Known as the Nobel prize of mathematics, the honor -- which is presented every four years in a different city -- was hosted this year by Philadelphia.

It was awarded to Chinese mathematicians Hong Wang and Yu Deng, American John Pardon, and Canada's Jacob Tsimerman.

The prize is a gold medallion bearing the likeness of Archimedes and comes with an award of 15,000 Canadian dollars (17,000 US dollars). It is given by the International Mathematical Union.

It is a recognition of outstanding discoveries by researchers under the age of 40.