A positivity conjecture related to the Riemann zeta function

Abstract

According to two remarkable theorems of Nyman and B\'aez-Duarte, the Riemann hypothesis is equivalent to a simply-stated criterion concerning least-squares approximation. In carrying out computations related to this criterion, we have observed a curious phenomenon: for no apparent reason, at least the first billion entries of a certain infinite triangular matrix associated to the Riemann zeta function are all positive. In this article we describe the background leading to this observation, and make a conjecture.