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> The Collatz conjecture is quite possibly the simplest unsolved problem in mathematics — which is exactly what makes it so treacherously alluring. IMO that di
by RcouF1uZ4gsC 7y ago
> The Collatz conjecture is quite possibly the simplest unsolved problem in mathematics — which is exactly what makes it so treacherously alluring.
IMO that distinction actually belongs to Goldbach's conjecture which is:
Every even integer greater than 2 can be expressed as the sum of two primes.
- tlholaday 7y agoIs it your opinion that understanding the meaning of "two primes" is simpler than understanding the meaning of even, odd, tripling, halving, and adding on3?
- Taek 7y agoIn my opinion it's not simpler, primes are a difficult concept. Tripling and halving is simpler.
- TrainedMonkey 7y agoWhat tripped me up for a second is that primes don't have to be distinct. So 4 is sum of 2 + 2 and 6 is sum of 3 + 3.
- edanm 7y agoI think Goldbach is easier for people who know a bit about math (i.e., remember the definition of a prime number.) Collatz is easier to explain for someone with no background.