Mathematician solves the moving sofa problem

A mathematician from Yonsei University, Jineon Baek, has reportedly solved the long-standing moving sofa problem, which involves determining the largest sofa that can be maneuvered around a right-angled corner in a hallway. This problem, first posed by Leo Moser in 1966, has intrigued mathematicians for decades. Baek's proof, which spans over 100 pages and is available on the arXiv preprint server, utilizes the Gerver sofa—a mathematical construct introduced by Joseph Gerver in 1992—as a model. Baek's findings indicate that the maximum area of a Gerver sofa that can fit through a one-unit wide hallway is 2.2195 square units. The proof is significant as it not only defines the problem clearly but also specifies the shape of the Gerver sofa, suggesting that variations in the sofa's design could yield different results. While Baek's solution is a notable advancement, it will require validation from the mathematical community to confirm its accuracy and optimality.

- Jineon Baek claims to have solved the moving sofa problem, a mathematical challenge from 1966.

- The solution involves the Gerver sofa, with a maximum area of 2.2195 square units for a one-unit wide hallway.

- Baek's proof is over 100 pages long and is available on the arXiv preprint server.

- The shape of the sofa is crucial, as different designs may lead to different maximum area results.

- The proof will undergo scrutiny from other mathematicians to ensure its correctness.