An example of an easy to understand undecidable problem Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern)Do complex numbers really exist?Why is Peano arithmetic undecidable?Using halting problem to prove undecidable problemsUndecidable existence theoremsUse of undecidabilityDoes there exist a group (finitely presented) such that the isomorphism problem for the group and the trivial group is undecidable?An example for a calculation where imaginary numbers are used but don't occur in the question or the solution.How to come up with a counter example in linear algebraWhat's the difference between “unprovable” and “undecidable”?Does Temporal Logic have undecidable propositions?Nonalgorithmic and approximate solutions to undecidable problems / formulas?

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An example of an easy to understand undecidable problem



Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara
Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern)Do complex numbers really exist?Why is Peano arithmetic undecidable?Using halting problem to prove undecidable problemsUndecidable existence theoremsUse of undecidabilityDoes there exist a group (finitely presented) such that the isomorphism problem for the group and the trivial group is undecidable?An example for a calculation where imaginary numbers are used but don't occur in the question or the solution.How to come up with a counter example in linear algebraWhat's the difference between “unprovable” and “undecidable”?Does Temporal Logic have undecidable propositions?Nonalgorithmic and approximate solutions to undecidable problems / formulas?










35












$begingroup$


I am looking for an undecidable problem that I could give as an easy example in a presentation to the general public. I mean easy in the sense that the mathematics behind it can be described, well, without mathematics, that is with analogies and intuition, avoiding technicalities.










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$











  • $begingroup$
    The formula $forall x, y quad xy=xy$ is undecidable in the theory describing the usual group theory.
    $endgroup$
    – Watson
    Aug 29 '16 at 18:08















35












$begingroup$


I am looking for an undecidable problem that I could give as an easy example in a presentation to the general public. I mean easy in the sense that the mathematics behind it can be described, well, without mathematics, that is with analogies and intuition, avoiding technicalities.










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$











  • $begingroup$
    The formula $forall x, y quad xy=xy$ is undecidable in the theory describing the usual group theory.
    $endgroup$
    – Watson
    Aug 29 '16 at 18:08













35












35








35


14



$begingroup$


I am looking for an undecidable problem that I could give as an easy example in a presentation to the general public. I mean easy in the sense that the mathematics behind it can be described, well, without mathematics, that is with analogies and intuition, avoiding technicalities.










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$




I am looking for an undecidable problem that I could give as an easy example in a presentation to the general public. I mean easy in the sense that the mathematics behind it can be described, well, without mathematics, that is with analogies and intuition, avoiding technicalities.







logic examples-counterexamples






share|cite|improve this question















share|cite|improve this question













share|cite|improve this question




share|cite|improve this question








edited Nov 10 '11 at 7:15









Asaf Karagila

308k33441775




308k33441775










asked Nov 10 '11 at 4:35







user19220


















  • $begingroup$
    The formula $forall x, y quad xy=xy$ is undecidable in the theory describing the usual group theory.
    $endgroup$
    – Watson
    Aug 29 '16 at 18:08
















  • $begingroup$
    The formula $forall x, y quad xy=xy$ is undecidable in the theory describing the usual group theory.
    $endgroup$
    – Watson
    Aug 29 '16 at 18:08















$begingroup$
The formula $forall x, y quad xy=xy$ is undecidable in the theory describing the usual group theory.
$endgroup$
– Watson
Aug 29 '16 at 18:08




$begingroup$
The formula $forall x, y quad xy=xy$ is undecidable in the theory describing the usual group theory.
$endgroup$
– Watson
Aug 29 '16 at 18:08










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes


















41












$begingroup$

"Are these two real numbers (or functions, or grammars, or mathematical statements) equivalent?"
(See also word problem)



"Does this statement follow from these axioms?"
(Hilbert's Entscheidungsproblem)



"Does this computer program ever stop?"
"Does this computer program have any security vulnerabilities?"
"Does this computer program do <any non-trivial statement>?"
(The halting-problem, from which all semantic properties can be reduced)



"Can this set of domino-like tiles tile the plane?"
(See Tiling Problem)



"Does this Diophantine equation have an integer solution?"
(See Hilbert's Tenth Problem)



"Given two lists of strings, is there a list of indices such that the concatenations from both lists are equal?"
(See Post correspondence problem)




There is also a large list on wikipedia.






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    Wikipedia's explanation of the proof of undecidability for the halting problem is really bad.
    $endgroup$
    – Daniel
    Nov 19 '13 at 3:23










  • $begingroup$
    Regarding the first example, it's important to consider how you're specifying real numbers. For example, the first-order arithmetic of real numbers is complete; one can always decide, and do so algorithmically, whether two real numbers are equal when they're sepcified in the language of first-order real arithmetic. (also called real-closed fields)
    $endgroup$
    – Hurkyl
    Mar 26 at 4:31


















6












$begingroup$

I think the Post correspondence problem is a very good example of a simple undecideable problem that is also relatively unknown.



Given a finite set of string tuples



(a , bba) X
(ab, aa) Y
(bba, bb) Z


the problem is to determine if there is a finite sequence of these tuples , allowing for repetition, such that the concatenation of the first half is equal to the concatenation of second half



(bba, bb) Z
(ab, aa) Y
(bba, bb) Z
(a, bba) X
------------ gives
(bbaabbbaa, bbaabbbaa)


The only big issue I have with this problem is that the only undecideability proof I know of falls back on simulating a Turing machine - it would be nice to find a more elementary alternate version.






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    there is a typo (a,bba) instead of (a,baa) for tuple 1. but it is not allowed to change only one character
    $endgroup$
    – miracle173
    Jan 3 '12 at 1:33











  • $begingroup$
    @miracle173. Thanks! (btw, if I remember correctly you can add invisible html comments <!-- --> to bypass the edit size limit if you need to fix typos in the future)
    $endgroup$
    – hugomg
    Jan 3 '12 at 2:25











  • $begingroup$
    The PCP can be reduced to the word problem for semigroups (and, more generally, for rewriting systems). This gives a more elementary proof of undecidability, if you are willing to accept that the word problem for semigroups/rewriting systems is undecidable! See Harju T., Karhumäki J. (1997) Morphisms. In: Rozenberg G., Salomaa A. (eds) Handbook of Formal Languages. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
    $endgroup$
    – user1729
    Apr 5 at 12:20


















5












$begingroup$

May be you want to check these:



Alan_Turing_and_Undecidable_Problems_in_Mathematics on fora.tv



what-are-the-most-attractive-turing-undecidable-problems-in-mathematics on mathoverflow



MagicSquare on mathworld.wolfram






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    Link rot happens. Imagine someone cannot click on any links, and consider how useful your answer will be.
    $endgroup$
    – ShreevatsaR
    Nov 10 '11 at 8:20










  • $begingroup$
    @ShreevatsaR: Thanks for you suggestion. Do you prefer placing the text of the url instead?
    $endgroup$
    – NoChance
    Nov 10 '11 at 10:12










  • $begingroup$
    Please do not post answers which force people to click on the links to know what they contain. See the simple way I used to avoid this by consulting the modified source of your post.
    $endgroup$
    – Did
    Nov 10 '11 at 10:20










  • $begingroup$
    @DidierPiau: Thank you for your comment and clear instructions.
    $endgroup$
    – NoChance
    Nov 10 '11 at 13:06


















3












$begingroup$

"does this computer program ever stop?"



"does this equation have any solutions?" (of course you mean polynomial equation with integer solutions, but for a general public presentation you can probably get away with just "equation" and "solutions").






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$




















    3












    $begingroup$

    Maybe consider some Wang Tiles.






    share|cite|improve this answer









    $endgroup$













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      5 Answers
      5






      active

      oldest

      votes








      5 Answers
      5






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      41












      $begingroup$

      "Are these two real numbers (or functions, or grammars, or mathematical statements) equivalent?"
      (See also word problem)



      "Does this statement follow from these axioms?"
      (Hilbert's Entscheidungsproblem)



      "Does this computer program ever stop?"
      "Does this computer program have any security vulnerabilities?"
      "Does this computer program do <any non-trivial statement>?"
      (The halting-problem, from which all semantic properties can be reduced)



      "Can this set of domino-like tiles tile the plane?"
      (See Tiling Problem)



      "Does this Diophantine equation have an integer solution?"
      (See Hilbert's Tenth Problem)



      "Given two lists of strings, is there a list of indices such that the concatenations from both lists are equal?"
      (See Post correspondence problem)




      There is also a large list on wikipedia.






      share|cite|improve this answer











      $endgroup$












      • $begingroup$
        Wikipedia's explanation of the proof of undecidability for the halting problem is really bad.
        $endgroup$
        – Daniel
        Nov 19 '13 at 3:23










      • $begingroup$
        Regarding the first example, it's important to consider how you're specifying real numbers. For example, the first-order arithmetic of real numbers is complete; one can always decide, and do so algorithmically, whether two real numbers are equal when they're sepcified in the language of first-order real arithmetic. (also called real-closed fields)
        $endgroup$
        – Hurkyl
        Mar 26 at 4:31















      41












      $begingroup$

      "Are these two real numbers (or functions, or grammars, or mathematical statements) equivalent?"
      (See also word problem)



      "Does this statement follow from these axioms?"
      (Hilbert's Entscheidungsproblem)



      "Does this computer program ever stop?"
      "Does this computer program have any security vulnerabilities?"
      "Does this computer program do <any non-trivial statement>?"
      (The halting-problem, from which all semantic properties can be reduced)



      "Can this set of domino-like tiles tile the plane?"
      (See Tiling Problem)



      "Does this Diophantine equation have an integer solution?"
      (See Hilbert's Tenth Problem)



      "Given two lists of strings, is there a list of indices such that the concatenations from both lists are equal?"
      (See Post correspondence problem)




      There is also a large list on wikipedia.






      share|cite|improve this answer











      $endgroup$












      • $begingroup$
        Wikipedia's explanation of the proof of undecidability for the halting problem is really bad.
        $endgroup$
        – Daniel
        Nov 19 '13 at 3:23










      • $begingroup$
        Regarding the first example, it's important to consider how you're specifying real numbers. For example, the first-order arithmetic of real numbers is complete; one can always decide, and do so algorithmically, whether two real numbers are equal when they're sepcified in the language of first-order real arithmetic. (also called real-closed fields)
        $endgroup$
        – Hurkyl
        Mar 26 at 4:31













      41












      41








      41





      $begingroup$

      "Are these two real numbers (or functions, or grammars, or mathematical statements) equivalent?"
      (See also word problem)



      "Does this statement follow from these axioms?"
      (Hilbert's Entscheidungsproblem)



      "Does this computer program ever stop?"
      "Does this computer program have any security vulnerabilities?"
      "Does this computer program do <any non-trivial statement>?"
      (The halting-problem, from which all semantic properties can be reduced)



      "Can this set of domino-like tiles tile the plane?"
      (See Tiling Problem)



      "Does this Diophantine equation have an integer solution?"
      (See Hilbert's Tenth Problem)



      "Given two lists of strings, is there a list of indices such that the concatenations from both lists are equal?"
      (See Post correspondence problem)




      There is also a large list on wikipedia.






      share|cite|improve this answer











      $endgroup$



      "Are these two real numbers (or functions, or grammars, or mathematical statements) equivalent?"
      (See also word problem)



      "Does this statement follow from these axioms?"
      (Hilbert's Entscheidungsproblem)



      "Does this computer program ever stop?"
      "Does this computer program have any security vulnerabilities?"
      "Does this computer program do <any non-trivial statement>?"
      (The halting-problem, from which all semantic properties can be reduced)



      "Can this set of domino-like tiles tile the plane?"
      (See Tiling Problem)



      "Does this Diophantine equation have an integer solution?"
      (See Hilbert's Tenth Problem)



      "Given two lists of strings, is there a list of indices such that the concatenations from both lists are equal?"
      (See Post correspondence problem)




      There is also a large list on wikipedia.







      share|cite|improve this answer














      share|cite|improve this answer



      share|cite|improve this answer








      edited Mar 25 at 17:39

























      answered Nov 10 '11 at 6:39









      BlueRaja - Danny PflughoeftBlueRaja - Danny Pflughoeft

      5,88342943




      5,88342943











      • $begingroup$
        Wikipedia's explanation of the proof of undecidability for the halting problem is really bad.
        $endgroup$
        – Daniel
        Nov 19 '13 at 3:23










      • $begingroup$
        Regarding the first example, it's important to consider how you're specifying real numbers. For example, the first-order arithmetic of real numbers is complete; one can always decide, and do so algorithmically, whether two real numbers are equal when they're sepcified in the language of first-order real arithmetic. (also called real-closed fields)
        $endgroup$
        – Hurkyl
        Mar 26 at 4:31
















      • $begingroup$
        Wikipedia's explanation of the proof of undecidability for the halting problem is really bad.
        $endgroup$
        – Daniel
        Nov 19 '13 at 3:23










      • $begingroup$
        Regarding the first example, it's important to consider how you're specifying real numbers. For example, the first-order arithmetic of real numbers is complete; one can always decide, and do so algorithmically, whether two real numbers are equal when they're sepcified in the language of first-order real arithmetic. (also called real-closed fields)
        $endgroup$
        – Hurkyl
        Mar 26 at 4:31















      $begingroup$
      Wikipedia's explanation of the proof of undecidability for the halting problem is really bad.
      $endgroup$
      – Daniel
      Nov 19 '13 at 3:23




      $begingroup$
      Wikipedia's explanation of the proof of undecidability for the halting problem is really bad.
      $endgroup$
      – Daniel
      Nov 19 '13 at 3:23












      $begingroup$
      Regarding the first example, it's important to consider how you're specifying real numbers. For example, the first-order arithmetic of real numbers is complete; one can always decide, and do so algorithmically, whether two real numbers are equal when they're sepcified in the language of first-order real arithmetic. (also called real-closed fields)
      $endgroup$
      – Hurkyl
      Mar 26 at 4:31




      $begingroup$
      Regarding the first example, it's important to consider how you're specifying real numbers. For example, the first-order arithmetic of real numbers is complete; one can always decide, and do so algorithmically, whether two real numbers are equal when they're sepcified in the language of first-order real arithmetic. (also called real-closed fields)
      $endgroup$
      – Hurkyl
      Mar 26 at 4:31











      6












      $begingroup$

      I think the Post correspondence problem is a very good example of a simple undecideable problem that is also relatively unknown.



      Given a finite set of string tuples



      (a , bba) X
      (ab, aa) Y
      (bba, bb) Z


      the problem is to determine if there is a finite sequence of these tuples , allowing for repetition, such that the concatenation of the first half is equal to the concatenation of second half



      (bba, bb) Z
      (ab, aa) Y
      (bba, bb) Z
      (a, bba) X
      ------------ gives
      (bbaabbbaa, bbaabbbaa)


      The only big issue I have with this problem is that the only undecideability proof I know of falls back on simulating a Turing machine - it would be nice to find a more elementary alternate version.






      share|cite|improve this answer











      $endgroup$












      • $begingroup$
        there is a typo (a,bba) instead of (a,baa) for tuple 1. but it is not allowed to change only one character
        $endgroup$
        – miracle173
        Jan 3 '12 at 1:33











      • $begingroup$
        @miracle173. Thanks! (btw, if I remember correctly you can add invisible html comments <!-- --> to bypass the edit size limit if you need to fix typos in the future)
        $endgroup$
        – hugomg
        Jan 3 '12 at 2:25











      • $begingroup$
        The PCP can be reduced to the word problem for semigroups (and, more generally, for rewriting systems). This gives a more elementary proof of undecidability, if you are willing to accept that the word problem for semigroups/rewriting systems is undecidable! See Harju T., Karhumäki J. (1997) Morphisms. In: Rozenberg G., Salomaa A. (eds) Handbook of Formal Languages. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
        $endgroup$
        – user1729
        Apr 5 at 12:20















      6












      $begingroup$

      I think the Post correspondence problem is a very good example of a simple undecideable problem that is also relatively unknown.



      Given a finite set of string tuples



      (a , bba) X
      (ab, aa) Y
      (bba, bb) Z


      the problem is to determine if there is a finite sequence of these tuples , allowing for repetition, such that the concatenation of the first half is equal to the concatenation of second half



      (bba, bb) Z
      (ab, aa) Y
      (bba, bb) Z
      (a, bba) X
      ------------ gives
      (bbaabbbaa, bbaabbbaa)


      The only big issue I have with this problem is that the only undecideability proof I know of falls back on simulating a Turing machine - it would be nice to find a more elementary alternate version.






      share|cite|improve this answer











      $endgroup$












      • $begingroup$
        there is a typo (a,bba) instead of (a,baa) for tuple 1. but it is not allowed to change only one character
        $endgroup$
        – miracle173
        Jan 3 '12 at 1:33











      • $begingroup$
        @miracle173. Thanks! (btw, if I remember correctly you can add invisible html comments <!-- --> to bypass the edit size limit if you need to fix typos in the future)
        $endgroup$
        – hugomg
        Jan 3 '12 at 2:25











      • $begingroup$
        The PCP can be reduced to the word problem for semigroups (and, more generally, for rewriting systems). This gives a more elementary proof of undecidability, if you are willing to accept that the word problem for semigroups/rewriting systems is undecidable! See Harju T., Karhumäki J. (1997) Morphisms. In: Rozenberg G., Salomaa A. (eds) Handbook of Formal Languages. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
        $endgroup$
        – user1729
        Apr 5 at 12:20













      6












      6








      6





      $begingroup$

      I think the Post correspondence problem is a very good example of a simple undecideable problem that is also relatively unknown.



      Given a finite set of string tuples



      (a , bba) X
      (ab, aa) Y
      (bba, bb) Z


      the problem is to determine if there is a finite sequence of these tuples , allowing for repetition, such that the concatenation of the first half is equal to the concatenation of second half



      (bba, bb) Z
      (ab, aa) Y
      (bba, bb) Z
      (a, bba) X
      ------------ gives
      (bbaabbbaa, bbaabbbaa)


      The only big issue I have with this problem is that the only undecideability proof I know of falls back on simulating a Turing machine - it would be nice to find a more elementary alternate version.






      share|cite|improve this answer











      $endgroup$



      I think the Post correspondence problem is a very good example of a simple undecideable problem that is also relatively unknown.



      Given a finite set of string tuples



      (a , bba) X
      (ab, aa) Y
      (bba, bb) Z


      the problem is to determine if there is a finite sequence of these tuples , allowing for repetition, such that the concatenation of the first half is equal to the concatenation of second half



      (bba, bb) Z
      (ab, aa) Y
      (bba, bb) Z
      (a, bba) X
      ------------ gives
      (bbaabbbaa, bbaabbbaa)


      The only big issue I have with this problem is that the only undecideability proof I know of falls back on simulating a Turing machine - it would be nice to find a more elementary alternate version.







      share|cite|improve this answer














      share|cite|improve this answer



      share|cite|improve this answer








      edited Mar 14 '15 at 1:23

























      answered Nov 10 '11 at 13:01









      hugomghugomg

      24115




      24115











      • $begingroup$
        there is a typo (a,bba) instead of (a,baa) for tuple 1. but it is not allowed to change only one character
        $endgroup$
        – miracle173
        Jan 3 '12 at 1:33











      • $begingroup$
        @miracle173. Thanks! (btw, if I remember correctly you can add invisible html comments <!-- --> to bypass the edit size limit if you need to fix typos in the future)
        $endgroup$
        – hugomg
        Jan 3 '12 at 2:25











      • $begingroup$
        The PCP can be reduced to the word problem for semigroups (and, more generally, for rewriting systems). This gives a more elementary proof of undecidability, if you are willing to accept that the word problem for semigroups/rewriting systems is undecidable! See Harju T., Karhumäki J. (1997) Morphisms. In: Rozenberg G., Salomaa A. (eds) Handbook of Formal Languages. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
        $endgroup$
        – user1729
        Apr 5 at 12:20
















      • $begingroup$
        there is a typo (a,bba) instead of (a,baa) for tuple 1. but it is not allowed to change only one character
        $endgroup$
        – miracle173
        Jan 3 '12 at 1:33











      • $begingroup$
        @miracle173. Thanks! (btw, if I remember correctly you can add invisible html comments <!-- --> to bypass the edit size limit if you need to fix typos in the future)
        $endgroup$
        – hugomg
        Jan 3 '12 at 2:25











      • $begingroup$
        The PCP can be reduced to the word problem for semigroups (and, more generally, for rewriting systems). This gives a more elementary proof of undecidability, if you are willing to accept that the word problem for semigroups/rewriting systems is undecidable! See Harju T., Karhumäki J. (1997) Morphisms. In: Rozenberg G., Salomaa A. (eds) Handbook of Formal Languages. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
        $endgroup$
        – user1729
        Apr 5 at 12:20















      $begingroup$
      there is a typo (a,bba) instead of (a,baa) for tuple 1. but it is not allowed to change only one character
      $endgroup$
      – miracle173
      Jan 3 '12 at 1:33





      $begingroup$
      there is a typo (a,bba) instead of (a,baa) for tuple 1. but it is not allowed to change only one character
      $endgroup$
      – miracle173
      Jan 3 '12 at 1:33













      $begingroup$
      @miracle173. Thanks! (btw, if I remember correctly you can add invisible html comments <!-- --> to bypass the edit size limit if you need to fix typos in the future)
      $endgroup$
      – hugomg
      Jan 3 '12 at 2:25





      $begingroup$
      @miracle173. Thanks! (btw, if I remember correctly you can add invisible html comments <!-- --> to bypass the edit size limit if you need to fix typos in the future)
      $endgroup$
      – hugomg
      Jan 3 '12 at 2:25













      $begingroup$
      The PCP can be reduced to the word problem for semigroups (and, more generally, for rewriting systems). This gives a more elementary proof of undecidability, if you are willing to accept that the word problem for semigroups/rewriting systems is undecidable! See Harju T., Karhumäki J. (1997) Morphisms. In: Rozenberg G., Salomaa A. (eds) Handbook of Formal Languages. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
      $endgroup$
      – user1729
      Apr 5 at 12:20




      $begingroup$
      The PCP can be reduced to the word problem for semigroups (and, more generally, for rewriting systems). This gives a more elementary proof of undecidability, if you are willing to accept that the word problem for semigroups/rewriting systems is undecidable! See Harju T., Karhumäki J. (1997) Morphisms. In: Rozenberg G., Salomaa A. (eds) Handbook of Formal Languages. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
      $endgroup$
      – user1729
      Apr 5 at 12:20











      5












      $begingroup$

      May be you want to check these:



      Alan_Turing_and_Undecidable_Problems_in_Mathematics on fora.tv



      what-are-the-most-attractive-turing-undecidable-problems-in-mathematics on mathoverflow



      MagicSquare on mathworld.wolfram






      share|cite|improve this answer











      $endgroup$












      • $begingroup$
        Link rot happens. Imagine someone cannot click on any links, and consider how useful your answer will be.
        $endgroup$
        – ShreevatsaR
        Nov 10 '11 at 8:20










      • $begingroup$
        @ShreevatsaR: Thanks for you suggestion. Do you prefer placing the text of the url instead?
        $endgroup$
        – NoChance
        Nov 10 '11 at 10:12










      • $begingroup$
        Please do not post answers which force people to click on the links to know what they contain. See the simple way I used to avoid this by consulting the modified source of your post.
        $endgroup$
        – Did
        Nov 10 '11 at 10:20










      • $begingroup$
        @DidierPiau: Thank you for your comment and clear instructions.
        $endgroup$
        – NoChance
        Nov 10 '11 at 13:06















      5












      $begingroup$

      May be you want to check these:



      Alan_Turing_and_Undecidable_Problems_in_Mathematics on fora.tv



      what-are-the-most-attractive-turing-undecidable-problems-in-mathematics on mathoverflow



      MagicSquare on mathworld.wolfram






      share|cite|improve this answer











      $endgroup$












      • $begingroup$
        Link rot happens. Imagine someone cannot click on any links, and consider how useful your answer will be.
        $endgroup$
        – ShreevatsaR
        Nov 10 '11 at 8:20










      • $begingroup$
        @ShreevatsaR: Thanks for you suggestion. Do you prefer placing the text of the url instead?
        $endgroup$
        – NoChance
        Nov 10 '11 at 10:12










      • $begingroup$
        Please do not post answers which force people to click on the links to know what they contain. See the simple way I used to avoid this by consulting the modified source of your post.
        $endgroup$
        – Did
        Nov 10 '11 at 10:20










      • $begingroup$
        @DidierPiau: Thank you for your comment and clear instructions.
        $endgroup$
        – NoChance
        Nov 10 '11 at 13:06













      5












      5








      5





      $begingroup$

      May be you want to check these:



      Alan_Turing_and_Undecidable_Problems_in_Mathematics on fora.tv



      what-are-the-most-attractive-turing-undecidable-problems-in-mathematics on mathoverflow



      MagicSquare on mathworld.wolfram






      share|cite|improve this answer











      $endgroup$



      May be you want to check these:



      Alan_Turing_and_Undecidable_Problems_in_Mathematics on fora.tv



      what-are-the-most-attractive-turing-undecidable-problems-in-mathematics on mathoverflow



      MagicSquare on mathworld.wolfram







      share|cite|improve this answer














      share|cite|improve this answer



      share|cite|improve this answer








      edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:58









      Community

      1




      1










      answered Nov 10 '11 at 4:51









      NoChanceNoChance

      3,76621321




      3,76621321











      • $begingroup$
        Link rot happens. Imagine someone cannot click on any links, and consider how useful your answer will be.
        $endgroup$
        – ShreevatsaR
        Nov 10 '11 at 8:20










      • $begingroup$
        @ShreevatsaR: Thanks for you suggestion. Do you prefer placing the text of the url instead?
        $endgroup$
        – NoChance
        Nov 10 '11 at 10:12










      • $begingroup$
        Please do not post answers which force people to click on the links to know what they contain. See the simple way I used to avoid this by consulting the modified source of your post.
        $endgroup$
        – Did
        Nov 10 '11 at 10:20










      • $begingroup$
        @DidierPiau: Thank you for your comment and clear instructions.
        $endgroup$
        – NoChance
        Nov 10 '11 at 13:06
















      • $begingroup$
        Link rot happens. Imagine someone cannot click on any links, and consider how useful your answer will be.
        $endgroup$
        – ShreevatsaR
        Nov 10 '11 at 8:20










      • $begingroup$
        @ShreevatsaR: Thanks for you suggestion. Do you prefer placing the text of the url instead?
        $endgroup$
        – NoChance
        Nov 10 '11 at 10:12










      • $begingroup$
        Please do not post answers which force people to click on the links to know what they contain. See the simple way I used to avoid this by consulting the modified source of your post.
        $endgroup$
        – Did
        Nov 10 '11 at 10:20










      • $begingroup$
        @DidierPiau: Thank you for your comment and clear instructions.
        $endgroup$
        – NoChance
        Nov 10 '11 at 13:06















      $begingroup$
      Link rot happens. Imagine someone cannot click on any links, and consider how useful your answer will be.
      $endgroup$
      – ShreevatsaR
      Nov 10 '11 at 8:20




      $begingroup$
      Link rot happens. Imagine someone cannot click on any links, and consider how useful your answer will be.
      $endgroup$
      – ShreevatsaR
      Nov 10 '11 at 8:20












      $begingroup$
      @ShreevatsaR: Thanks for you suggestion. Do you prefer placing the text of the url instead?
      $endgroup$
      – NoChance
      Nov 10 '11 at 10:12




      $begingroup$
      @ShreevatsaR: Thanks for you suggestion. Do you prefer placing the text of the url instead?
      $endgroup$
      – NoChance
      Nov 10 '11 at 10:12












      $begingroup$
      Please do not post answers which force people to click on the links to know what they contain. See the simple way I used to avoid this by consulting the modified source of your post.
      $endgroup$
      – Did
      Nov 10 '11 at 10:20




      $begingroup$
      Please do not post answers which force people to click on the links to know what they contain. See the simple way I used to avoid this by consulting the modified source of your post.
      $endgroup$
      – Did
      Nov 10 '11 at 10:20












      $begingroup$
      @DidierPiau: Thank you for your comment and clear instructions.
      $endgroup$
      – NoChance
      Nov 10 '11 at 13:06




      $begingroup$
      @DidierPiau: Thank you for your comment and clear instructions.
      $endgroup$
      – NoChance
      Nov 10 '11 at 13:06











      3












      $begingroup$

      "does this computer program ever stop?"



      "does this equation have any solutions?" (of course you mean polynomial equation with integer solutions, but for a general public presentation you can probably get away with just "equation" and "solutions").






      share|cite|improve this answer









      $endgroup$

















        3












        $begingroup$

        "does this computer program ever stop?"



        "does this equation have any solutions?" (of course you mean polynomial equation with integer solutions, but for a general public presentation you can probably get away with just "equation" and "solutions").






        share|cite|improve this answer









        $endgroup$















          3












          3








          3





          $begingroup$

          "does this computer program ever stop?"



          "does this equation have any solutions?" (of course you mean polynomial equation with integer solutions, but for a general public presentation you can probably get away with just "equation" and "solutions").






          share|cite|improve this answer









          $endgroup$



          "does this computer program ever stop?"



          "does this equation have any solutions?" (of course you mean polynomial equation with integer solutions, but for a general public presentation you can probably get away with just "equation" and "solutions").







          share|cite|improve this answer












          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer










          answered Nov 10 '11 at 4:44









          Alon AmitAlon Amit

          10.7k3768




          10.7k3768





















              3












              $begingroup$

              Maybe consider some Wang Tiles.






              share|cite|improve this answer









              $endgroup$

















                3












                $begingroup$

                Maybe consider some Wang Tiles.






                share|cite|improve this answer









                $endgroup$















                  3












                  3








                  3





                  $begingroup$

                  Maybe consider some Wang Tiles.






                  share|cite|improve this answer









                  $endgroup$



                  Maybe consider some Wang Tiles.







                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  share|cite|improve this answer



                  share|cite|improve this answer










                  answered Nov 10 '11 at 5:50









                  tomtom

                  1,71411733




                  1,71411733



























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