Mathematician reveals "simple" solution to a problem that has not been solved for 160 years

This puzzled mathematicians for nearly 160 years, but an expert finally found a "simple" solution to Riemann's hypothesis.

Professor Michael Atiyah, a renowned mathematician who spent most of his academic life at the University of Cambridge, today revealed his solution to the Heidelberg Laureate Forum.

The 90-year-old expert described the solution as "simple," but said he was expecting some skepticism from mathematicians.

He said: "No one believes in a proof of Riemann's hypothesis, much less a 90-year proof."

Riemann's hypothesis is based on prime numbers – those which can not be divided by numbers other than themselves and another.

Although there is no precise method for predicting the next prime number, Berhard Reimann realized that the distribution of these numbers is very similar to a function called Riemann Zeta function:

ζ (s) = 1 / 1s + 1 / 2s + 1 / 3s + 1 / 4s + …. until infinity

But while Riemann observed it in action, he could not prove it.

If Professor Atiyah's solution – which he promises to use profane terms – is correct, he will be eligible for a million dollar prize.

But beyond that, his proof could have serious implications beyond theoretical mathematics.

Much of today's digital security relies on the random distribution of prime numbers – which means that a solution to the Riemann hypothesis could pose problems for cybersecurity.