GPT-5.6 used a prompt to close a 30-year gap in convex optimization
Breakthrough: GPT-5.6 Resolves Three-Decade Convex Optimization Mystery
🚀 The Headline News
In a stunning display of artificial intelligence capability, GPT-5.6 has successfully bridged a 30-year void in the field of convex optimization. This achievement was made possible through the application of a specific prompting technique, mirroring the methodology used in the previous "CDC proof" announcement. To ensure absolute mathematical rigor, the result was formally verified using the Lean theorem prover.
Post Metadata:
- Date: July 15, 2026
- Community:
r/math - Reception: 726 points (95% approval rating)
🛠️ Community Governance: The Rules of /r/math
The discussion took place within the r/math subreddit, a community dedicated to the practice and profession of mathematics. To maintain high standards, the following regulations are strictly enforced:
Core Guidelines
- Thematic Consistency: All content must be directly related to mathematics.
- Note: Political discourse is only permitted if it pertains to concrete events affecting the mathematical community.
General political rambling is forbidden.
- Note: Political discourse is only permitted if it pertains to concrete events affecting the mathematical community.
- Substantive Inquiry: Questions must be designed to trigger deep discussion.
- Use the dedicated thread.
- Use
r/askmathorr/theydidthemath. - Use
r/learnmath.
- Academic Integrity: . Please visit
r/homeworkhelporr/cheatatmathhomework. - Professional Advice: Career or educational guidance is restricted to the stickied Career Education Questions thread.
- Quality Media: Image or video posts must be high-effort and accompanied by a comment explaining their relevance to promote dialogue.
- Interpersonal Conduct:
"Be excellent to each other. Do not troll, insult, antagonize, or otherwise harass."
Moderation Workflow:
📅 Weekly Schedule & Resources
The community organizes its discussions via a recurring calendar:
- Monday: "What Are You Working On?"
- Tuesday: "Discussing Living Proof"
- Wednesday: "Quick Questions"
- Thursday: "Career and Education Questions"
- Friday: "This Week I Learned"
- Weekend: Review of Free Online Math Resources
✍️ Technical Guide: Rendering Mathematics on Reddit
To properly view the complex notation used in these discussions, users are encouraged to install specific tools:
| Tool | Type | Configuration Note |
|---|---|---|
| MathJax | Userscript | Requires Greasemonkey or Tampermonkey |
| TeX all the things | Chrome Extension | Set inline math to [ ; ; ] |
| TeXtheWorld | Userscript | Standard installation |
Syntax Examples
To display a formula like Euler's Identity:
[ ; e^{\pi i}+1=0 ; ]
Result:
Formatting Cheat Sheet:
- Subscripts:
x*_sub_* - Superscripts:
x^(sup) - Combined:
x*_sub_*sup*
🔣 Mathematical Symbol Reference
The following symbols are frequently utilized within the community:
| Category | Symbols |
|---|---|
| Basic Math | |
| Geometry | |
| Algebra | |
| Set Theory | |
| Logic | |
| Analysis | |
| Greek |
🌐 The Broader Ecosystem
For those seeking specialized knowledge, the following related subreddits are recommended:
General Math
r/learnmathr/mathbooksr/puremathematicsr/casualmath
Technical Tools
r/mathematicar/matlabr/sagemath
Interdisciplinary Fields
r/algorithmsr/compscir/statisticsr/numericalr/actuary