Questions tagged [probabilistic-method]

Probabilistic methods prove existence results in a nonconstructive fashion, by showing the chance of randomly selecting a solution is greater than zero.

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Phase-transitions for a property of random bipartite graphs

Let $N_1$, $N_2$, and $k$ be positive integers. Let $V_1$ and $V_2$ be finite sets with $|V_i| = N_i \ge 1$. Consider a bipartite graph $G=(V_1,V_2,E)$ constructed as follows. For every $x \in V_1$, ...
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For every partition of $E(K_{n,n})$ into $n$ colour classes of size $n$, there is a vertex incident to at least $\sqrt{n}$ colours

Given a partition of the edges of $K_{n,n}$ into $n$ colours, where each colour appears exactly $n$ times, prove that there exists a vertex incident to at least $\sqrt{n}$ colours.
Marina Drygala's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
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Probabilistic method Alon and Spencer Azuma's inequality

Theorem 7.5.2 states: Let $v_1, \dots, v_n$ be vectors with $\|v_i\| \leq 1.$ Let $\epsilon_1, \dots, \epsilon_n \in \{-1, 1\}$ be independent with uniform probability and let $X=\|\epsilon_1 v_1 + \...
Marina Drygala's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
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Existence of (near) equidistant codewords

My question is originally related to coding theory, but fairly easy to state in pure combinatorial way. Fix $k\in\mathbb{N}$, $\beta\in(0,1)$ and consider the binary cube $\Sigma_n = \{0,1\}^n$ ...
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Why subcopula is less used in modelling?

I don't know if it is a good idea to post my question in MathOverflow instead of Mathexchange. But it seems to me that it is more appropriate to post my question in MathOverflow. By definition, copula ...
InTheSearchForKnowledge's user avatar
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Counting progressions for Ramsey-type number

I'm currently learning about Ramsey theory and how to use the probabilistic method to find lower bounds. Currently I'm looking at a family, which I'll call $H$, that is composed of the following ...
Jessica's user avatar
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Probabilistic method with multiple objective functions

Let $\mathcal X$ be a finite set and $f$ a function from $\mathcal X$ to $\mathbb R^+$. Basic probabilistic method says that if I can find a probability distribution on $\mathcal X$ and show that $E[f(...
EEStudent's user avatar
14 votes
3 answers
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Theorems like the Lovász Local Lemma?

The Lovász Local Lemma gives a probability bound in a context where there are many events that are "not quite" independent. What other theorems exist in this genre? That is, what other theorems have ...
tuna's user avatar
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On an exercise in The Probabilistic Method : random dilate of a set in a finite field

This is related to Problem $4.6$ in ``The Probabilistic Method'' by Alon and Spencer, where one essentially has to prove the following: Let $p$ be a prime, and $A$ be any subset of $\mathbb{F}_p$. ...
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Domination problem with sets

For nearly two years, I have been struggling with the next task I have already published on MSE, but unfortunately with no respond. Let $M$ be a non-empty and finite set, $S_1,...,S_k$ subsets ...
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$\lim_{k\to\infty}{n\choose k}2^{1-{k\choose2}}$, where $n=\max\{n\in\mathbb{N}:{n\choose k}2^{1-{k\choose2}}<1\}$

How do you prove $\lim_{k\to\infty,k\in\mathbb{N}}{n\choose k}2^{1-{k\choose2}}=1$, where $n=\max\{n\in\mathbb{N}:{n\choose k}2^{1-{k\choose2}}<1\}$? The expression ${n\choose k}2^{1-{k\choose2}}$ ...
xFioraMstr18's user avatar
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A Non-trivial intersecting set system problem

Liven large enough $k\in\Bbb N$ fix $m\in\{2,3,\dots,k\}$ and fix $4k$ cardinality set $K_{4k}$. What is the maximum $n\in\Bbb N$ such that at some $t\geq2n-1$ there are $$\mbox{ subsets }L_1,L_2,\...
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7 votes
2 answers
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Set theoretic forcing, large cardinals and probabilistic methods

This question is motivated by the work of Ajtai "The complexity of the pigeonhole principle" and similar works. In this paper, the author proves that $PHP_n$, the pigeonhole principle for $...
Mohammad Golshani's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
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An extremal combinatorics problem involving column summation

Given $n\in\Bbb N$, $\alpha>0$, $\beta\in\big[\frac12,1\big]$ denote $\mathcal R_{n,\alpha,\beta}$ as collection of all $2^n\times 2^{n^\alpha}$ $0/1$ matrices with every row summing to strictly ...
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13 votes
12 answers
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What are fun elementary subjects in probability?

I have to read several lectures on probability or applications of probability for high school students (of high level). There is no necessary part I must lecture, that is, my aim is just advertisement....
8 votes
1 answer
720 views

Does $|A+A|$ concentrate near its mean?

Fix $N$ to be a large prime. Let $A \subset \mathbb{Z}/N\mathbb{Z}$ be a random subset defined by $\mathbb{P}(a \in A) = p$, where $p = N^{-2/3 + \epsilon}$ for some fixed $\epsilon > 0$. My ...
George Shakan's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
236 views

Derandomization barriers in complexity theory applicable as barriers to constructive arguments replacing probabilistic method

The probabilistic method as first pioneered by Erdős (although others used this before) shows existence of a certain object while finding that object may take exponential time. (1) Is there any ...
Turbo's user avatar
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33 votes
7 answers
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List of proofs where existence through probabilistic method has not been constructivised

The probabilistic method as first pioneered by Erdős (although others have used this before) shows the existence of a certain object. What are some of the most important objects for which we can show ...
1 vote
1 answer
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Assigning random orientation to an edge in a regular graph

Given a simple regular graph of degree $d$ on $n$ vertices. Assume an ordering of vertices and assume all orientations of edges is from $i$ to $j$ if edges $ij$ exists and $i<j$. Pick $m$ random ...
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16 votes
1 answer
390 views

Maximal number of subsets in $\{1,\dots,n\}$ such that neither is contained in a union of two others

What are known estimates for maximal $M$ for which their exists subsets $A_1,\dots,A_M$ in $\{1,\dots,n\}$ such that there do not exist different indexes $i,j,k$ for which $A_i\subset A_j\cup A_k$? ...
Fedor Petrov's user avatar