What is so special about this: (1 Viewer)

[Registered User]

So I was looking at Terry Tao's (one of the best mathematicians alive) profile (http://mathoverflow.net/users/766/terry-tao) and I went through some of his questions and answers just out of curiosity and I came across this:

Every person who saw is was amazed by it. Since I am a noob can someone explain what this is about and what it so special about it? I'm just curious

 

[seanieg89]

Because it is the mathematical equivalent of using a sledgehammer to kill an ant, the DCT is a tool that takes some time to develop, it is regarded as a much deeper fact than the fact that the harmonic series diverges. Mathematicians find it funny when a powerful tool can be used to prove something really simple without circular logic.

 

[Registered User]

Thank you! This explains why they call it 'nuking mosquitos' haha