theoretical-computer-science / Space-bounded derandomization

Derandomization of logarithmic space: is L = RL = BPL?

Claims L=RL=BPL\mathsf L=\mathsf{RL}=\mathsf{BPL}: every language decided with bounded one-sided or two-sided error by a randomized machine with polynomial worst-case running time and O(log⁡n)O(\log n) space is decided by a deterministic O(log⁡n)O(\log n)-space machine. Quantitatively, acceptance probabilities can be approximated to within 2−q2^{-q} in space O(log⁡(n+2)+q)O(\log(n+2)+q) and time (n+2)O(1)2O(q)(n+2)^{O(1)}2^{O(q)}. The method builds a hierarchy of copies of the configuration graph with a shared finite random environment and evaluates a family of O(log⁡n)O(\log n)-bit estimators, more than three quarters of them accurate, by exhaustive enumeration. It does not give a pseudorandom generator with logarithmic seed, and it does not address randomized logspace without a polynomial time bound.

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theoretical-computer-scienceSep 23, 2026Significance 65/100Registry: lean checked

Derandomization of logarithmic space: is L = RL = BPL?

Prior state unknown→proved

Claims L=RL=BPL\mathsf L=\mathsf{RL}=\mathsf{BPL}: every language decided with bounded one-sided or two-sided error by a randomized machine with polynomial worst-case running time and O(log⁡n)O(\log n) space is decided by a deterministic O(log⁡n)O(\log n)-space machine. Quantitatively, acceptance probabilities can be approximated to within 2−q2^{-q} in space O(log⁡(n+2)+q)O(\log(n+2)+q) and time (n+2)O(1)2O(q)(n+2)^{O(1)}2^{O(q)}. The method builds a hierarc…

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Claims L=RL=BPL\mathsf L=\mathsf{RL}=\mathsf{BPL}: every language decided with bounded one-sided or two-sided error by a randomized machine with polynomial worst-case running time and O(log⁡n)O(\log n) space is decided by a deterministic O(log⁡n)O(\log n)-space machine. Quantitatively, acceptance probabilities can be approximated to within 2−q2^{-q} in space O(log⁡(n+2)+q)O(\log(n+2)+q) and time (n+2)O(1)2O(q)(n+2)^{O(1)}2^{O(q)}. The method builds a hierarchy of copies of the configuration graph with a shared finite random environment and evaluates a family of O(log⁡n)O(\log n)-bit estimators, more than three quarters of them accurate, by exhaustive enumeration. It does not give a pseudorandom generator with logarithmic seed, and it does not address randomized logspace without a polynomial time bound.

Claims L=RL=BPL\mathsf L=\mathsf{RL}=\mathsf{BPL}: every language decided with bounded one-sided or two-sided error by a randomized machine with polynomial worst-case running time and O(log⁡n)O(\log n) space is decided by a deterministic O(log⁡n)O(\log n)-space machine. Quantitatively, acceptance probabilities can be approximated to within 2−q2^{-q} in space O(log⁡(n+2)+q)O(\log(n+2)+q) and time (n+2)O(1)2O(q)(n+2)^{O(1)}2^{O(q)}. The method builds a hierarchy of copies of the configuration graph with a shared finite random environment and evaluates a family of O(log⁡n)O(\log n)-bit estimators, more than three quarters of them accurate, by exhaustive enumeration. It does not give a pseudorandom generator with logarithmic seed, and it does not address randomized logspace without a polynomial time bound.

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Derandomization of logarithmic space: is L = RL = BPL? — Mathematical Frontier Network