PPL 072 / 177 permanent IDsPrize Problem Ledger · PPLChecked 2026.07.26
Prize Problem LedgerErdősPPL 072Erdős Problem #671

Permanent problem IDPPL 072

Verified openErdősconjecture

Analysis

Erdős Problem #671

Given a_(i)^n∈ [-1,1] for all 1≤ i≤ n<∈fty we define p_(i)^n as the unique polynomial of degree n-1 such that p_(i)^n(a_(i)^n)=1 and p_(i)^n(a_(i')^n)=0 if 1≤ i'≤ n with i≠ i'. We similarly define L^nf(x) = ∑_(1≤ i≤ n)f(a_i^n)p_i^n(x), the unique polynomial of degree n-1 which agrees with f on a_i^n for 1≤ i≤ n (that is, the sequence of Lagrange interpolation polynomials). Is there such a sequence of a_i^n such that for every continuous f:[-1,1]→ ℝ there exists some x∈ [-1,1] where \limsup_(n→ ∈fty) ∑_(1≤ i≤ n)| p_(i)^n(x)|=∈fty and yet L^nf(x) → f(x)? Is there such a sequence such that \limsup_(n→ ∈fty) ∑_(1≤ i≤ n)| p_(i)^n(x)|=∈fty for every x∈ [-1,1] and yet for every continuous f:[-1,1]→ ℝ there exists x∈ [-1,1] with L^nf(x) → f(x)?

analysis
01

The problem

Given a_(i)^n∈ [-1,1] for all 1≤ i≤ n<∈fty we define p_(i)^n as the unique polynomial of degree n-1 such that p_(i)^n(a_(i)^n)=1 and p_(i)^n(a_(i')^n)=0 if 1≤ i'≤ n with i≠ i'. We similarly define L^nf(x) = ∑_(1≤ i≤ n)f(a_i^n)p_i^n(x), the unique polynomial of degree n-1 which agrees with f on a_i^n for 1≤ i≤ n (that is, the sequence of Lagrange interpolation polynomials). Is there such a sequence of a_i^n such that for every continuous f:[-1,1]→ ℝ there exists some x∈ [-1,1] where \limsup_(n→ ∈fty) ∑_(1≤ i≤ n)| p_(i)^n(x)|=∈fty and yet L^nf(x) → f(x)? Is there such a sequence such that \limsup_(n→ ∈fty) ∑_(1≤ i≤ n)| p_(i)^n(x)|=∈fty for every x∈ [-1,1] and yet for every continuous f:[-1,1]→ ℝ there exists x∈ [-1,1] with L^nf(x) → f(x)?

Open since1931source estimate
Last checked2026.07.26Catalog verification
02

Reward offers

Offer 01$250Paul Erdős / Combinatorics Foundation
Documented

A solution must appear in a reputable journal, with documentation that Erdős offered the displayed amount. Claims are administered by the Combinatorics Foundation; erdosproblems.com does not pay awards.

03

Sources & reading