Number Theory · 6 problems · 1 tackled

Open problems in Number Theory

Every Number Theory problem in the Math Lab index — 6 in all. Each carries a precise statement, an honest status (open means open), and a concrete plan for throwing compute or tokens at it.

Collatz conjectureNumber Theorylive lab

Halve n if even, map n to 3n + 1 if odd, repeat. The conjecture: every positive integer eventually reaches 1.

a.k.a. 3n + 1 problem · Syracuse problem · hailstone problem · Ulam's conjecture
Casas-Alvero conjectureNumber Theoryuntouched

If a complex polynomial of degree n shares a root with each of its derivatives P′, P″, …, P^(n−1), then it must be c(x − a)^n — a power of a single linear factor.

Hadamard conjectureNumber Theoryuntouched

A Hadamard matrix — a ±1 matrix with pairwise orthogonal rows — exists for every order divisible by 4.

Lehmer's Mahler measure problemNumber Theoryuntouched

Is there a gap above 1 in Mahler measures of integer polynomials? Lehmer's degree-10 polynomial has measure ≈ 1.176280818; the question is whether any non-cyclotomic integer polynomial does better.

a.k.a. Lehmer's conjecture
Odd perfect numbersNumber Theoryuntouched

Does an odd number exist that equals the sum of its proper divisors? Every known perfect number is even.

Perfect cuboidNumber Theoryuntouched

Does a rectangular box exist whose three edges, three face diagonals, and space diagonal are all integers? Euler bricks (integer edges and face diagonals) exist; adding the space diagonal is the open part.

a.k.a. Euler brick with integer space diagonal

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