Pólya’s conjecture is the usual example of a statement that’s true for many cases, but breaks down for some large value of n. In that example, n=906150257. However, I think I have a new favourite: gcd(n^17 + 9, (n+1)^17 + 9) = 1 for all n < 8424432925592889329288197322308900672459420460792433 (More counterexamples at oeis.org/A010034)

Follow

@gws I'm curious what made you think of that gcd of polynomial values about now. A friend has described it to me as a puzzle last week and I wonder if there's a common reason for you both thinking about it nowish.

@robryk a comment thread about the Riemann Hypothesis on Hacker News led me down a rabbit hole to it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Probably just a coincidence!

Sign in to participate in the conversation
Qoto Mastodon

QOTO: Question Others to Teach Ourselves
An inclusive, Academic Freedom, instance
All cultures welcome.
Hate speech and harassment strictly forbidden.