In which of these fields is a Nobel Prize not given: physics, mathematics, or literature?

The Nobel Prizes, established by the will of Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, are among the most esteemed international awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to humanity. These prestigious accolades are presented annually in the fields of physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and peace. While physics and literature are among the original categories specified by Nobel, mathematics is notably absent from the list of disciplines for which a Nobel Prize is awarded. A sixth prize, the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, was later established in 1968 by Sweden's central bank in memory of Alfred Nobel, but it is not one of the original prizes.

The exact reasons for Alfred Nobel's omission of mathematics from his will have been a subject of much speculation. Popular myths, such as a personal rivalry or jealousy involving Nobel and a mathematician, have been debunked by historical research, as Nobel was never married. More credible explanations suggest that Nobel, an industrialist and inventor, was primarily interested in rewarding discoveries with immediate and practical benefits to humanity. At the time, mathematics may have been perceived as a more abstract and theoretical field. Additionally, some historians propose that Nobel might have felt there was no need for a new prize in mathematics, given the existence of other prominent awards for mathematicians in Sweden.

Despite the absence of a dedicated Nobel Prize, mathematical excellence is celebrated through other highly regarded international awards. The Fields Medal, often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of Mathematics," is awarded every four years to mathematicians under 40 who have made significant contributions. Another significant honor is the Abel Prize, established in 2002 by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, which is designed to be directly comparable to the Nobel Prize and recognizes lifetime achievement in mathematics. These awards ensure that groundbreaking work in mathematics receives the global recognition it deserves, even without a Nobel Prize in the field. It's also worth noting that mathematicians have sometimes been recognized in other Nobel categories, particularly in physics and economics, when their mathematical insights have clear real-world applications.