Theorem $(1+1.9)$ on the Goldbach Conjecture

Abstract

For $1 \leq a \leq 2$, we say Proposition $(1+a)$ holds if every sufficiently large even integer $N$ can be written as $$N = p + rq, \quad r \leq q^{a-1},$$ where $r$ is either $1$ or prime, and $p,q$ are primes. Thus Proposition $(1+1)$ is essentially the binary Goldbach Conjecture, and Proposition $(1+2)$ is Chen's theorem. We prove unconditionally that Proposition $(1+1.9)$ is true. Assuming the Elliott--Halberstam Conjecture, the exponent $1.9$ can be improved to $1.4$. Analogously, Proposition $(1-a)$ is formulated for the Twin Prime Conjecture. Unconditionally, we prove Proposition $(1-1.75)$, and under the Elliott--Halberstam Conjecture, Proposition $(1-1.4)$. For six decades, a substantial theoretical divide has persisted between Propositions $(1+2)$ and $(1+1)$, and likewise between Propositions $(1-2)$ and $(1-1)$. By constructing new weighted sieves and adopting new analytic tools, this paper establishes a connecting pathway between them and achieves breakthroughs in this line of research.