Mathematics Atlas

How Proof Is Made
Open Questions

Does the Erdos-Straus equation 4/n = 1/x + 1/y + 1/z really have a positive-integer solution for every integer n of 2 or more?

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Open Question

Computer search has confirmed the equation solvable for every n up to 10^17, and modular identities cover infinitely many residue classes, but no argument closes the remaining, conjecturally empty, set of exceptions for every n at once.

What would resolve this A general proof, or a genuine counterexample, covering every integer n rather than a further extension of the verified range.
OpenNumber theoryErdos-Straus Conjecture (Wikipedia)
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Erdos-Straus Conjecture (Wikipedia)
WikipediaVerification and progress sectionsView the Source
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