Esther Szekeres facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Esther Szekeres
|
|
|---|---|
| Born |
Esther Klein
20 February 1910 |
| Died | 28 August 2005 (aged 95) |
| Nationality | Hungarian–Australian |
| Spouse(s) | George Szekeres |
| Children | 2 |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | Macquarie University |
Esther Szekeres (Hungarian: Klein Eszter) was a brilliant Hungarian–Australian mathematician. She was born on February 20, 1910, and passed away on August 28, 2005. She is well-known for her work in mathematics, especially a problem called the "Happy Ending problem."
Biography
Esther Klein was born in 1910 in Budapest, which was then part of the Kingdom of Hungary. She came from a Jewish family. As a young physics student in Budapest, Esther was part of a group of smart Hungarian students. This group included famous mathematicians like Paul Erdős, George Szekeres, and Pál Turán. They often met to discuss interesting math problems.
In 1933, Esther proposed a special math puzzle to her friends. It was a type of problem called a combinatorial problem, which deals with counting and arranging things. This problem became known as the Happy Ending problem. It got this name because it led to Esther marrying George Szekeres in 1937. They had two children together.
When World War II began, Esther and George Szekeres moved to Australia. Before reaching Australia, they lived for several years in Hongkew, a community in Shanghai, China, where many refugees found safety.
In Australia, they first lived in Adelaide with Márta Svéd, an old school friend of George. Later, in 1964, they moved to Sydney.
In Sydney, Esther became a lecturer at Macquarie University. She was very active in helping high-school students get excited about mathematics. In 1984, she helped start a weekly math enrichment meeting. This meeting grew into a large program with about 30 groups. These groups still meet every week and inspire high school students across Australia and New Zealand.
In 2004, Esther and George moved back to Adelaide. On August 28, 2005, Esther and her husband passed away within an hour of each other.
Recognition
Esther Szekeres received several honors for her contributions to mathematics.
- In 1990, Macquarie University gave her an honorary doctorate. This is a special degree given to someone to honor their achievements.
- In 1993, she won the BH Neumann Award from the Australian Mathematics Trust. This award recognizes people who have made a big difference in mathematics education.
See also
- In Spanish: Esther Szekeres para niños
