The Mathematician Who Changed the Rules

László Lovász transformed discrete mathematics by repeatedly solving problems with ideas that seemed to belong somewhere else. He used topology to prove Kneser’s conjecture, introduced the theta function in 1979 to determine the Shannon capacity of the pentagon, and co-created the LLL lattice-reduction algorithm in 1982. His work connected graph theory with information, optimization, number theory and computer science. After decades of research and mathematical leadership, he shared the 2021 Abel Prize with Avi.

Lovász's career reveals how breakthroughs often happen when mathematical boundaries are ignored. A topology theorem solved a combinatorics problem; vectors cracked Shannon's stubborn pentagon; and an algorithm created for polynomial factorization became a standard weapon in number theory and cryptanalysis. His ideas helped build the bridge between discrete mathematics and theoretical computer science. Following those connections shows why Lovász became one of the central architects of modern combinatorics and.