The elementary theory of the field of p-adic numbers found its proof of decidability through the work of Yury Yershov. Born in 1940 in Novosibirsk, he developed a career spanning decades within the Soviet and Russian mathematical establishments, focusing primarily on algebra, mathematical logic, and the structural properties of fields as a researcher and educator.
Academic Foundation
Yershov began his formal studies at Tomsk State University in 1958, transferring to complete his degree at the Mathematical Department of Novosibirsk State University in 1963. Under the supervision of Anatoly Maltsev, he obtained his doctoral qualification in 1964 with a thesis on decidable and undecidable theories. He later secured a Doctor of Sciences in Physics and Mathematics in 1966 by defending his work on the elementary theory of fields.
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Since 1963, Yershov has maintained a presence at the Sobolev Institute of Mathematics, where he currently serves as director. His tenure at Novosibirsk State University included several leadership roles, serving as dean of the Mathematical Department from 1973 to 1976 and as rector between 1985 and 1993. Beyond administrative duties, he contributes to the field as editor-in-chief for the Siberian Mathematical Journal and the journal Algebra i Logika.
Mathematical Contributions
His research interests cover model theory, algorithm theory, and constructive models. Among his mathematical results are the undecidability of the elementary theory of finite symmetric groups and the decidability of the theory concerning relatively complemented distributive lattices. His influence extends to international forums, having served as an invited speaker at the International Congress of Mathematicians in Moscow in 1966 and in Nice in 1970.
Distinctions and Oversight
Yershov became a Correspondent Member of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR in 1970 and a Full Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 1990. His career has been marked by multiple state decorations, including the Order of the Red Banner of Labour, the Order of the Badge of Honour, and both the 3rd and 4th classes of the Order For Merit to the Fatherland. In 2013, he was awarded the Demidov Prize.
Fast facts
- Born: 1940, Novosibirsk
- Primary Fields: Algebra, Mathematical Logic
- Academic Degree: Doctor of Sciences in Physics and Mathematics
- Rector of Novosibirsk State University: 1986–1993
- Demidov Prize recipient: 2013
- Languages: Russian
Questions readers ask
Where did Yury Yershov conduct most of his work?
He has been based at the Sobolev Institute of Mathematics SB RAS and Novosibirsk State University for the duration of his career.
What is his core area of mathematical research?
His work focuses on algebra, mathematical logic, field theory, and model theory.
Achievements
- Order of the Badge of Honour
- Order of the Red Banner of Labour
- Order of Alexander Nevsky
- Demidov Prize — 2013
- Maltsev Prize
- Held posts at Sobolev Institute of Mathematics SB RAS and Novosibirsk State University
- Fields: algebra, mathematical logic and mathematics
