Remind Me: What’s the Enormous Theorem?

On the classification of finite simple groups.

In his Laureate Lecture at the 13th Heidelberg Laureate Forum, 1994 Fields Medalist Efim Zelmanov described the classification of finite simple groups, known colloquially as the enormous theorem – a triumph of collective human ingenuity that could become unfathomable unless serious efforts are made to retain understanding in the mathematics community.

This week on the HLFF Blog, Ben Skuse analyzes some of the key points from Zelmanov’s lecture at the 13th HLF: Remind Me: What’s the Enormous Theorem?

Image caption: Zelmanov during his Lecture at the 13th Heidelberg Laureate Forum 2026. Image credits: HLFF / Flemming