ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Supersingular variety

Suppose you have a shape, like a circle or a square. Imagine that you can move this shape around and stretch it, but you can't change the basic shape. Now, if you study how these shapes behave when you move and stretch them, you will find that some shapes are easier to work with than others. One type of shape that is particularly interesting is called a "supersingular variety".

A supersingular variety is like a very special type of shape. It has certain properties that make it behave in a very unique and special way. To understand what these properties are, let's imagine a world where shapes are made up of points.

For example, a circle is made up of many points that are all the same distance away from a center point. A square is made up of four points that are connected to each other by lines. Now, imagine a supersingular variety as a shape that is made up of points, but these points have a special relationship with each other.

In a supersingular variety, the points are arranged in such a way that they create a very symmetrical pattern. This means that if you rotate the shape, it will look the same as before. For example, if you rotate a square by 90 degrees, it will still look like a square. This symmetry is a very important characteristic of a supersingular variety.

Another interesting property of a supersingular variety is that it has a very smooth surface. If you imagine running your finger along the surface of a shape, you will find that some surfaces are rough and bumpy, while others are very smooth. A supersingular variety has a surface that is extremely smooth, almost like it has been polished.

Now, you might be wondering why supersingular varieties are important and how they are used. Well, mathematicians and scientists study these shapes because they can help us understand the deeper structure of mathematics. They are particularly useful in studying something called elliptic curves, which are mathematical objects that have applications in fields like computer science and cryptography.

By studying supersingular varieties, mathematicians can gain insights into how these shapes behave and how they can be used. They can also investigate connections between supersingular varieties and other areas of mathematics, leading to new discoveries and advancements in our understanding of the world around us.

So, in summary, a supersingular variety is a special type of shape made up of points that have a symmetrical pattern and a very smooth surface. These shapes are important in mathematics and have applications in various fields. Studying supersingular varieties can help us uncover new knowledge and make important discoveries.