//------------------------------// // Theory to Application // Story: Sugar, Cubed // by BlazzingInferno //------------------------------// Double Factorial stood at the podium. “And the regional winner of the one hundred forty-fourth annual math competition of the Equestrian Math Club, who will progress to the final round, is–” a hush fell over the audience “–Maud Pie, for her unprecedented solution to Furmat’s Last Theorem.” The cheers that erupted through the crowd were mixed with gasps. Twilight and Luna stared at each other. Luna pointed at the stage. “Did he say…” “Furmat’s Last Theorem? That problem’s been unsolved for… for…” Luna nodded. “Two thousand years.” Double Factorial tapped on the microphone again. “Care to come up and share a few words, Maud? Perhaps a preview of your formal proof?” The crowd fell silent again as Maud left the first row and stepped onto the stage. When she reached the microphone, she stared out at the crowd with a perfectly stone-faced expression. “I work on a rock farm. Last month when I was rotating granite in the South field, I accidentally found a link between elliptic curves and modular forms, two previously unrelated branches of mathematics. A proof to Furmat’s theorem was the inevitable consequence. I don’t yet know how this will apply to my larger body of work in geology.” Her emotionless stare was met with slowly growing applause. By the time Double Factorial had resumed his position at the microphone, the crowd seemed to have regained its full enthusiasm. When they had finally quieted down he tapped on the microphone once more. “On behalf of myself and the other judges I’d like to thank all of you who put so much time and effort into advancing not only mathematics, but the pony way of life that’s increasingly dependent on it. Advance copies of all the contest entries, including Maud’s groundbreaking work, are available at the back of the–” Twilight’s focus on the stage broke when she heard her friend sniffling. “Applejack? What’s wrong?” “It’s nothing Twi, just let me be. I should’ve never come here.” Ponies left their seats as Double Factorial adjourned the meeting. Applejack stayed seated, and Twilight didn’t leave her side. “Applejack, you’ve been acting weird ever since I ran into you. I’m your friend. Please tell me what’s wrong.” Applejack pulled off her hat and wiped it across her tear-streaked face. “I know it’s silly, but part of me actually thought I’d win this thing. Not for me, but for my… my dad. These numbers… this math was his life, and because of him it’s been part of mine too. He smiled through things that would’ve plumb sent me over the edge. He lived his whole life on the farm without any special schooling for his talents, and after he and Ma… after they were gone, I just did the same. I never told anypony because… well, I don’t rightly know anymore, just fillyhood fears about how I’d get treated.” Twilight stared at the floor. “Applejack, I… I can’t imagine what you’ve gone through. I’m so sorry if I made it worse.” Applejack wiped her eyes one more time and returned the now-damp hat to her head. “It’s not on you, Twi; it’s me. I passed up college, stallions, and plenty more to keep the family together and the farm alive. Pa deserved some recognition for all he did, and some fool part of me thought I could give it to him.” “Excuse me, Miss Applejack?” She and Twilight looked up to see Luna and Double Factorial standing in front of them. She blinked away the last few tears. “Yes?” “Princess Luna here tells me that you’re the author of the Apple Distribution? You’re SC?” “That’s right. Doesn’t quite measure up to cracking some two-thousand-year-old puzzle, I guess.” “Yes, well, I daresay Miss Pie’s talents are something else entirely… but I came over here to discuss your work.” “What about it?” He adjusted the glasses perched on his nose. “Well… how do I put it… this contest only bothers with first place. If we were a tad more broad in our recognition, you could’ve easily captured third or even second; no offense intended, Princess Luna.” Luna rolled her eyes and sighed. “None taken. Please continue.” “I suppose what I mean to say is, this contest highlights one big, flashy contribution to a field of study that most ponies consider boring. Maud’s proof will make headlines, but your work has a chance of bettering our way of life. That’s why I started in this field, and I’m sure many would say the same. I’d like to shake your hoof and say I look forward to whatever you decide to work on next. Where did you receive your degree?” She opened her mouth but didn’t speak for a moment. “That’s… that’s some high praise for a farmer like me. I don’t have any degree, unless you count bucking apples.” His eyebrows shot up, which prompted him to adjust his glasses again. “You mean to say you have no advanced mathematical education, that with no formal training you… my word… would you be interested in a scholarship? I’ll have my secretary draw up the paperwork and send it by mail; please do consider it.” She looked just as surprised as he did. “Scholarship? You’d admit an old farm hoof like me to–” “Excuse me.” Maud was standing on the other side of Luna, still bearing the same emotionless expression. “I just read your paper. It was brilliant.” Luna smiled. “Why thank you, Maud, I’ve studied planetary motion for–” “Oh, sorry. I meant her.” Applejack stared at the hoof pointing at her. “You read my whole paper, just now? How’d you even know it’s mine?” “I read all of them. I singled you out through process of elimination. Yours was my favorite.” “But… but you won, Maud; you won hooves down.” “Your discovery might actually be applicable to my field. I’d like to try your distribution against my work in rock farming.” Applejack matched her blank stare. “Can’t really say that apples and rocks have that much in common, but suit yourself I guess.” Maud nodded. “I’ll keep you apprised of my findings.” As Maud walked away, Luna gave her a withering glare. “I have been doing vector calculus since her precious rocks were formed from dust… What ever happened to all the theorists and astronomers?” Twilight put a hoof around her friend. “I think you just won your dad some pretty big recognition, Applejack. A chairpony from the biggest university in Equestria, and… well Maud’s going to be in history books.” Applejack gave a tiny nod. A hint of a smile was forming on her face. “I guess I did. Thanks, Twi. I wouldn’t have been able to see this through without a good friend like you by my side.” Twilight pulled her into a hug. “Any time, Applejack. I can’t wait to see what you work on next.” “Next?” “I doubt your dad wanted you to stop after just one paper. I’m sure he would’ve wanted you to pursue your talents and be happy.” Applejack took a deep breath and stood. “You’re right, and I’m never gonna be happy if I keep this up.” “Huh?” “The Apple Distribution was his work, Twilight; I just put the final touches on what he wasn’t around to finish. I’m glad I did it, but it’s high time I moved onto some research of my own.” “That’s great! What’re you going to study?” She shrugged and smiled big. “Don’t quite know yet. Give me a lifetime, I’ll think of something. Just make sure you save me a spot at the next club meeting.”