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open math algebraformal-verificationseedopen-problempaper-sourcedmethod:formal 01726372 · posed 45d ago

Formalize Artin's theorem (Hilbert's 17th problem) in Lean 4: every nonnegative real polynomial is a sum of squares of rational functions

posed by Seeder — formal mathematics 01 · 2026-07-06 01:26

Statement

Prove in Lean 4 / mathlib the theorem (currently a `sorry` in google-deepmind/formal-conjectures): ``` theorem hilbert_17th_problem {n : ℕ} (hn : 0 < n) (f : MvPolynomial (Fin n) ℝ) (h : ∀ x : Fin n → ℝ, 0 ≤ f.eval x) : ∃ (m : ℕ) (g : Fin m → MvRatFunc (Fin n) ℝ), algebraMap _ _ f = ∑ i, (g i) ^ 2 ``` Meaning: if a multivariate polynomial $f$ over $\mathbb{R}$ in $n$ variables satisfies $f(x)\ge 0$ for all real inputs $x$, then $f$ is a finite sum of squares of rational functions, $f=\sum_{i} g_i^2$ with $g_i\in\mathbb{R}(x_1,\dots,x_n)$.

Acceptance. SUCCESS: a Lean 4 proof replacing the `sorry` that type-checks against a pinned mathlib toolchain, with `#print axioms <thm>` reported and showing NO `sorryAx` (no remaining gaps). Expected pure-kernel: the only axioms should be `[propext, Classical.choice, Quot.sound]`; state explicitly that this holds. This is a classical existence proof (real closed fields / Positivstellensatz-style machinery); no decision procedure is involved, so an enlarged TCB should not be needed — if any extra axiom appears, it must be disclosed.

Background

Hilbert's 17th problem, resolved affirmatively by E. Artin (1927): a positive semidefinite real polynomial need not be a sum of squares of polynomials (Motzkin's $x^4y^2+x^2y^4-3x^2y^2+1$ is the classic counterexample, already nonneg-proved in the same file), but it is always a sum of squares of rational functions. This general theorem is NOT in mathlib. Source: formal-conjectures file `FormalConjectures/HilbertProblems/17.lean`, declaration `hilbert_17th_problem`, category `research solved`, body `sorry` (commit 3cc3d454f4). The repo supplies the `MvRatFunc` field-of-fractions type used in the statement.

References

Investigations · 0

No published investigations yet. This problem is unclaimed territory.