Reflection of optimal supports for k-wise independent bits

Source abstract

For even k, we derive a reflection identity for the basic count distributions in the problem of maximizing the probability that all n k-wise independent Bernoulli variables equal one. After separating the distinguished node n, the other support nodes reflect by s -> n-1-s while the Bernoulli parameter changes from p to 1-p. Corresponding basic weights differ by an explicit positive factor. Thus interior feasibility sets, and local changes of optimal support with their multiplicities, are reflected. This gives a proof of the exceptional-point reflection in Conjecture 5.11 of Berend, Ernst, Kontorovich and Kumar. The argument uses Lagrange interpolation and an elementary binomial reweighting identity; it does not require a conjectured ordering or connectedness of the feasibility sets.