P=NP question

The P=NP question asks whether every problem whose solution can be quickly verified (NP) can also be quickly solved (P). In other words, if you can efficiently check that a solution is correct, does that mean you can also efficiently find that solution in the first place? This is a fundamental question in computer science that impacts fields like cryptography, optimization, and algorithm design. If P=NP, many complex problems would become easier to solve; if not, some problems will remain computationally hard despite easy verification.