Maths mad billionaire offers $1m prize to find solution to maths theory

A billionaire is offering a $1m prize to anyone who can solve a maths problem.

Andrew Beal, a Dallas financier, is desperate for someone to find out the Beal Conjecture number theory problem - which has cast a shadow over mathematics since the 1980s - so much so he has put up the huge reward.

The American Mathematical Society confirmed it will award the $1m in exchange for the publication of the answer to the conundrum.

It is not the first time Andrew has offered a prize to someone who can solve the mystery. In 1997, he was prepared to give $5,000 to anyone who could work it out and the prize has grown substantially over the years.