\documentclass[11pt]{article} \usepackage[T1]{fontenc} \usepackage[utf8]{inputenc} \usepackage{amsmath,amssymb,amsfonts} \usepackage{enumitem} \usepackage{geometry} \geometry{margin=1in} \setlength{\parindent}{0pt} \setlength{\parskip}{6pt} \newcommand{\prob}[1]{\par\medskip\noindent\textbf{#1}\ } \title{\textsc{Some of Paul's Favorite Problems}} \date{} \begin{document} \maketitle \begin{center} Booklet circulated during the conference ``Paul Erd\H{o}s and his mathematics'' held in Budapest in July 1999. \end{center} \section*{Handwritten note} We started the following problem. Denote by \[ r_k(n)=\max \ell,\qquad 1\le a_1<\cdots2x^2$? (The largest seems to be 199.) \prob{1.6} If $(n,k)=1$ and $n=968$ then $n-k^2$ is prime whenever positive. Is 968 the largest number with this property? \prob{1.7} The number 105 has the property that $105-2^n$ is prime whenever it is positive. Is 105 the largest number with this property? \prob{1.8 (Erd\H{o}s, Selfridge)} Let $p_1<\cdots2$, then Erd\H{o}s and Selfridge found for $2<\alpha<3$ the exact bound; it is $\sqrt{u}/2$ if $u$ is of the form $2m^2$. If $\alpha>3$, then very little is known. \prob{1.9 (Additive completion of primes)} Let $A$ be such a set that every sufficiently large integer is of the form $a+p$, $a\in A$, $p$ prime. How small can $A(n)=|A\cap[1,n]|$ be? Erd\H{o}s showed that $A(n)\ll (\log n)^2$ is possible and we have trivially $A(n)\gg \log n$. Improve these bounds. \prob{1.10} Denote by $P(n)$ the greatest prime factor of $n$. Is it true that the density of the integers for which $P(n+1)>P(n)$ is $1/2$? \prob{1.11} Let, for the sequence of primes $p$, $f(p)$ be independent random variables taking the values $f(p)=\pm 1$ each with probability $1/2$ and let us extend the sequence $f(p)$ to a completely multiplicative arithmetic function $f(n)$ by \[ f(n)=f(p_1)^{\alpha_1}\cdots f(p_r)^{\alpha_r} \] for $n$ having the prime factorization $n=p_1^{\alpha_1}\cdots p_r^{\alpha_r}$. Is it true that \[ \limsup_{N\to\infty}\frac{\left|\sum_{n=1}^N f(n)\right|}{\sqrt{N}}=\infty \] with probability 1? \prob{1.12} Let $a_11$ \[ \frac{4}{n}=\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{y}+\frac{1}{z} \] is solvable in integers $x,y,z$. \prob{1.14} What is the maximum number of integers $a_12$. \subsection*{1.3 Additive number theory} \prob{1.16} Let $A$ be a set of nonnegative integers, and let $r(n)$ denote the number of pairs $a,a'$ satisfying $a+a'=n$, $a,a'\in A$, $a\le a'$. Suppose $r(n)\ge 1$ for large $n$, that is, $A$ is a basis of order 2. Can $r(n)$ be bounded? Can it be $o(\log n)$? Can $r(n)/\log n$ tend to a finite nonzero limit? \prob{1.17 (Erd\H{o}s, S\'ark\"ozy)} Let $a_10$ for all $n$, then $\limsup_n g(n)=\infty$. \prob{1.18 (Sidon sets)} Let $A$ and $r(n)$ be as above. Suppose now that $r(n)\le 1$ for all $n$, that is, $A$ is a Sidon set. \begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*),leftmargin=*] \item Write $s(n)=\max\{|A|:A\subset [1,n]\}$. Is $s(n)=\sqrt{n}+O(1)$? (Numerical evidence and heuristic reasoning suggests that $s(n)-\sqrt{n}\to \infty$.) \item Is there an infinite $A=\{a_1\underline{d}(A)$ hold for every set $A$ with $0<\underline{d}(A)<1$? \prob{1.20 (Subset sums)} How many can be selected from the first $n$ natural numbers so that all their subset sums are distinct (like powers of 2)? Is this number $\log_2 n+O(1)$? \prob{1.21} Let $\alpha$ be an irrational number, say $\sqrt{2}$ and $n_1cn$ always possible? \item Avoid $b_1+b_2=a$, $b_i\in B$, $a\in A$. No decent estimates. \item Find $B$ so that all $2^k$ subset sums are distinct. Maximum is between $\log_3 n$ and $\log_2 n$. \end{enumerate} \prob{1.23} Let $a_1c\log n. \] \prob{1.31} \textbf{A system of congruences.} \\ $a_i\pmod{n_i}$, $n_10$, and $\alpha$ is not an integer, then the density of $n$ for which $\gcd(n,[n^\alpha])=1$ is $6/\pi^2$. \section{Analysis} \subsection*{2.1 Polynomials and interpolation} \prob{2.35} Let $p(z)$ be a monic polynomial of degree $n$ with complex coefficients. Prove that the length of the boundary of the set \[ E_n(p)=\{z\in\mathbb{C}:\ |p(z)|\le 1\} \] is $2n+O(1)$. [The best upper bounds so far are $74n^2$ (Pommerenke) and $O(n)$ (P.\ Borwein).] \prob{2.36} Is there an absolute constant $\epsilon>0$ such that the maximum norm on the unit circle of any polynomial of degree $n$ with coefficients $\pm1$ is at least $(1+\epsilon)\sqrt{n}$? \prob{2.37} Does there exist for every $n$ a polynomial $p_n(z)=\sum_{k=1}^n \epsilon_k z^k$ with coefficients $\epsilon_k=\pm1$ such that $c_1\sqrt{n}<|p_n(z)|n^c$ or $\sum_{k=1}^n A_n>n^{1+c}$ happens for infinitely many $n$ (with an absolute constant $c>0$)? [Wagner proved that $\limsup_{n\to\infty}A_n=\infty$.] \prob{2.39} Can one find an absolute constant $q<1$ and for every $n$ complex numbers $z_i$, $|z_i|\ge1$ $(i=1,\ldots,n)$ such that their power sums satisfy \[ \max_{2\le k\le n+1}\left|\sum_{i=1}^n z_i^k\right|0$ instead of $\epsilon_n$, convergent sequences of $p_n$ can be constructed.] \prob{2.43} Let $X_n$ be an arbitrary point group. Is it true that for almost all $x\in[-1,1]$ $\limsup_{n\to\infty}\lambda(X_n,x)>\frac{2}{\pi}\log n-c$ holds with some absolute constant $c$? \prob{2.44} Let $X_n$ be an arbitrary point group. Prove that for any $-1\le a\left[\frac{2}{\pi}+o(1)\right]\log n. \] \prob{2.45} Characterize the point group $X_n$ for which \[ \int_{-1}^1 \sum_{k=1}^n \ell_k(X_n,x)^2\,dx \] is minimal. [Erd\H{o}s conjectured that the minimum is attained for the roots of the integral of the Legendre polynomials, but this was disproved by Szabados.] \subsection*{2.2 Measure Theory} \prob{2.46} Is it true that for every infinite set $H\subset\mathbb{R}$ there exists a measurable set $A\subset\mathbb{R}$ of positive measure such that $A$ does not contain a similar copy of $H$? (We may assume that $H$ is a convergent sequence.) \prob{2.47} Is it true that there is an absolute constant $C$ so that if a set $S\subset\mathbb{R}^2$ has planar measure greater than $C$ then $S$ contains the vertices of a triangle of area $1$? Is $C=4\pi 3^{-3/2}$ true? (This is the area of the circle of radius $2\cdot 3^{-3/4}$.) \prob{2.48} Is it true that for every $0\le\alpha\le1$ there is a ring or field of Hausdorff dimension $\alpha$? [Erd\H{o}s and Volkmann proved the existence of a group of real numbers of Hausdorff dimension $\alpha$.] \section{Graphs and hypergraphs} \subsection*{3.1 Ramsey theory} Let $r(u,v)$ be the smallest integer for which every graph on $r(u,v)$ vertices contains either an independent set on $u$ vertices or a complete graph on $v$ vertices. Let $R(n)=r(n,n)$. Erd\H{o}s and Szekeres proved that \[ c\,n\,2^{n/2}(1+c)^n$. \prob{3.50} Prove that $\lim_{n\to\infty} R(n)^{1/n}=c$ exists. \prob{3.51} Prove $r(4,n)>n^{3-\epsilon}$. \prob{3.52} (Erd\H{o}s, Hajnal) If $H$ is any graph and $G$ is a graph of $n$ vertices which does not contain $H$ as an induced subgraph, then it must contain a complete subgraph or independent set of size $n^\epsilon$, where $\epsilon$ depends on $H$ only. \prob{3.53} (Erd\H{o}s, R\'enyi) Let $G(n)$ be a graph that does not contain a complete subgraph or independent set of size $c_1\log n$ vertices. Then $G$ contains $2^{cn}$ induced subgraphs no two of which are isomorphic. \prob{3.54} (Erd\H{o}s, Faudree, Ordman) Let $f(n)$ be the smallest integer for which if we color the edges of $K(n)$ by two colors there are at least $f(n)$ edge disjoint monochromatic triangles. Is it true that \[ f(n)=(1+o(1))\frac{n^2}{12}\,? \] \subsection*{3.2 Extremal problems} \prob{3.55} (Erd\H{o}s, T.\ S\'os) Let $T$ be a tree on $k$ vertices. If a graph $G$ on $n$ vertices contains no copy of $T$ then \[ e(G_n)\le \frac{k-2}{2}\,n. \] Let $G$ be a connected graph, and $T(n;G)$ be the smallest integer for which every graph of $n$ vertices and $T(n;G)$ edges contains $G$ as a subgraph. $T(n;G)$ is called the Tur\'an number of $G$, in memory of Tur\'an who started this subject. \prob{3.56} Let $G$ bipartite and $n$ be large. How many graphs on $n$ vertices are there which do not contain a copy of $G$? Denote this number by $f(n;G)$. Conjecture: \[ f(n,G)=2^{(1+o(1))T(n;G)}. \] In particular, is it true that for $G=C_4$, \[ f(n;C_4)=2^{(1/2+o(1))\,n^{3/2}}\,? \] \subsection*{3.3 Coloring problems} \prob{3.57} (Erd\H{o}s, Faber, Lov\'asz) If $G$ is the edge disjoint union of $n$ complete graphs of size $n$, then $G$ has chromatic number $n$. [J.\ Kahn proved that the chromatic number of $G$ is less than $(1+o(1))n$.] F\"{u}redi and Erd\H{o}s conjectured the following generalization: Let $G$ be the union of $n$ complete graphs of size $n$ every two of which have at most $k$ vertices in common. Then the chromatic number of $G$ is at most $kn$. \prob{3.58} (Erd\H{o}s, Hajnal) If $G$ has infinite chromatic number and if $2r_i+1$ $(i=1,2,\ldots)$ are the sizes of the odd circuits occurring in $G$, then $\sum 1/r_i=\infty$ and perhaps the $r_i$ have positive upper density. \prob{3.59} (Erd\H{o}s, Hajnal) Given natural numbers $k$ and $g$, for some $f(k,g)$ every graph of chromatic number at least $f(k,g)$ contains a graph of girth at least $g$ and chromatic number $k$. \prob{3.60} If $G$ is a critically $4$-chromatic graph on $n$ vertices, then the minimum degree of $G$ is $o(n)$? \subsection*{3.4 Random structures} \prob{3.61} (Bollob\'as, Erd\H{o}s) Let us start from a complete graph and delete edges as follows. Choose a random triangle in the graph, delete its edges, choose a random triangle in the remaining graph, delete its edges (at each step each triangle is chosen with the same probability) and iterate this. Stop when there are no triangles in the graph. Describe the typical parameters (structure) of the graph. This problem was motivated by the task of generating a random triangle-free graph. \prob{3.62} It is known that the chromatic number of almost every random graph $G_{n,1/2}$ is $(1+o(1))$ and that the concentration is considerably higher than this. Somewhat surprisingly, it is not known that the chromatic number of almost every $G_{n,1/2}$ is not concentrated on two values, say. In fact, it seems unlikely that for some constant $c$ the chromatic number of a random graph $G_{n,1/2}$ is concentrated on at most $c$ values. Perhaps it is also true that if $\omega(n)\to\infty$ sufficiently slowly then for every function $k(n)$ we have \[ P\bigl(|\chi(G_{n,1/2})-k(n)|<\omega n\bigr)>\frac12 \] if $n$ is sufficiently large. \subsection*{3.5 Set-systems} \prob{3.63} (Erd\H{o}s, Rado) Sets $A_i$, $1\le i\le t$ form a (strong) $\Delta$-system if the sets $A_i\cap A_j$ are all identical. Denote by $g_r(n)$ the smallest integer for which every family of $g_r(n)$ sets of size $n$ contains $r$ sets which form a $\Delta$-system. Erd\H{o}s and Rado proved that \[ 2^n4$, and $n$ large, there exists a family of triples with the property that among any $k$ elements there are at most $4$ triples. Such a family would have about $n^2$ triples. There exist some families with $n^{2-o(1)}$ triples; this is a theorem of Ruzsa and Szemer\'edi. \prob{3.65} Find a matching lower bound for the hypergraph version of the K\H{o}v\'ari--T.\ S\'os--Tur\'an Theorem. Let $\mathrm{ex}_t(n,r)$ denote the maximum number of edges in a $t$-partite $t$-uniform hypergraph that does not contain a complete $t$-partite subhypergraph with $r$ vertices in each class. What is \[ \lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{\log \mathrm{ex}_t(n,r)}{\log n}\,? \] Is the 1962 bound $t-1/r^{t-1}$? \section{Geometry} \prob{4.66} (Erd\H{o}s, Szekeres) Determine the minimum $f(k)$ such that in any set of $f(k)$ points in the plane (no three on a line) one can find $k$ in a convex position. The conjectured value is $f(k)=2^{k-2}+1$. There is a construction showing $f(k)\ge 2^{k-2}$. \prob{4.67} For an arbitrary set $S$ of $n$ points in the plane, the number of unit distances between the points of $S$ is $O(n^{1+\epsilon})$. \prob{4.68} (Erd\H{o}s--Moser) If $S$ is the set of vertices of a convex $n$-gon, then the number of unit distances between points of $S$ is $O(n)$. \prob{4.69} Let $S$ be a set of $n$ points in the plane; let $N(S)$ denote the number of different distances between points of $S$, and let $f(n)$ be the least value that $N(S)$ can have. Conjecture: $f(n)>cn^{1-\epsilon}$; furthermore, there exists a point $p\in S$ such that more than $cn^{1-\epsilon}$ different values occur among the distances $pq$, $q\in S$. \prob{4.70} Let $P$ be a finite projective plane. Does it contain a set $S$ of points such that $1\le |S\cap L|\le 1000$ for every line $L$? \section{Algebra} \prob{5.71} Denote by $g(n)$ the number of groups of order $n$. Conjecture: If $n\le 2^m$ then $g(n)\le g(2^m)$. \prob{5.72} (Erd\H{o}s, Tur\'an) If $f_k(n)$ denotes the number of elements $P$ of $S_n$ for which $O(P)=k$, for which values of $k$ will $f_k(n)$ be maximal? \prob{5.73} (Erd\H{o}s, Tur\'an) Determine the number of all subgroups of $S_n$ at least asymptotically. Is there a statistical theorem on their order? \prob{5.74} (Erd\H{o}s, Tur\'an) Describe (by statistical means) the arithmetic structure of the orders of subgroups of $S_n$. \prob{5.75} Let $G$ be a group. Assume that it has at most $n$ elements which do not commute pairwise. Denote by $h(n)$ the smallest integer for which $G$ can be covered by $h(n)$ Abelian groups. Determine or estimate $h(n)$ as well as possible. [Pyber and Isaacs proved that $2^{(n-1)/2}0 \quad\text{for each}\quad \|x\|\le R_n \quad (x\in\mathbb{Z}^2). \] Conjecture: $R_n$ is about $\exp((\log n)^{1/2})$. Kesten formulated the following stronger conjecture: \[ \lim_{n\to\infty} P\left\{\frac{(\log R_n)^2}{\log n}0,\ x\ge0). \] \prob{6.77} (Erd\H{o}s and R\'ev\'esz) A point $x_n\in\mathbb{Z}^2$ is called a favorite value at the moment $n$ if the particle visits $x_n$ most often during the first $n$ steps, i.e.\ \[ \xi(x_n,n)=\max_{y\in\mathbb{Z}^2}\xi(y,n). \] Let \[ F_n=\{x:\ \xi(x,n)=\max_{y\in\mathbb{Z}^2}\xi(y,n)\}. \] Find $P\{|F_n|=r\ \mathrm{i.o.}\}$ $(r=3,4,\ldots)$. \prob{6.78} (Erd\H{o}s, R\'ev\'esz) What can be said on \[ \alpha(n)=\left|\bigcup_{k=1}^n F_k\right|? \] The conjecture is that $\alpha(n)\le (\log n)^c$ for some $c>0$ a.s.\ for all but finitely many $n$. \section{Set theory} \prob{7.79} (Erd\H{o}s, Hajnal, Rado) If $r\ge2$ is finite, $\lambda$ is an infinite cardinal, and $\kappa_\alpha$ are cardinals for $\alpha<\gamma$, then \[ \lambda\nrightarrow(\kappa_\alpha)_{\alpha<\gamma}^r \quad\text{implies}\quad 2^\lambda\nrightarrow(\kappa_\alpha+1)_{\alpha<\gamma}^{r+1}. \] (here $+$ means cardinal addition, that is, $\kappa_\alpha+1=\kappa_\alpha$ if $\kappa_\alpha$ is infinite). \prob{7.80} (Erd\H{o}s, Hajnal, Rado) $\aleph_{\omega+1}\nrightarrow(\aleph_{\omega+1}, (3)_{\aleph_0})^2$ without the assumption of GCH. \prob{7.81} Is it consistent that $2^{\aleph_0}\rightarrow[\aleph_1]^2_3$ and $2^{\aleph_0}=\aleph_2$. [The consistency of $2^{\aleph_0}\rightarrow [\aleph_1]^2_3$ was established by Shelah, however, in his model $2^{\aleph_0}$ is a weakly inaccessible cardinal.] \prob{7.82} Describe when $\alpha\rightarrow(r,n)^2$ holds for $\alpha<\omega_1$ and $n$ finite. The simplest unsolved problem is if \[ \omega^{\omega^1}\rightarrow(\omega^{\omega^3},3)^2 \] holds. \prob{7.83} (Erd\H{o}s, Rado) Prove that $\omega_1\rightarrow(\alpha,n)^3$ holds for $\alpha<\omega_1$ and $n$ finite. \prob{7.84} Is it true that $\omega_1^2\rightarrow(\omega_1\omega,(3)_k)^2$ for every $k<\omega$? \prob{7.85} (Erd\H{o}s, Hajnal) Is it true that $\omega_1^2\nrightarrow(\omega_1^2,3)^2$? [Hajnal showed that this follows from CH.] \prob{7.86} Is it consistent that $\omega_2\rightarrow(\alpha)^2_2$ holds for every $\alpha<\omega_2$? [Laver showed the consistency of $\omega_2\rightarrow(\omega_1 2+1,\alpha)^2$ for all $\alpha<\omega_2$ and more recently Foreman and Hajnal showed the consistency of $\omega_2\rightarrow(\omega_1^2+1,\alpha)^2$ for all $\alpha<\omega_2$.] \prob{7.87} (Erd\H{o}s, Hajnal) One formulation of the Erd\H{o}s--Rado partition theorem (for exponent 2) is that $(2^\kappa)^+\rightarrow(\kappa^++1)^2_\kappa$ holds for every infinite cardinal $\kappa$. The simplest unsolved related problems are (under GCH): $\omega_3\rightarrow(\omega_2, \omega_1+2)^2$, $\omega_3\rightarrow(\omega_2+\omega_1,\omega_2+\omega)^2$, $\omega_2\rightarrow(\omega_1^{\omega+2}+2,\omega_1+2)^2$, and (from CH) $\omega_2\rightarrow(\omega_1+\omega)^2_2$. \prob{7.88} (Erd\H{o}s, Hajnal) Assume GCH and that $f$ is a set mapping on~$\omega_{\omega+1}$ with $|f(\alpha)\cap f(\beta)|<\aleph_\omega$ for $\alpha\ne\beta$. Is it true that there is a free set of cardinal $\aleph_{\omega+1}$? \prob{7.89} Is it true that any two uncountably chromatic graphs have a common $4$-chromatic subgraph? \prob{7.90} (Erd\H{o}s, Hajnal) Prove that every uncountably chromatic graph contains an $\aleph_0$-connected subgraph. \prob{7.91} (Erd\H{o}s, Hajnal) Is there a $K_4$-free graph $X$ such that every edge coloring of $X$ with countably many colors contains a monochromed triangle? Is there a $K_{\aleph_1}$-free graph $X$ such that every edge coloring of $X$ with countably many colors contains a monochromed $K_{\aleph_0}$? [Shelah proved that a graph with either property can consistently exist.] \prob{7.92} (Erd\H{o}s, Hajnal) Does there exist for every uncountable cardinal $\kappa$ another cardinal $\lambda$ such that every $\lambda$-chromatic graph contains a $\kappa$-chromatic triangle-free graph? [Shelah proved that a negative answer is consistent for $\kappa=\lambda=\aleph_1$.] \prob{7.93} (Erd\H{o}s, Galvin, Hajnal) Let $X$ be an $\aleph_1$-chromatic graph. Is it true that one can color the edges with $\aleph_1$ colors such that whenever the vertices are decomposed into countably many classes, then there is a class spanning all colors. [The consistency of this was shown by Hajnal and Komj\'ath.] \prob{7.94} (Erd\H{o}s, Hajnal) \begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*),leftmargin=*] \item Is it consistent (relative to ZFC) that if $G$ is an uncountably chromatic graph, then there are disjoint subgraphs $G_i$ $(i<\omega)$ such that $\chi(G_i)=\aleph_1$? \item Is it consistent that for some fixed $n$, every uncountably chromatic graph contains a subgraph of chromatic number $\aleph_1$ and girth at least $n$? \item Let $G$ be a graph with chromatic number $\aleph_2$. Must it have a subgraph with chromatic number $\aleph_1$? \end{enumerate} \medskip \noindent\emph{Collected by B.\ Bollob\'as, Z.\ F\"{u}redi, A.\ Hajnal, G.\ Hal\'asz, G.O.H.\ Katona, P.\ Komj\'ath, M.\ Laczkovich, L.\ Lov\'asz, L.\ Pyber, P.\ R\'ev\'esz, I.Z.\ Ruzsa, \'{A}.\ S\'{a}rk\"{o}zy, M.\ Simonovits, V.T.\ S\'os, J.\ Szabados, T.\ Sz\H{o}nyi, K.\ Vesztergombi, P.\ V\'{e}rtesi.} \end{document}