(mathematics) The problem of deciding whether a given expression is equal to zero.

The problem of determining the minimum electrostatic potential energy configuration of a given number of electrons constrained to the surface of a unit sphere that repel each other with a force given by Coulomb's law.

plural of problem statement

Synonym of art gallery problem

(probability theory) The problem of selecting the best out of n applicants for a position, under the condition that all applicants are interviewed in random order, the quality of the applicants is not known before interviewing, and once rejected an applicant cannot be recalled.

(creationism, pseudoscience) The conflict between Young Earth creationism (asserting that the universe is thousands of years old) and the starlight-related measurements that show the universe to be billions of years old.

(number theory) The problem of whether each natural number k has an associated positive integer s such that every natural number is the sum of at most s natural numbers raised to the power k.

(mathematics, UK, Canada) The problem in combinatorial optimization in which, given a number of cities and the costs of travelling from one to the other, it is required to determine the cheapest route that visits each city once and then returns to the initial city.

the millennium bug

A proposal that does not solve any problem or provide any value; or one that is intended to fill a need which does not really exist.