a problem in functional analysis that erdos solved in 2 lines

does anyone know about what the problem was and what was his solution.

[Edit by quid:] please follow the link before trying to answer, there is already quite a bit of relevant information behind the link. [End edit]

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May be that was a half-page proof that $\pi$ is transcendental using $\Gamma$-functions? –  Victor Mar 1 '13 at 7:31
@Victor: Hmmm..I would rather consider $\Gamma$-functions as part of real analysis than Functional Analysis. –  Chandrasekhar Mar 1 '13 at 7:39
Dear Koushik, if you had added more context to the question, we could have avoided some unnecessary speculation among the commenters who didn't bother to click through. –  S. Carnahan Mar 1 '13 at 8:29
This should be closed in favor of the stack exchange question, in light of the quality of the answers there. It's hard to do much better than have the actual source of the anecdote answer. –  arsmath Mar 1 '13 at 20:18
This should absolutely not be closed, because we still don't know what the problem was, much less P.E.'s solution! The information given at mathstackexchange was curiously and frustratingly incomplete. –  Todd Trimble Mar 2 '13 at 2:11

1 Answer

Hi In 'The man who loved only numbers'by Paul Hoffman relates the story on page 49, but there is no mention of the actual problem or solution. The story was retold by George Purdy of Texas A & M.

Ron Hallam

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This is not really your fault (but the questioners), yet this and quite a bit more is already documented behind the link; even George Purdy himself commented there. –  quid Mar 1 '13 at 20:00
both problem much less the solution is given there.i may be very much possible that someone here might be knowing that. –  Koushik Mar 2 '13 at 3:53