arXiv · 2605.12675
Answer Partitions and Oracle Access Determine Quantum Query Complexity
Abstract
An answer partition specifies which oracle instances share an output, while query complexity also depends on how those instances are accessed. We formulate exact one-query answer-partition resolution as block discrimination of a unitary oracle family. Applied to Deutsch's problem with a controlled response unitary V, the criterion shows that one query suffices if and only if -1 is an eigenvalue of V; cyclic addition in odd response dimension therefore raises the exact quantum cost to two queries, matching the classical cost while preserving the same computational-basis point values. Holding the standard Boolean point oracle fixed, we further show that balanced answer partitions with equal-sized cells can have different exact classical and quantum query complexities. A complete exact classification is given for all 35 balanced three-bit partitions, while the unresolved four-bit cases are reported explicitly as numerical candidates. These results separate the combinatorial specification of an answer from the oracle-dependent distinguishability that determines query complexity.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Karl Svozil. 2026-05-12. Answer Partitions and Oracle Access Determine Quantum Query Complexity. https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.12675
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.