Short··0:21·Combinatorics

Erdős–Gallai Conjecture: Every Graph Splits Into Few Loops

Short · 0:21 · 12 October 2026Watch on YouTube →

Watch on YouTubeAbout the problem →

About this video

The Erdős–Gallai cycle-decomposition conjecture asks whether the links of every graph on n dots can be split into at most C·n pieces, each a simple cycle or a single link, for one fixed constant C, even when the graph is dense and has about n² links. OpenAI claims a proof that such a constant exists for every finite simple graph; this is OpenAI's preprint, not yet peer reviewed. The animation peels a real random graph with 20 dots and 88 links into 9 cycles and 10 single links.

Paper (OpenAI, catalogue result 181):
- A linear cycle-and-edge decomposition of every graph: github.com/openai/math/blob/main/preprints/A-linear-cycle-and…

The animation illustrates the result; it is not a proof.

Gradient Damage: mathematics you can see, equations you can hear.
youtube.com/@gradientdamage

Every result explained: gradientdamage.com/p/181

About the problem

Combinatorics·OpenAI Math·Result 181

The Erdős–Gallai cycle-decomposition conjecture

Proves that the edges of every finite simple undirected graph on n vertices can be partitioned into at most Cn simple cycles and single edges, for an absolute constant C. This resolves the Erdős–Gallai cycle-decomposition conjecture, bounding the number of pieces linearly even for dense graphs. (Lean)

OpenAI, in its public catalogue of maths results · preprint, not peer reviewed

The papers and the claim →

Topics

Erdős–Gallai conjectureErdos Gallai conjecturecycle decompositioncycle decomposition conjectureErdős–Gallai cycle decompositionedge decompositiongraph decompositioncycles and edgesgraph theoryextremal graph theorycombinatoricsPaul ErdősTibor Gallaidense graphsOpenAIOpenAI mathAI mathematicsAI proofmathsmathematicsmath shorts3D animationErdos-Gallai conjectureErdos-Gallai cycle decompositionPaul Erdos