Rain stones in the rise of mathematicians

2001 State Supreme science and technology prize, the winner of mathematician Wu Wenjun\'s family is very general. But it is rare: father taught his son one of the most valuable things--seizing every moment to \"condition\" limit the cracks in the \"pin\" work harvest, for me, turn negative factors into favourable factors. This appears to be someone actually never stop pursuing the attached; this suspected no life moments in each rope, alert intelligently seized the opportunity, as fine as the same spirit, won a new Vista for himself, won a remarkable great achievements.

Turning negative into a favourable

Wu Wenjun was born in May 1919, with his ancestral hometown in Zhejiang jiaxing. Because of war moved to high terrain, far from the war of qingpuxian zhujiajiao. Grandfather is a scholar, teaches old-style private schools in the country for a living. Father Wu Futong born at the Sino-Japanese war was defeated during the various sectors of the nation from subjugation and seek to change, although the hundred days of reform failed, but Western has been overwhelming. Father attending Shanghai Nanyang public school, scientific culture and education, at the same time as he laid a good foundation in English. Shanghai is the scientific centre, publishing new book Center, which Wu Futong provided an excellent learning environment for youth, but also for the fact, Wu Wenjun the rise of its fertile soil.

Wu Wenjun nurtured since childhood by the father of democratic thought. He was the eldest son, there are two sisters and one brother. Brother accidentally fell down the stairs, who died after this great impact to Wu Wenjun parents. Pain of losing child plus so that Wu Wenjun to be an only son, he naturally became the parents of the baby, centralizing whole family love. He was sent at the age of 4 to a lane primary school studies, courses simple, there are many free time. Working in medical publishing house compiled\'s father has a large number of books, often pointing to the books say, what about more than fun outside! Poen to complex with a laptop opened, first explained to him, are after guidance, hands-on take him a little introduced a vast knowledge of the oceans, taught and trained his extraordinary ability to study independently. Books make Wu Wenjun the interest, and it has found interest in fun. And once in the science of music, his enthusiasm for learning is as rapid as nuclear reactors. Claustrophobic while reading of life also developed a habit of him hit the jackpot, and this is one of the most important substrate of a scientists in particular mathematicians. The most valuable is that this \"condition\" cracks \"pin\", turn negative factors into favourable matrix naturally through seepage into the hearts of his young, become instinct of self-consciousness in his long life in the future, is also one of his very important factor for success.

Study of self-study for axe

Turmoil times of war a quiet desk without a to Wu Wenjun. Eventually became a mathematician he previous mathematics in junior middle school is not solid. He had moved to the country to study. In schools from school days, he quietly sit down and learn. Gave him the father of the \"learning\" and \"mountain axe\" in the war made him break to the mountains in advance.

The fall of 1933, Wu Wenjun studied at began middle school. This is the beginning of his career as a regular reading. Began middle school teacher studying for long. Teachers are responsible, in accordance with their aptitude as he laid a good foundation. At the same time, he also reached in rigorous training in English read and write freely. See Wu Wenjun geometry so well, teachers often give him lots of exercises do, also kaixiaozao him. Wu Wenjun high school graduation, in fact interested in physics instead of mathematics. A physical examination is difficult, he did score well. Graduate schools to discuss admission, physics teacher recommended him to his unique eyes math. He finds his good physical exam because math, and studying mathematics so that he can be more better play. Thus, in 1936 he was admission to the Nanyang University (now Shanghai Jiaotong University), Department of mathematics.

Third year studying real variable function theory, he dominated by self-study, read classic. Have a real function on the basis of quickly into Cantor\'s set theory, studying point set topology. Because of these successes, in October 1947 he was recommended to go to Europe, to study in Paris. This he achieved performance of gold in the early days of the Department. Characteristic class of key results achieved and siyanluode operation, known as the \"Wu (first) formula\", revealed not only affect future developments in topology and related areas, also opened a new direction.

In 1949, he won the France State doctorate. Autumn of the same year, h · when invited into Paris France National Centre for scientific research work. On a differential manifold introduced a class of characteristic class, established effects for the fill,-Whitney characteristic class of relationship, this is called on the international \"Wu (second) formula\". As highly in Shiing-shen Chern, which on a fibre bundle landmark contribution to the study on the characteristic class.

Dragon\'s heart for the country to

Father\'s patriotic sentiments also nourish the growth of Wu Wenjun. Wu Wenjun the Nanyang University during the Japanese invasion of China, the school moved to concession, zhengshi scholarship suspended for middle school, became a traitor of the reformist members of the Government of being started high school principal Chen Qun, Wu Wenjun of appreciating mathematics, personally find Wu Wenjun, said to finance his studies, was roundly rejected by Wu Wenjun. Parents of integrity, honesty and deeds shaped his personality: he sincere, polite, sincere, friendly, fame, meticulous, never impetuous. A large number of cultural and historical books and arouse his ancient Saints hero free, bold and unrestrained by the powerful, military strategy in mind, the heroic complex of deep heart.

Also is this lofty patriotic enthusiasm of dual education casting, the eminent Wu Wenjun abandoned foreign positioned decided to return. He returned to Shanghai in July 1951, Institute of mathematics in China in 1952, becoming one of the greatest mathematician of international reputation in mainland China, mathematical community around the world are looking at his work.

Even in the \"cultural revolution\" period, he also did not give up study. Mathematics called learn a little history, Wu Wenjun seized the opportunity, justifiably countersunk maths history and a lot of research, his papers on the history of mathematics, the mathematics of great contributions to world culture in ancient China put forward creative ideas. In this way, he feel insecure in the political turmoil of different from ordinary people access to a fruitful outcome, China entered a new stage of the study of the history of mathematics. His pioneering and carrying forward the traditional culture of China, history according to the scientific method to show the world the brilliance of the ancient Chinese mathematics achievement, eloquently clarifies questions the existence of a value of mathematics in ancient China, affirmed China\'s position in the mathematical sciences in the world.

After the reform and opening up, he was a menace in the work. In 1984 he served as Chinese society, in 1990 into the mathematics mechanization Research Centre, 1992 national climbing project \"proving and application\" Chief expert. Mathematical and physical science prize in 1993, Tan Kah Kee, Hong Kong in 1994 seeking Foundation \"outstanding scientist Award\". In 1997, of the decision problem and mechanization elementary geometry problems published in the Chinese science, enabling efficient geometric theorem proving. Provide guidance to the development of mathematics mechanization for the mathematical sciences, carried out the study, will affect the entire mathematical research methods and approaches, will also affect the whole of mathematics thought and understanding. His pioneering contribution in mathematics mechanization research made him won the award for highest in the international field of automated reasoning--hebulan Award for outstanding achievement in automated reasoning, approved by the State Supreme science and technology award.