Minimum central circles: an effective characterization of the global asymptotic constant
Abstract: Let ${R^\ast}(n)$ be the least radius of a central circle to which nonoverlapping circles of radii $1,\ldots,n$ are externally tangent. We prove that ${R^\ast}(n)={C_\ast} n^2+o(n^2)$ and characterize ${C_\ast}$ by finite linear programs with an explicit error tending to zero. The reduction preserves arbitrary orders and all pairwise constraints: the limiting problem places marked points on a line at pairwise separation at least the geometric mean of their marks. Concatenation with a bounded boundary cost proves existence, and balanced finite-word programs supply matching effective upper and lower bounds. Their certified gap is $(1/k+1/r)/π$, before directed arithmetic error, for $k$ mark types and words of length $r$. A quantitative reflected-block recovery theorem supplies genuine permutations and full ring geometry, with a countable extension and a strict four-block improvement. The explicit interval is $C_{\mathrm{term}}+η_{\mathrm{width}}\le{C_\ast}\le U_4$; neither endpoint is asserted sharp. In particular, the coefficient $1/8$ proposed in the preceding finite study is false. An elementary expression for ${C_\ast}$, efficient high-precision evaluation and global floating-circle structure remain open.