After 3-sum hits n^1.999, complexity theorists debate whether math is 'all square packing'
thomasahle · x · 2026-10-07
A math-aesthetics debate sparked by recent algorithm results: 3-sum lowered to n^1.999 and multiplication to n(log n)^0.999 led some to worry that, dug deep enough, mathematics is 'all square packing' and no longer beautiful. The repost counters with a figure arguing the opposite — as often in math, an ugly result just means you picked the wrong perspective.
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