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Can worst-case trace reconstruction be done with polynomially many traces?

Theorem 1.1: for fixed s∈(0,1]s\in(0,1] and 0<c<1/(4log⁡2)0<c<1/(4\log 2), Tq,s(n)≥nclog⁡(q3log⁡n)T_{q,s}(n)\ge n^{c\log(q^3\log n)} eventually whenever q3log⁡n→∞q^3\log n\to\infty; so Tq(n)=nΩ(log⁡log⁡n)T_q(n)=n^{\Omega(\log\log n)} at every fixed qq, a negative answer to the polynomial question. Theorem 1.2: the minimum total variation between one-trace laws of distinct length-nn words is o(n−A)o(n^{-A}) for all AA. The companions give a matching-type upper side: quasipolynomial samples and bit complexity with a uniform decoder for known rational retention, and polynomial bounds when q≤n−εq\le n^{-\varepsilon}. A gap remains between log⁡T\log T of order log⁡nlog⁡log⁡n\log n\log\log n (lower) and a power of log⁡n\log n (upper); the exact complexity is not determined.

Exact FrontierDelta

Prior state unknown→disproved

Scope and record

Occurred: Sep 24, 2026

Delta type: SOURCE CLAIM

Assumptions: VibeMathed verification: lean-checked. Publication: announcement. AI contribution: ai-discovered. VibeMathed editorial classifications, scores, notes, relations, and dataset structure are CC BY 4.0. Source statements and linked content retain their own rights.

Canonical aliases: Can worst-case trace reconstruction be done with polynomially many traces? · Polynomial-sample trace reconstruction

Confidence: Not scored

Registry verification: lean checked · announcement · candidate

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VibeMathed
registry · event recorded by

Unreleased internal OpenAI model
model · ai model contributor · OpenAI

Artifacts and verifiers

Lean proof (OAI.TraceReconstruction, superpolynomial sample lower bounds)

lean artifact · pending

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Companion: A latest-anchor induction with spectrally compact masks for worst-case trace reconstruction evidence for this event

This event attributed to Unreleased internal OpenAI model

Companion: Uniform quasipolynomial-time trace reconstruction evidence for this event

Theorem 1.1: for fixed s∈(0,1]s\in(0,1] and 0<c<1/(4log⁡2)0<c<1/(4\log 2), Tq,s(n)≥nclog⁡(q3log⁡n)T_{q,s}(n)\ge n^{c\log(q^3\log n)} eventually whenever q3log⁡n→∞q^3\log n\to\infty; so Tq(n)=nΩ(log⁡log⁡n)T_q(n)=n^{\Omega(\log\log n)} at every fixed qq, a negative answer to the polynomial question. Theorem 1.2: the minimum total variation between one-trace laws of distinct length-nn words is o(n−A)o(n^{-A}) for all AA. The companions give a matching-type upper side: quasipolynomial samples and bit complexity with a uniform decoder for known rational retention, and polynomial bounds when q≤n−εq\le n^{-\varepsilon}. A gap remains between log⁡T\log T of order log⁡nlog⁡log⁡n\log n\log\log n (lower) and a power of log⁡n\log n (upper); the exact complexity is not determined. parent of this event

Lean proof (OAI.TraceReconstruction, superpolynomial sample lower bounds) evidence for this event

Can worst-case trace reconstruction be done with polynomially many traces? parent of this event

Can worst-case trace reconstruction be done with polynomially many traces? evidence for this event

VibeMathed record: Can worst-case trace reconstruction be done with polynomially many traces? evidence for this event

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