illumination problem

noun

A mathematical problem, asking whether a room with mirrored walls can always be illuminated by a single-point light source, allowing for repeated reflection of light off the mirrored walls. It was solved in 1958: there are such rooms that cannot be thus illuminated.

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Meanings

noun
  1. mathematicsA mathematical problem, asking whether a room with mirrored walls can always be illuminated by a single-point light source, allowing for repeated reflection of light off the mirrored walls. It was solved in 1958: there are such rooms that cannot be thus illuminated.

Origin

From illumination + problem.

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Cite this entry
APA

illumination problem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/illumination%20problem

MLA

“illumination problem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/illumination%20problem. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “illumination problem,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/illumination%20problem.

Source: illumination problem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.