An unsolved math problem is a mathematical question or conjecture that has not been proven or solved within a specific field of mathematics.
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An unsolved math problem is a question or conjecture in the field of mathematics that has not been proven or solved. Such problems are often highly complex and require advanced knowledge and skills to even begin to approach a solution.
One example of an unsolved math problem is the Riemann Hypothesis, which was introduced by mathematician Bernhard Riemann in 1859. The hypothesis posits that all non-trivial zeros of the Riemann zeta function lie on the critical line in the complex plane. It has tantalized mathematicians for over a century and remains one of the most famous unsolved math problems.
Another unsolved math problem is the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer Conjecture, which deals with mathematical objects known as elliptic curves. It remains unsolved despite decades of work by some of the world’s most respected mathematicians.
According to Fields Medalist Timothy Gowers, “Perhaps the main reason why mathematics is an interesting and important subject is that its problems can be difficult, and because there is no limit to the number of unsolved problems we can try to solve.”
This sentiment is echoed by mathematician Andrew Wiles, who spent years working on the proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem, which had been unsolved for over 350 years. He said, “What motivates me is the thrill of the chase, the challenge of the pursuit—in particular, the challenge of solving problems that people say can’t be solved.”
Here is a table of some famous unsolved math problems:
| Problem | Description |
|---|---|
| Riemann Hypothesis | All non-trivial zeros of the Riemann zeta function lie on the critical line in the complex plane. |
| Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer Conjecture | Dealing with elliptic curves, specifically the connection between the rank of a curve and the number of rational points on it. |
| Collatz Conjecture | A sequence of numbers is created by repeatedly applying the same rule: if the number is even, divide it by two; if it is odd, multiply it by three and add one. The conjecture states that no matter what number you start with, the sequence will eventually reach 1. |
| P vs. NP | Lays out the relationship between two types of problems in computer science. It asks whether every solution to a problem can be efficiently verified by a computer (without actually having to solve the problem), can every problem with a solution be efficiently solved by a computer? |
| Navier-Stokes Equations | These equations describe how fluids such as water or air flow. While progress has been made, there are still many open questions about whether solutions always exist and how to find them. |
Despite the fact that these problems remain unsolved, there is a thriving culture of mathematicians working tirelessly to advance our understanding and find solutions. The quest to solve these problems is what drives many mathematicians to pursue their studies and make new discoveries.
Video related “What is an unsolved math problem?”
The “4 Weird Unsolved Mysteries of Math” video has presented four intriguing mathematical problems that have yet to be solved, starting with the Moving Sofa Problem, which focuses on finding the largest sofa that can be turned around a 90-degree corner without lifting it. The video also mentioned the Worm Problem or the Mother Worm’s Blanket, which involves finding the smallest blanket that can cover a sleeping baby worm in any position. Another problem is the shortest forest path, which aims to find the shortest path out of a specific shape of the forest, while the Magic Square of Squares problem is to find a functional 3×3 magic square made solely of square numbers. Despite the endless efforts of scientists and mathematicians alike, these challenges still remain unresolved, and many believe that they may never be solved in the future.
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An unsolved math problem, also known to mathematicians as an “open” problem, is a problem that no one on earth knows how to solve.
An unsolved math problem, also known as an “open” problem, is a problem that no one on earth knows how to solve. There are many unsolved problems in mathematics, including the Goldbach conjecture, the Riemann hypothesis, the conjecture that there exists a Hadamard matrix for every positive multiple of 4, and the twin prime conjecture.
An unsolved math problem, also known to mathematicians as an “open” problem, is a problem that no one on earth knows how to solve.
There are many unsolved problems in mathematics. Some prominent outstanding unsolved problems (as well as some which are not necessarily so well known) include 1. The Goldbach conjecture. 2. The Riemann hypothesis. 3. The conjecture that there exists a Hadamard matrix for every positive multiple of 4. 4. The twin prime conjecture (i.e., the conjecture that there are an infinite number of twin
There are many unsolved problems in mathematics that involve calculus, however the mechanics and concepts of calculus itself are well cemented and put on a completely rigorous foundation.
There are a great many nonlinear partial differential equations that remain unsolved. These problems are expressed using the mechanics of calculus. A specific example would be the Navier-Stokes existence and smoothness Millennium Prize problem:
Navier–Stokes existence and smoothness – Wikipedia [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navier%E2%80%93Stokes_existence_and_smoothness ]