Remembering Academician Yang Le: "We must write the names of Chinese people in mathematics books"

October 22, 2023

Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, famous mathematician

Yang Le, the first president of the Institute of Mathematics and Systems Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

Died in Beijing due to ineffective treatment

Yang Le was once the "scientific idol" of a generation

At the age of 41, he became the youngest member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Academician) at that time.

By the famous mathematician Hua Luogeng

International mathematics master Shiing-Shen Chern affectionately called him "junior brother"

Born in 1939, he

Dedicated his life to mathematical research

It also witnessed the development of contemporary Chinese mathematics.

Young people with high ambitions are devoted to scientific research

Yang Le has a strong interest in mathematics

He showed his talent in mathematics when he was in school.

When he was in the third year of junior high school, he found the math test questions from the national college entrance examination.

I found that I couldn't do one question.

When he was in the first year of high school, he wrote

Write down the two words "Zhongke"

I look forward to joining the Chinese Academy of Sciences to specialize in mathematics research

After graduating from the Department of Mathematics and Mechanics of Peking University in 1962

He was admitted to the Institute of Mathematics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences as a graduate student

Then stay and work

In the third month of postgraduate study

Yang Le completed his paper "The Multivalues ​​of Meromorphic Functions and Function Combinations"

And further completed four papers written in French

Until decades later

These articles are still cited in many important works

He conducted in-depth research in the field of complex analysis

Especially the value distribution theory of entire functions and meromorphic functions

Made a systematic and in-depth contribution

In 1976, a devastating earthquake struck Tangshan.

After the earthquake, everyone lived in earthquake-resistant tents

But Yang Le still works alone in the building

He did not think much about the risk of aftershocks.

I just feel the quiet and empty corridor

It is an environment where you can better study academics.

In 1977, Yang Le (right) and Zhang Guanghou discussed issues together

February 26, 1977

People's Daily published an important report on the front page

"Yang Le and Zhang Guanghou achieved important results in their research on function theory"

This research result was named "Yang-Zhang Theorem"

The dream of "writing the names of Chinese people in mathematics books"

Became a reality

Paving the way for young talents

Since the 1980s

Yang Le took on a lot of academic organization work

Served as Director of the Institute of Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Chairman of the Chinese Mathematical Society

First Dean of the Institute of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences

He has made great achievements in scientific research.

Always remember to guide young people

In 1996, he collaborated with Shing-Tung Yau

Established the Morningside Mathematics Center at the Chinese Academy of Sciences

Aims to train and cultivate outstanding young mathematicians

In addition, he also called for better treatment of intellectuals

Create conditions to encourage young scholars to study abroad

He also made every effort to promote the hosting of the International Congress of Mathematicians in Beijing

Lu Yongxiang (first from right), Yang Le (center), and Qiu Chengtong at the 60th anniversary conference of the Chinese Mathematical Society in May 1995

In Yang Le's opinion

Mathematics is a very useful tool

It has an increasingly important position in academic history

He once published a signed article in Guangming Daily

How to learn mathematics well in middle school

Pointed out that "mathematics is not only a basic subject,

It can also provide a good training for thinking.

Learning mathematics well will not happen overnight.

It is a gradual process.

As long as everyone can persevere,

will definitely increase your interest and master the content.

Math is no longer a daunting task.”

“We need to train a large number of mathematicians.”

He also has high hopes for the new generation of young students.

In his article "Three Realms of Scientific Research"

He hopes to solve the problems faced by future generations in scientific research.

Possible problems and troubles

Encourage students to develop a good study style

He also often uses his own personal experiences and those of older scientists as examples.

Encourage young students

Yang Le once encouraged contemporary middle school students

"Learning and becoming a talent is a long process. You must be mentally prepared for long-term efforts and have the spirit of hard work and perseverance. You can't just struggle for a period of time, but you must persevere like running a marathon, make continuous progress, and improve your level."

He used his life story

Inspiring every young student

Academician biography: Academician Yang Le was born on November 10, 1939 in Nantong, Jiangsu Province. He graduated from the Department of Mathematics and Mechanics of Peking University (six-year system) in 1962. In the same year, he was admitted to the Institute of Mathematics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences as a graduate student under the tutelage of Professor Xiong Qinglai. After graduation in 1966, he stayed at the institute to work. In 1980, he was elected as a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 1987, he became the director of the Institute of Mathematics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 1992, he became the chairman of the Chinese Mathematical Society. In 1996, he founded the Morningside Mathematics Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 1998, he became the first dean of the Institute of Mathematics and Systems Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He was once the vice chairman of the All-China Youth Federation, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and a member of the Standing Committee of the China Association for Science and Technology.

Review expert: Luo Xingbo (Center for Modern Scientists, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Author: Cai Lin Song Yajuan

References: China Science Daily, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Southeast University, etc.