ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Minakshisundaram–Pleijel zeta function

Okay kiddo, let’s talk about the MinakshiSundaram-Pleijel zeta function. It’s a mathematical way of studying the behavior of certain types of curves and shapes, like circles or triangles.

When you draw a shape like a circle, you can measure different things about it, like how long its perimeter is or how much space it takes up. But mathematicians are really interested in a special kind of measurement called the eigenvalue.

An eigenvalue is kind of like a secret code that tells you how a shape vibrates when you hit it or shake it. It’s like a musical note that the shape can play, making different sounds depending on how the shape is shaking.

Now, the MinakshiSundaram-Pleijel zeta function uses these eigenvalues to tell us more about the shape. For example, how many eigenvalues does it have? How do they relate to each other in different shapes?

It’s kind of like a detective work: by studying the eigenvalues of various shapes, we can discover cool things about them. And that’s what the MinakshiSundaram-Pleijel zeta function helps us do. It helps us see the mathematical patterns in different shapes and the secrets they hold.