The "P vs NP" problem is a major unsolved question in computer science. It asks whether every problem that can be verified quickly (in polynomial time, or NP) can also be solved quickly (in polynomial time, or P). In simpler terms, if we can check a solution quickly, can we also find that solution quickly? If it turns out that P equals NP, it would mean that many complex problems, like scheduling or cryptography, could be solved efficiently. Conversely, if P does not equal NP, it would imply that some problems are inherently difficult to solve, even if we can verify their solutions quickly.