"We say a mathematical theory is decidable if there is an effective method of determining the validity of each statement of the theory. If there is no such method, the theory is undecidable. It is clear that if there is a mechanical way of transforming each statement of an undecidable theory into an equivalent statement of another theory, the second theory is also undecidable. This principle, together with the fact that the arithmetic of natural numbers is undecidable, enables us to solve the decision problem for fields of finite degree over the rationals."
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Women academics from the United StatesMathematicians from the United StatesMacArthur FellowsLogicians from the United StatesWomen scientists from the United States
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(quote from p. 950)
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Julia Robinson
Julia Hall Bowman Robinson (December 8, 1919 – July 30, 1985) was an American mathematician and logician noted for her contributions to the fields of computability theory and computational complexity theory—most notably in decision problems. Her work on Hilbert's tenth problem (now known as Matiyasevich's theorem or the MRDP theorem) played a crucial role in its ultimate resolution. She was elected a member of the United States National of Academy of Science in 1975.
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