The P vs NP problem is a major unsolved question in computer science that asks whether every problem whose solution can be quickly verified by a computer can also be quickly solved by a computer. In simpler terms, it questions if problems that are easy to check are also easy to solve. If it turns out that P (problems solvable in polynomial time) is equal to NP (problems verifiable in polynomial time), 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 their solutions can be verified quickly.