The Erdos Number Calculator is a tool designed to determine a person’s Erdős number, which indicates their collaborative distance from the prolific mathematician Paul Erdős. This numerical value signifies how many degrees of separation exist between an individual and Erdős in terms of academic collaboration.
Formula of Erdos Number Calculator
The Erdos Number Calculator employs the following formula:
Erdos_number = min(collaborators' Erdos_numbers) + 1
Where:
- Erdos_number: Represents the Erdős number of the person in question.
- Collaborators’ Erdos_numbers: Denotes the Erdős numbers of all co-authors who have collaborated with the person.
- min: Represents the minimum value among all collaborators’ Erdos numbers.
- We add 1 because if the person has collaborated directly with Erdős, their Erdős number would be 1. If they collaborated with someone who collaborated with Erdős, their Erdős number would be 2, and so on.
General Terms Table
| Calculator Name | Key Features |
|---|---|
| The Erdős Number Project | Extensive database, historical data, collaboration graph visualization |
| The Bacon Number Project | Also calculates Erdős Numbers, fun interface, connects actors and mathematicians |
| Microsoft Academic Search | Comprehensive search of academic publications, detailed author profiles |
Example of Erdos Number Calculator
Let’s consider an example to illustrate how the Erdos Number Calculator works:
Suppose Alice has collaborated with Bob, who has an Erdős number of 3, and with Charlie, who has an Erdős number of 4. Alice’s Erdős number would be the minimum of Bob’s and Charlie’s Erdős numbers, which is 3. Adding 1 to that minimum value, Alice’s Erdős number would be 4.
Therefore, Alice’s Erdős number is 4, indicating that she is four degrees of separation away from Paul Erdős in terms of academic collaboration.
Most Common FAQs
A: Simply input the Erdős numbers of your collaborators separated by commas into the calculator, and it will determine your Erdős number based on the provided information.
A: A lower Erdős number indicates a closer connection to Paul Erdős and is often seen as a measure of one’s academic collaboration and influence within the mathematical community.
A: No, an Erdős number of 0 is not possible because it would imply direct collaboration with Paul Erdős himself, which is not feasible given his lifetime and the nature of academic collaboration.
A: Yes, several renowned mathematicians have notably low Erdős numbers, showcasing their extensive collaboration and influence within the field of mathematics.