Skip to content
1047 problems

Open problems

Each problem states how progress is verified and what counts as a contribution. Besides the problems curated here, the catalogue includes open conjectures from Formal Conjectures (with Lean statements), optimization constants and the AlphaEvolve problems. Know one that belongs here? Propose a problem.

Not sure where to start? Get a task picked for you →

1047 shown· page 4 of 21

B Analysis · Optimization constants

Bloch’s constant

Let D=\z∈ℂ:lvert zrvert<1\. Following standard notation, let F be the class of holomorphic functions f:D→ℂ normalized by lvert f'(0)rvert=1 (equivalently, after rotation, f'(0)=1).

No claims yet Be the first →
B Geometry · AlphaEvolve problems

Block Stacking Problem

Let n ≥ 1. Let C(n) be the largest displacement that the n^th block in a stack of identical rigid rectangular blocks of width 1 can be displaced horizontally over the edge of a table, with the stack remaining stable.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Analysis · Optimization constants

Bohnenblust–Hille constant on the Boolean cube

Degree at most d functions f:lbrace ± 1rbrace^n→ℝ have Fourier–Walsh expansion f(x)=Σ_S⊆ [n], |S|≤ d widehat f(S) x^S, x^S:=Π_i∈ Sx_i, [n]:=lbrace 1,…,nrbrace. For d∈ℕ set p_d:=2d/d+1.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Analysis · Optimization constants

Bohr radius for the bidisc

Let D^d := z=(z_1,…,z_d)∈ℂ^d: lvert z_1rvert,…,lvert z_drvert<1 be the unit polydisc, and let the Schur class S_d be the set of analytic functions f:D^dtoD.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Analysis · AlphaEvolve problems

Borcea's Conjecture

For any 1 ≤ p < ∞ and n ≥ 2, let C(p,n) be the smallest constant such that for any complex polynomial f of degree n with zeroes z_1,…,z_n satisfying 1/n Σ_i=1^n |z_i|^p ≤ 1, and every zero f(ζ)=0 of f, there exists a critical point f'(ξ) = 0 of f with |ξ - ζ| ≤ C(p,n). What is C(p,n)?

No claims yet Be the first →
B Number theory · Optimization constants

Bounded prime gap constant

Let p_n denote the n-th prime. The bounded prime gap constant is C_88a = H_1 := liminf_n → ∞ (p_n+1 - p_n), the least limit point of the sequence of gaps between consecutive primes.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Analysis · Optimization constants

Brennan's conjecture exponent

Let Ω⊂ℂ be simply connected with at least two boundary points in the extended complex plane, and let φ:ΩtoD be a conformal map. Brennan's conjecture states that ∫_Ωlvert φ'(z)rvert^p dx dy < ∞ qquadwhenever 4/3<p<4.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Analysis · Optimization constants

Brezis–Gallouet–Wainger remainder constant on the 2D torus

C_16 = L is the smallest constant for which the sharp Brezis–Gallouet inequality ‖u‖_L^∞(T^2)^2 ≤ 1/4π ‖∇ u‖_L^2(T^2)^2 Bigl[lnδ(u) + lnbigl(1+lnδ(u)bigr) + LBigr] holds for all zero-mean functions u ∈ H^2(T^2) with sufficiently large frequency ratio δ(u) := ‖Δ u‖_L^2(T^2)^2/‖∇ u‖_L^2(T^2)^2.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Number theory · Optimization constants

Brun's Constant

C_81a, Brun's Constant, is the sum of the reciprocals of the twin primes.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Analysis · Optimization constants

Centered Hardy–Littlewood maximal constant in dimension 2

In ℝ^d (d≥ 1), let M_d denote the centered Hardy–Littlewood maximal operator associated to cubes, defined by M_d f(x) := sup_r>0 1/lvert Q(x,r)rvert∫_Q(x,r) lvert f(y)rvert dy, where Q(x,r) is a closed ℓ_∞ ball of radius r and center x in ℝ^d, that is, a closed cube centered at x, with sides…

No claims yet Be the first →
B Probability · Optimization constants

Chvátal–Sankoff constant for a binary alphabet

Let λ_n,2 be the random variable assigning two uniformly random binary strings of length n the length of their longest common subsequence. Then C_31a is the (well-defined) limit C_31a := lim_n → inftyE[λ_n,2]/n.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Number theory · Optimization constants

Classical zero-free region constant

C_8 = R is the least constant such that there are no zeroes σ+it of the Riemann zeta function with lvert t rvert ≥ 2 and σ > 1 - 1/R log lvert t rvert.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Probability · Optimization constants

Constant term of one-shot channel simulation

The constant term of one-shot channel simulation [HJMR07], [BG14], [LEG18], [Li25] is given as (we use the definition in [Li25]) C_32=limsup_t→∞(sup_p_X,Y: I(X;Y)=t inf_p_S|X,Y: I(X;S)=0H(Y|S)-t-log_2t), where H(Ylvert S)=H(Y,S)-H(S) is the conditional entropy (in bits), and I(X;Y)=H(X)+H(Y)-H(X,Y)…

No claims yet Be the first →
B Graph theory · Optimization constants

Conway thrackle constant

In topological graph theory, a thrackle is a drawing of a finite graph in the plane in which every pair of edges meets precisely once, either at a common endpoint or at a proper crossing.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Combinatorics · Optimization constants

Davenport constant for C_n^3

In zero-sum theory, the Davenport constant D(G) of a finite abelian group G is defined as the smallest integer l∈ℕ such that every sequence S over G of length lvert Srvert≥ l has a non-empty zero-sum subsequence.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Analysis · AlphaEvolve problems

de Bruin-Sharma Problem

For n ≥ 4, let Ω(n) be the set of pairs (α,β) ∈ ℝ_+^2 such that, whenever P is a degree n polynomial whose roots z_1,…,z_n sum to zero, and ξ_1,…,ξ_n-1 are the critical points (roots of P'), that |ξ_1|^4 + … + |ξ_n-1|^4 ≤ α (|z_1|^4 + … + |z_n|^4) + β (|z_1|^2 + … + |z_n|^2)^2. What is Ω(n)?

No claims yet Be the first →
B Combinatorics · AlphaEvolve problems

Difference Bases

For any natural number n, let Δ(n) be the size of the smallest set B of integers such that every natural number from 1 to n is expressible as a difference of two elements of B (such sets are known as difference bases for the interval 1,…,n). Write C(n) := Δ^2(n)/n, and C := inf_n ≥ 1 C(n).

No claims yet Be the first →
B Number theory · Optimization constants

Dirichlet divisor problem exponent

Let d(n) be the divisor function. The Dirichlet divisor problem concerns the error term Δ(x) := Σ_n≤ x d(n) - x(log x + 2γ -1), where γ is Euler's constant. <a href="#Tsa2010-def-Delta">[Tsa2010-def-Delta]</a> Define the divisor-problem exponent α := infBigla≥ 0: Δ(x)=O(x^a+ε) for all ε>0Bigr.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Algorithms · Optimization constants

Dual matrix multiplication exponent

In algebraic complexity theory, for each real k ≥ 0, let ω(k) denote the exponent for multiplying an n × n^k matrix by an n^k × n matrix. We define α := supk ≥ 0 : ω(k) = 2.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Analysis · Optimization constants

Erdős maximum-term constant

For any transcendental entire function f(z)=Σ_n≥ 0 a_n z^n, define . M(r,f):=max_|z|=r|f(z)|, μ(r,f):=max_n≥ 0|a_n| r^n. Following [Er1961], define β(f):=liminf_r→∞μ(r,f)/M(r,f). We define C_51 = B to be the supremum of β(f) over all transcendental entire functions f.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Number theory · AlphaEvolve problems

Erdős squarefree problem

For any natural number N, let C(N) denote the largest cardinality of a subset A of 1,…,N with the property that ab+1 is square-free for all a,b ∈ A. Establish upper and lower bounds for C(N) that are as strong as possible.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Geometry · AlphaEvolve problems

Erdős squares in a square problem

For any natural n, let C(n) denote the maximum possible sum of side lengths of n squares with disjoint interiors contained inside a unit square. Obtain upper and lower bounds for C(n) that are as strong as possible.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Combinatorics · Optimization constants

Erdős–Szemerédi 3-sunflower-free capacity

A family of three distinct sets A,B,C is a 3-sunflower (or Δ-system) if A∩ B = A∩ C = B∩ C. A family of sets is sunflower-free if it contains no 3-sunflower (equivalently, no sunflower of any size ≥ 3). Let [n]:=\1,2,…,n\ and let f(n) denote the maximum size of a sunflower-free family F⊆ 2^[n].

No claims yet Be the first →
B Number theory · Optimization constants

Essential minimum of the Zhang-Zagier height

Let overlineℚ be the set of all algebraic numbers. The naïve height h : overlineℚ → ℝ is defined as follows. Let α ∈ overlineℚ and let P(x) be an irreducible primitive polynomial with integers coefficients such that P(α)=0. Let n be the degree and a be the leading coefficient of P(x).

No claims yet Be the first →
B Combinatorics · Optimization constants

Exponential growth constant for diagonal Ramsey numbers

C_17 is the limit (if it exists) of R(k)^1/k as k → ∞, where the diagonal Ramsey number R(k) is the smallest integer n such that every red/blue colouring of the edges of the complete graph K_n contains a monochromatic copy of K_k.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Number theory · AlphaEvolve problems

Factoring N! into N numbers

For a natural number N, let C(N) be the largest quantity such that N! can be factored into N factors that are greater than or equal to C(N) (see OEIS A034258). Establish upper and lower bounds on C(N) that are as strong as possible.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Analysis · Optimization constants

Falconer distance problem in ℝ^2

The Falconer distance problem threshold C_34 = s_Δ(ℝ^2) in the plane is defined as s_Δ(ℝ^2) : :=\ infBigl s∈[0,2] : ∀ compact E⊂ℝ^2,\ dim_H(E)>s Longrightarrow lvertΔ(E)rvert>0 Bigr.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Geometry · Optimization constants

Favard-length decay exponent

Let E⊂ ℝ^2 be a planar set. The Favard length of E is defined by Fav(E) := 1/π∫_0^π lvert Proj R_θ Ervert dθ, where Proj is orthogonal projection to the horizontal axis and R_θ is rotation by angle θ.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Geometry · Optimization constants

Flatness constant in dimension 3

A convex body K⊂ℝ^d is hollow (lattice-free) with respect to a lattice Λ if int(K)∩Λ=∅. <a href="#CS2019-hollow-def">[CS2019-hollow-def]</a> For a hollow body, the lattice width is w(K) := min_u∈ℤ^d∖0 (max_x∈ Ku· x-min_x∈ Ku· x).

No claims yet Be the first →
B Complexity · Optimization constants

Fourier Entropy-Influence constant

Let f:\-1,1\^n→\-1,1\ be a Boolean function with Fourier expansion f(x)=Σ_S⊆[n]hat f(S)χ_S(x). Its spectral entropy is H(hat f^2) := Σ_S⊆[n]hat f(S)^2log_21/hat f(S)^2, and its total influence is Inf(f) := Σ_S⊆[n]hat f(S)^2 lvert Srvert.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Analysis · AlphaEvolve problems

Gagliardo-Nirenberg Inequality

Let 1 ≤ q ≤ ∞, and let j and m be non-negative integers such that j < m. Furthermore, let 1 ≤ r ≤ ∞, p ≥ 1 be real and θ ∈ [0, 1] such that the following relations hold: 1/p = j + θ ( 1/r - m ) + 1 - θ/q, j/m ≤ θ < 1.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Number theory · Optimization constants

Gauss circle problem exponent

Let N(t) := \#(m,n)∈ℤ^2: m^2+n^2≤ t^2 be the number of integer lattice points inside the (closed) disk of radius t centered at the origin. The Gauss circle problem is to find the smallest exponent θ such that, for every ε>0, N(t) = π t^2 + O(t^θ+ε).

No claims yet Be the first →
B Geometry · Optimization constants

Gilbert-Pollak conjecture (Steiner ratio)

C_43 is defined as the infimum of the ratio of the length of the Steiner Minimal Tree to the length of the Euclidean Minimum Spanning Tree over all finite sets of points V ⊆ ℝ^2: C_43 = inf_VL_S(V)/L_M(V), where L_S(V) and L_M(V) denote the lengths of Steiner Minimal Tree and Minimum Spanning Tree…

No claims yet Be the first →
B Number theory · Optimization constants

GL_2 Ramanujan conjecture exponent

We define C_56 = δ_2 to be the smallest real number δ ≥ 0 such that the following uniform bound toward the Generalized Ramanujan Conjecture holds.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Combinatorics · AlphaEvolve problems

Golay's Merit Factor

For n ≥ 1, let U_n denote the set of polynomials p(z) of degree n with coefficients ± 1.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Optimisation · Optimization constants

Gradient Descent Exponent

Let f be a convex function with 1-Lipschitz gradient. We assume black-box access to the function and its gradient. Gradient descent will converge to a global minimum with an appropriate choice of _step size_ s: x_k+1 := x_k - s· ∇ f(x_k). In general, s can be chosen to vary with the step k.

No claims yet Be the first →
B Analysis · AlphaEvolve problems

Hardy-Littlewood Maximal Inequality

Let C denote the best constant for which | x: sup_h>0 1/2h ∫_x-h^x+h f(y) dy ≥ λ | ≤ C/λ ∫_ℝ f(x) dx for absolutely integrable non-negative f : ℝ → ℝ. What is C?

No claims yet Be the first →
B Analysis · AlphaEvolve problems

Hausdorff-Young Inequality

For 1 ≤ p ≤ 2, let C(p) be the best constant such that ‖ hat f ‖_L^p'(ℝ) ≤ C(p) ‖ f ‖_L^p(ℝ) holds for all test functions f : ℝ → ℝ. Here p' := p/p-1 is the dual exponent of p. What is C(p)?

No claims yet Be the first →
B Geometry · AlphaEvolve problems

Heilbronn problem in a fixed bounding box

For any n ≥ 3 and any convex body K in the plane, let C(n,K) be the largest quantity such that in every configuration of n points in K, there exists a triple of points determining a triangle of area at most C(n,K) times the area of K. Establish upper and lower bounds on C(n,K).

No claims yet Be the first →
B Geometry · AlphaEvolve problems

Heilbronn problem in an arbitrary convex bounding box

For any n ≥ 3 let C(n) be the largest quantity such that in every configuration of n points in the plane, there exists a triple of points determining a triangle of area at most C(n) times the area of their convex hull. Establish upper and lower bounds on C(n).

No claims yet Be the first →

Browse by field

Collections and topics