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Erdős #661 · geometry / distances

Are there, for all large nn, some points x1,…,xn,y1,…,yn∈R2x_1,\ldots,x_n,y_1,\ldots,y_n\in \mathbb{R}^2 such that the number of distinct distances d(xi,yj)d(x_i,y_j) is

o(nlog⁡n)?o\left(\frac{n}{\sqrt{\log n}}\right)?
Source reports OPENAs of 2026-09-08Source & evidence ↓

Problem statement

Are there, for all large nn, some points x1,…,xn,y1,…,yn∈R2x_1,\ldots,x_n,y_1,\ldots,y_n\in \mathbb{R}^2 such that the number of distinct distances d(xi,yj)d(x_i,y_j) is

o(nlog⁡n)?o\left(\frac{n}{\sqrt{\log n}}\right)?

Lean 4

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Background

One can also ask this for points in R3\mathbb{R}^3. In R4\mathbb{R}^4 Lenz observed that there are x1,…,xn,y1,…,yn∈R4x_1,\ldots,x_n,y_1,\ldots,y_n\in \mathbb{R}^4 such that d(xi,yj)=1d(x_i,y_j)=1 for all i,ji,j, taking the points on two orthogonal circles.

More generally, if F(2n)F(2n) is the minimal number of such distances, and f(2n)f(2n) is minimal number of distinct distances between any 2n2n points in R2\mathbb{R}^2, then is F=o(f)F =o(f)?

See also [89].

Progress & source assessment

The source labels this entry OPEN in the 2026-09-08 snapshot. Editorial progress notes are reproduced as source commentary, not independently verified results. Prize amounts and Lean badges at the source are not local awards or verification.

References
  1. [1]Thomas Bloom (ed.), Erdős Problems #661 link

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