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Conjecture

Big-Line-Big-Clique Conjecture

Combinatorics

The big-line-big-clique conjecture is an unsolved problem in discrete geometry, stating that finite sets of many points in the Euclidean plane either have many collinear points, or have many points that are all mutually visible to each other, with no third point blocking any two from seeing each other. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Statement
For any positive integers k and l there should exist another number n(k,l), such that every set of n(k,l) points contains l collinear points (a big line), k mutually visible points (a big clique), or both. 1
Proposed Year
2005 1
Progress Toward Resolution
Unsolved. Finite point sets in general position always contain a big clique, so it is true for l at most 3, and sets with no five mutually visible points contain many collinear points, so it is true for k at most 5. 1
Classification
Resolution Status
Open 1
Prize Status
Prize Status (category)
No Prize Offered 1
Sources
1. Big-Line-Big-Clique Conjecture (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Lead section
    The big-line-big-clique conjecture is an unsolved problem in discrete geometry, stating that finite sets of many points in the Euclidean plane either have many collinear points, or they have many points that are all mutually visible to each other
  • Statement of the conjecture
    For any positive integers k and ℓ there should exist another number n(k,ℓ), such that every set of n(k,ℓ) points contains ℓ collinear points (a 'big line'), k mutually visible points (a 'big clique'), or both.
  • History
    The conjecture was introduced in 2005 by Jan Kára, Attila Pór, and David R. Wood
  • Partial results
    Finite point sets in general position (no three collinear) do always contain a big clique, so the conjecture is true for ℓ ≤ 3.
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