Problem detail · source-aware

Feige's Conjecture

resolvedconfidence 70%

VibeMathed reports this item as resolved. VibeMath preserves that report as a source assertion and has not independently authored a plain-language mathematical explanation.

Precise statement

Let $X_1,\ldots,X_n$ be independent nonnegative random variables with $\mathbb{E}X_i \le 1$, and let $S$ be their sum. Is $\mathbb{P}(S < \mathbb{E}S + 1) \ge 1/e$? Feige proved the constant $1/13$ and conjectured the sharp $1/e$. Three independent July 2026 proofs settle it, both building on the Vlassis-Thomas calibration theorem; the sharper one determines the optimal small-deviation bound for every deviation $\delta \ge 1$.

The source statement is reproduced for indexing with attribution. Mathematical correctness requires domain-expert or mechanical review. VibeMath has not independently audited statement fidelity, correctness, priority, or novelty.

What AI did

ChatGPT 5.6 Pro, GPT-5.6 Sol, Codex

The primary paper states plainly that the proof was found by ChatGPT 5.6 Pro, combining the Vlassis-Thomas Dirichlet calibration theorem with Grünbaum-type convex geometry; the authors checked, revised and rewrote the argument, and the accompanying Lean formalization was developed with Codex. The independent second proof by Nie and Wei was obtained with the assistance of GPT-5.6 Sol. A further independent proof was found by Stander.

Provider: OpenAI · Prompt public: unknown · Independence: unknown

Verification boundary

lean verified statement audited

An end-to-end Lean formalization of the $e^{-1}$ conjecture accompanies the primary paper, formalizing the Vlassis-Thomas theorem, Grünbaum's centroid theorem and the combining argument. Three independent AI-assisted proofs appeared within days; neither preprint is peer-reviewed yet.

Correctness: supported · statement fidelity: audited · peer review: none

Timeline

  1. arXiv:2607.23980 - Sharp small-deviation inequalities for sums of independent nonnegative random variables

    VibeMathed reports this item as resolved. VibeMath preserves that report as a source assertion and has not independently authored a plain-language mathematical explanation.

Known method families

argument (source-reported)

Source-reported tools: argument.

Independent: unknown · difference confidence: 0

What remains uncertain

VibeMath has not independently audited the mathematical statement, proof, or novelty claim.

  • VibeMath has not independently verified the mathematical claim.
  • AI-attempt independence and training-data exposure are unknown unless explicitly documented.
  • VibeMath has not independently audited the mathematical statement, proof, or novelty claim.