Papers for

computational complexity engineers

Papers whose findings have a practical use for this group, as judged from the abstract. Open a paper to read what it means in practice.

AI enables tighter bound on chromatic number in graph theory

Tweaking the constant in the Linear Hadwiger Theorem

Abstract: Norin and Steiner recently proved the Linear Hadwiger Conjecture. That is, there is an absolute constant $C$ such that every graph $G$ satisfies $χ(G)\leqslant C\,\text{had}(G)$, where $χ(G)$ is the chromatic number and $\text{had}(G)$ is the Hadwiger number of $G$. Their proof gives a non-optimised constant $C$ of order $10^{100}$. This paper uses extensive AI-based optimisation to show that every graph $G$ satisfies $χ(G) \leqslant 19{,}885{,}160\,\text{had}(G)$.

Wed 7 OctDiscrete Mathematics
The gist
In graph theory, a major question is how many colors you need to color a graph without overlapping colors on connected points. A recent proof showed there's a constant connecting this number to a graph’s Hadwiger number but with an extremely large constant. The authors use artificial intelligence to reduce that huge constant to a much smaller, more practical number. This means the coloring rules can be better understood and applied using improved bounds.
Open → 2610.10831v1

Local uniqueness barriers found for complex 48-term matrix multiplication method

Certified local rank and uniqueness barriers for a 48-term matrix-multiplication decomposition

Abstract: We study replacements in fixed bilinear tensor decompositions, counting changes to complete rank-one summands, including output factors. The shortening frontier records the maximum rank defect of a fixed-size subset and determines the minimum length attainable within a change budget. For the rational 48-term Li--Wang--Hu decomposition \(D(2)\) of \(4\times4\) matrix multiplication over \(\mathbb{C}\), we prove rank radius at least 12, strong radius exactly 11, and border radius at least 8. Every shorter complex decomposition therefore changes at least thirteen original summands. An exact rational twelve-term replacement attains the equal-length barrier. The proofs combine exhaustive support reductions with saturated projected kernels and zero-corner completion arguments controlling arbitrary minimal competitors. A reduced-incidence argument transfers kernel certificates to tensor-space neighborhoods. A Laurent normal form gives strong radius exactly 11 for the sixteen-term core at every nonzero complex parameter. On a nonempty Zariski-open subset of the actual parameter curve, the rank radius is at least 12, the strong radius exactly 11, and the border radius at least 8. We also prove incomparability of the full Kothari--Moitra--Wein sufficient criterion and the Sylvester-equipped kernel criterion. These results describe local decomposition structure rather than a new rank bound for full matrix multiplication.

Fri 11 SeptSymbolic ComputationComputational Complexity
The gist
Matrix multiplication can be done in different ways using simpler building blocks, and researchers are interested in the smallest number of these blocks needed. This study looks closely at a known 48-part method for multiplying 4x4 matrices and shows that to find a shorter method, you would have to change many of these parts at once. The authors provide exact measures of how flexible the method is around this known decomposition, meaning any change to use fewer parts faces big barriers. Their work helps understand how unique and stable this matrix multiplication method is on a technical level.
Open → 2609.13596v1

Boolean Holant problems with complex signatures show clear complexity divide

A Dichotomy for Boolean Complex Holant Problems with Conjugate-Closed Signature Sets

Abstract: We study Boolean Holant problems with complex-valued signature sets closed under conjugation. Such sets arise naturally in tensor-network expressions for classical strong simulation of quantum circuits. We prove a complexity dichotomy for such problems with an explicit tractability criterion. This extends the dichotomy for real-valued Holant problems, with the same four tractability conditions. Our proofs use Xia's projective binary group framework and quantum entanglement theory. The conjugate closure assumption precisely makes $k$-uniformity, directly applicable to the classification of Holant problems, by realizing reduced density matrices via Holant gadgets. We also use the classification of absolutely maximally entangled states to resolve a particular $6$-ary obstruction in our inductive proof of the \#P-hardness.

Fri 11 SeptComputational Complexity
The gist
This paper studies a type of mathematical puzzle called Boolean Holant problems, where answers come from complex numbers with a special symmetry. The authors found a clear rule that tells which of these puzzles can be solved easily and which are hard. Their work uses tools from quantum information theory and group theory. This helps understand the complexity of problems that show up when simulating quantum circuits.
Open → 2609.13132v1