$\newcommand{\R}{\mathbb R}$For natural $n$, $a\in\R^n$, and real $t>0$, let \begin{equation*} K:=K_{n,t}(a):=\inf_{x\in\R^n}(\|a-x\|_2+t\|x\|_1), \end{equation*} \begin{equation*} M:=M_{n,t}(a):=\min(\|a\|_2,t\|a\|_1), \end{equation*} and (for nonzero $a$) \begin{equation*} R:=R_{n,t}(a):=\frac LM, \end{equation*} where $\|x\|_p:=(\sum_1^n|x_i|^p)^{1/p}$ for $x=(x_1,\dots,x_n)\in\R^n$. So, the function $K_{n,t}$ is a norm on $\R^n$, which is the [infimal convolution][1] of the norms $\|\cdot\|_2$ and $t\|\cdot\|_1$. The function $M_{n,t}$ is a norm only for $t\ge1$ (and then $M_{n,t}=\|\cdot\|_2$) and $t\le1/\sqrt n$ (and then $M_{n,t}=t\|\cdot\|_1$). Clearly, $K\le M$. It was [previously asked][2] whether, for each $t>0$, \begin{equation*} \inf_{a\in\R^n\setminus\{0\}}R_{n,t}(a)\to0 \end{equation*} as $n\to\infty$. It was then shown that this is [not true for $t=1$][3] and also [not true for any real $t>0$][4], because $$\frac KM\ge\min(1,t).$$ It was [further asked][5] if \begin{equation*} \inf_{a\in\R^n\setminus\{0\}}R_{n,t_n}(a)\to0 \end{equation*} as $n\to\infty$ assuming that $t_n\to0$. A somewhat surprising answer to this question will be given below. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convex_conjugate#Infimal_convolution [2]: https://mathoverflow.net/q/432168/36721 [3]: https://mathoverflow.net/questions/432168/fix-positive-t-construct-a-n-in-mathbb-rn-such-that-inf-x-x-a-n-2#comment1112378_432168 [4]: https://mathoverflow.net/a/432184/36721 [5]: https://mathoverflow.net/questions/432168/fix-positive-t-construct-a-n-in-mathbb-rn-such-that-inf-x-x-a-n-2#comment1112883_432184