In 2003, German graduate student Britta Späth embarked on a mathematical journey to tackle the McKay conjecture, a major problem in group theory. Alongside mathematician Marc Cabanes, the couple fell in love while working on the problem and eventually completed the proof, much to the awe of their colleagues. The conjecture focuses on the power of primes and the concept of looking at small parts of abstract objects to understand their broader properties. The breakthrough by Späth and Cabanes simplifies studying the structure of groups and opens the door to exploring deeper mathematical connections left unexplained. The couple’s dedication to this complex problem exemplifies the fight and purpose that drives mathematicians in their pursuit of knowledge.
https://www.quantamagazine.org/after-20-years-math-couple-solves-major-group-theory-problem-20250219/