Repository of problems worth solving
World Solve is a public institutional repository for identifying real unresolved problems across science, society, health, governance, economics, and local systems. Each entry is intended to be citable, inspectable, and actionable.
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4194Total
4194Open
0Solved
9Humans
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Proof by contradiction is a powerful and common technique, but whether every such proof has an equivalent direct version remains an open question in mathematical logic. This unresolved tension touches on deep questions about the nature of mathematical reasoning itself.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
proof
mathematical
whether
every
contradiction
direct
haven
resolved
relies
assuming
know
philosophy-ethics
possible
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some constraint puzzles, like certain scheduling or coloring problems, can be solved efficiently under specific conditions, but a fully general and efficient method covering every possible case remains unresolved. This unresolved question is central to both mathematics and artificial intelligence.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
artificial-intelligence
possible
efficient
method
every
constraint
don
know
whether
guarantee
solving
philosophy-ethics
resolved
haven
mathematical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Specific techniques exist for counting solutions in many cases, but a complete and general method covering every possible polynomial system remains an unresolved goal in algebraic geometry. This continues to be an active area of mathematical research.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
possible
general
method
solutions
system
polynomial
haven
determined
whether
construct
philosophy-ethics
resolved
know
every
mathematical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Chaos theory has revealed hidden order within some seemingly random systems, but whether this holds true for every possible chaotic process remains an open and unresolved question. This connects mathematics with physics, biology, and the philosophy of determinism.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
whether
every
possible
process
chaotic
some
order
don
know
infinite
philosophy-ethics
resolved
haven
mathematical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Symmetry groups have been classified extensively for finite cases, but infinite symmetry structures present ongoing classification challenges that remain incompletely resolved. This shapes foundational research in both algebra and geometry.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
resolved
infinite
haven
whether
possible
fully
classify
every
mathematical
structure
philosophy-ethics
know
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some models settle into stability under specific conditions, but a fully general guarantee covering every possible complex real-world system remains an unresolved and actively studied question. This touches applied mathematics, physics, and systems theory broadly.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
possible
guarantee
complex
real-world
system
don
know
whether
any
sufficiently
philosophy-ethics
resolved
haven
every
mathematical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Logical simplification techniques work well for many cases, but a fully general method guaranteed to simplify every possible logical structure remains unresolved. This connects formal logic with the practical design of computer circuits and databases.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
logical
every
possible
but
structure
don
know
whether
pattern
interconnected
resolved
mathematics-logic
philosophy-ethics
haven
mathematical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Gödel's theorems confirm this for many well-known systems, but whether every conceivable finite proof system inevitably faces this limitation remains an unresolved logical question. This continues to shape foundational research into the nature of formal systems.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
whether
every
finite
proof
system
haven
determined
mathematical
must
eventually
philosophy-ethics
resolved
know
possible
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Shape matching is solved efficiently for many specific cases, but a complete and efficient general method for every possible shape comparison remains an unresolved computational geometry question. This has real applications in computer vision and pattern recognition.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
whether
possible
general
efficient
method
don
know
construct
fully
determining
haven
philosophy-ethics
resolved
mathematics-logic
every
mathematical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Stability analysis offers strong tools for many specific systems, but a fully general and precise predictive theory covering every possible system remains incomplete. This unresolved boundary connects pure mathematics with physics, engineering, and economics.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
possible
fully
system
haven
resolved
whether
predict
exact
conditions
under
philosophy-ethics
know
every
mathematical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Information theory provides strong bounds on efficiency for many specific cases, but proving whether truly optimal encoding always exists for every possible scenario remains an unresolved theoretical question. This connects mathematics directly to modern data compression and communication.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
encoding
whether
every
possible
information
always
don
know
way
mathematically
philosophy-ethics
resolved
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Enclosing shape problems, like finding the smallest circle or polygon containing a set of points, are solved for many specific shape types, but a fully general theory covering every possible enclosing shape remains incomplete. This connects computational geometry with practical applications like facility location.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
shape
every
set
points
smallest
possible
specific
haven
determined
whether
resolved
know
philosophy-ethics
mathematical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some equations are proven to have no whole-number solutions through specific clever arguments, but a fully general and unified explanatory framework covering every such case remains an unresolved number-theoretic goal. This continues to drive research into Diophantine equations.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
equations
framework
fully
have
solutions
don
know
whether
possible
construct
philosophy-ethics
resolved
haven
every
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Statistical and mathematical tools can detect many kinds of patterns efficiently, but a fully general and guaranteed method covering every possible hidden pattern type remains an unresolved theoretical question. This connects pure mathematics with the practical challenges of modern data analysis.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
possible
fully
method
hidden
patterns
pure
mathematical
analysis
haven
proven
whether
philosophy-ethics
resolved
know
every
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some infinite objects can be perfectly captured by finite descriptions, like certain repeating decimals, but many others resist any such finite representation, and the full boundary between the two remains incompletely mapped. This unresolved question touches deeply on the philosophy of mathematical infinity.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
finite
infinite
mathematical
any
don
know
whether
every
possible
object
resolved
haven
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Many specific combinatorial puzzles have been solved exactly, but a fully general theory predicting solution counts across every possible puzzle type remains an unresolved and active area of combinatorics. This connects recreational mathematics with deep unresolved theoretical questions.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
possible
general
theory
predicting
combinatorial
puzzle
haven
proven
whether
construct
philosophy-ethics
resolved
know
every
mathematical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Free expression is broadly valued as essential to a healthy society, but some speech can contribute to tangible harm, creating an unresolved tension between liberty and protection. This debate remains central to discussions on censorship and hate speech.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
free
expression
harm
don
know
whether
ethical
prioritize
protecting
even
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Many social systems implicitly reward productivity with greater respect or resources, yet most ethical traditions insist human worth shouldn't depend on usefulness alone. This unresolved tension underlies debates about disability, aging, and social value.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
worth
productivity
don
have
resolved
way
determine
whether
fair
base
know
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Promises are generally treated as morally binding regardless of changing circumstances, but this can sometimes conflict with what seems like the genuinely better or more compassionate choice. This unresolved tension appears throughout personal and contractual ethics.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
binding
circumstances
don
know
whether
possible
justify
treating
promise
even
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Competition can drive genuine excellence and innovation, but it also guarantees that some participants will predictably fail through no unique fault of their own. This unresolved tension underlies debates about fairness in education, employment, and markets.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
haven
resolved
whether
ethical
allow
competitive
systems
inevitably
produce
both
philosophy-ethics
know
mathematics-logic
determine
possible