The Kakeya conjecture

Snapshots of modern mathematics from Oberwolfach

The Kakeya conjecture

The geometry of lines is a fundamental part of mathematics and the way we interact with the physical world. Core concepts such as distance and angle, and the accompanying theory of trigonometry, have been studied since antiquity and taught to countless generations of students. However, there are simple questions about lines which have stumped some of the greatest minds in mathematics over the last fifty years. One notable example is the Kakeya conjecture, which asks how lines which point in different directions can be packed together in a small space.

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Mathematical subjects

Analysis

Connections to other fields

Physics

Author(s)

Jonathan Hickman

License

DOI (Digital Object Identifier)

10.14760/SNAP-2026-008-EN

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snapshot-2026-008.pdf

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snapshots: overview

Jonathan Hickman
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Mathematical subjects

Algebra and Number Theory
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Chemistry and Earth Science
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Reflections on Mathematics

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