arXiv subjects

Mike Paterson

Publications and source records attributed to Mike Paterson.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

On the Limits of PAC Learning of Networks from Opinion Dynamics

Agents in social networks with threshold-based dynamics change opinions when influenced by sufficiently many peers. Existing literature typically assumes that the network structure and dynamics are fully known, which is often unrealistic. In this work, we ask how to learn a network structure from samples of the agents' synchronous opinion updates. Firstly, if the opinion dynamics follow a threshold rule in which a fixed number of influencers prevent opinion change (e.g., unanimity and quasi-unanimity), we provide an efficient PAC learning algorithm provided that the number of influencers per agent is bounded. Secondly, under standard computational complexity assumptions, we prove that if agents' opinions follow the majority of their influencers, then there is no efficient PAC learning algorithm. We propose a polynomial-time heuristic that successfully learns consistent networks in over $98\%$ of our simulations on random graphs, with no failures for some specified conditions on the numbers of agents and opinion diffusion examples.

cs.SI↗

arXiv2026

The Grasshopper Problem on the Sphere

The spherical grasshopper problem is a geometric optimization problem that arises in the context of Bell inequalities and can be interpreted as identifying the best local hidden variable approximation to quantum singlet correlations for measurements along random axes separated by a fixed angle. In a parallel publication [arXiv:2504.20953], we presented numerical solutions for this problem and explained their significance for singlet simulation and testing. In this companion paper, we describe in detail the geometric and computational framework underlying these results. We examine the role of spherical discretization and compare three natural variants of the problem: antipodal complementary lawns, antipodal independent lawns, and non-antipodal complementary lawns. We analyze the geometric structure of the corresponding optimal lawn configurations and interpret it in terms of a spherical harmonics expansion. We also discuss connections to other physical models and to classical problems in geometric probability.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Coin flipping and waiting times paradoxes: Why fair coins are exceptional

Penney's Ante exhibits non-transitivity when two target strings race to appear in a shared stream of coin tosses. We study instead independent string races, where each player observes their own independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) coin/die stream (possibly biased), and the winner is the player whose target appears first (under an explicit tie convention). We derive compact generating-function formulas for waiting times and a Hadamard-generating-function calculus for head-to-head odds. Our main theorem shows that for a fair -sided die, stochastic dominance induces a total pre-order on all strings, ordered by expected waiting time. For binary coins, we also prove a converse: total comparability under stochastic dominance characterises the fair coin (), and any bias yields patterns whose waiting times are incomparable under stochastic dominance. In contrast, bias allows both (i) reversals between mean waiting time and win probability and (ii) non-transitive cycles; we give explicit examples and certified computational classifications for short patterns.

math.PR↗

arXiv2025

Optimal Local Simulations of a Quantum Singlet

Bell's seminal work showed that no local hidden variable (LHV) model can fully reproduce the quantum correlations of a two-qubit singlet state. His argument and later developments by Clauser et al. effectively rely on gaps between the anticorrelations achievable by classical models and quantum theory for projective measurements along randomly chosen axes separated by a fixed angle. However, the size of these gaps has to date remained unknown. Here we numerically determine the LHV models maximizing anticorrelations for random axes separated by any fixed angle, by mapping the problem onto ground state configurations of fixed-range spin models. We identify angles where this gap is largest and thus best suited for Bell tests. These findings enrich the understanding of Bell non-locality as a physical resource in quantum information theory and quantum cryptography.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

More about Exact Slow $k$-Nim

Given $n$ piles of tokens and a positive integer $k \leq n$, the game Nim$^1_{n, =k}$ of exact slow $k$-Nim is played as follows. Two players move alternately. In each move, a player chooses exactly $k$ non-empty piles and removes one token from each of them. A player whose turn it is to move but has no move loses (if the normal version of the game is played, and wins if it is the mis\'{e}re version). In Integers 20 (2020) 1-19, Gurvich et al gave an explicit formula for the Sprague-Grundy function of Nim$^1_{4, =2}$, for both its normal and mis\'{e}re version. Here we extend this result and obtain an explicit formula for the P-positions of the normal version of Nim$^1_{5, =2}$ and Nim$^1_{6, =2}$.

math.CO↗

arXiv2020

Haystack Hunting Hints and Locker Room Communication

We want to efficiently find a specific object in a large unstructured set, which we model by a random $n$-permutation, and we have to do it by revealing just a single element. Clearly, without any help this task is hopeless and the best one can do is select the element at random, and achieve the success probability $\frac{1}{n}$. Can we do better with some small amount of advice about the permutation, even without knowing the object sought? We show that by providing advice of just one integer in $\{0,1,...,n-1\}$, one can improve the success probability considerably, by a $\Theta(\frac{logn}{loglogn})$ factor. We study this and related problems, and show asymptotically matching upper and lower bounds for their optimal probability of success.Our analysis relies on a close relationship of such problems to some intrinsic properties of rendom permutations related to the rencontres number.

math.CO↗

arXiv2020

Globe-hopping

We consider versions of the grasshopper problem (Goulko and Kent, 2017) on the circle and the sphere, which are relevant to Bell inequalities. For a circle of circumference $2\pi$, we show that for unconstrained lawns of any length and arbitrary jump lengths, the supremum of the probability for the grasshopper's jump to stay on the lawn is one. For antipodal lawns, which by definition contain precisely one of each pair of opposite points and have length $\pi$, we show this is true except when the jump length $\phi$ is of the form $\pi\frac{p}{q}$ with $p,q$ coprime and $p$ odd. For these jump lengths we show the optimal probability is $1 - 1/q$ and construct optimal lawns. For a pair of antipodal lawns, we show that the optimal probability of jumping from one onto the other is $1 - 1/q$ for $p,q$ coprime, $p$ odd and $q$ even, and one in all other cases. For an antipodal lawn on the sphere, it is known (Kent and Pital\'ua-Garc\'ia, 2014) that if $\phi = \pi/q$, where $q \in \mathbb N$, then the optimal retention probability of $1-1/q$ for the grasshopper's jump is provided by a hemispherical lawn. We show that in all other cases where $0<\phi < \pi/2$, hemispherical lawns are not optimal, disproving the hemispherical colouring maximality hypotheses (Kent and Pital\'ua-Garc\'ia, 2014). We discuss the implications for Bell experiments and related cryptographic tests.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Convergence of Opinion Diffusion is PSPACE-complete

We analyse opinion diffusion in social networks, where a finite set of individuals is connected in a directed graph and each simultaneously changes their opinion to that of the majority of their influencers. We study the algorithmic properties of the fixed-point behaviour of such networks, showing that the problem of establishing whether individuals converge to stable opinions is PSPACE-complete.

cs.MA↗

arXiv2017

Maximizing the area of intersection of rectangles

This paper attacks the following problem. We are given a large number $N$ of rectangles in the plane, each with horizontal and vertical sides, and also a number $r<N$. The given list of $N$ rectangles may contain duplicates. The problem is to find $r$ of these rectangles, such that, if they are discarded, then the intersection of the remaining $(N-r)$ rectangles has an intersection with as large an area as possible. We will find an upper bound, depending only on $N$ and $r$, and not on the particular data presented, for the number of steps needed to run the algorithm on (a mathematical model of) a computer. In fact our algorithm is able to determine, for each $s\le r$, $s$ rectangles from the given list of $N$ rectangles, such that the remaining $(N-s)$ rectangles have as large an area as possible, and this takes hardly any more time than taking care only of the case $s=r$. Our algorithm extends to $d$-dimensional rectangles. Our method is to exhaustively examine all possible intersections---this is much faster than it sounds, because we do not need to examine all $\binom Ns$ subsets in order to find all possible intersection rectangles. For an extreme example, suppose the rectangles are nested, for example concentric squares of distinct sizes, then the only intersections examined are the smallest $s+1$ rectangles.

cs.DS↗

arXiv2014

False-Name Manipulations in Weighted Voting Games

Weighted voting is a classic model of cooperation among agents in decision-making domains. In such games, each player has a weight, and a coalition of players wins the game if its total weight meets or exceeds a given quota. A players power in such games is usually not directly proportional to his weight, and is measured by a power index, the most prominent among which are the Shapley-Shubik index and the Banzhaf index.In this paper, we investigate by how much a player can change his power, as measured by the Shapley-Shubik index or the Banzhaf index, by means of a false-name manipulation, i.e., splitting his weight among two or more identities. For both indices, we provide upper and lower bounds on the effect of weight-splitting. We then show that checking whether a beneficial split exists is NP-hard, and discuss efficient algorithms for restricted cases of this problem, as well as randomized algorithms for the general case. We also provide an experimental evaluation of these algorithms. Finally, we examine related forms of manipulative behavior, such as annexation, where a player subsumes other players, or merging, where several players unite into one. We characterize the computational complexity of such manipulations and provide limits on their effects. For the Banzhaf index, we describe a new paradox, which we term the Annexation Non-monotonicity Paradox.

cs.GT↗

arXiv2010

Computing voting power in easy weighted voting games

Weighted voting games are ubiquitous mathematical models which are used in economics, political science, neuroscience, threshold logic, reliability theory and distributed systems. They model situations where agents with variable voting weight vote in favour of or against a decision. A coalition of agents is winning if and only if the sum of weights of the coalition exceeds or equals a specified quota. The Banzhaf index is a measure of voting power of an agent in a weighted voting game. It depends on the number of coalitions in which the agent is the difference in the coalition winning or losing. It is well known that computing Banzhaf indices in a weighted voting game is NP-hard. We give a comprehensive classification of weighted voting games which can be solved in polynomial time. Among other results, we provide a polynomial ($O(k{(\frac{n}{k})}^k)$) algorithm to compute the Banzhaf indices in weighted voting games in which the number of weight values is bounded by $k$.

cs.GT↗

arXiv2009

Wiretapping a hidden network

We consider the problem of maximizing the probability of hitting a strategically chosen hidden virtual network by placing a wiretap on a single link of a communication network. This can be seen as a two-player win-lose (zero-sum) game that we call the wiretap game. The value of this game is the greatest probability that the wiretapper can secure for hitting the virtual network. The value is shown to equal the reciprocal of the strength of the underlying graph. We efficiently compute a unique partition of the edges of the graph, called the prime-partition, and find the set of pure strategies of the hider that are best responses against every maxmin strategy of the wiretapper. Using these special pure strategies of the hider, which we call omni-connected-spanning-subgraphs, we define a partial order on the elements of the prime-partition. From the partial order, we obtain a linear number of simple two-variable inequalities that define the maxmin-polytope, and a characterization of its extreme points. Our definition of the partial order allows us to find all equilibrium strategies of the wiretapper that minimize the number of pure best responses of the hider. Among these strategies, we efficiently compute the unique strategy that maximizes the least punishment that the hider incurs for playing a pure strategy that is not a best response. Finally, we show that this unique strategy is the nucleolus of the recently studied simple cooperative spanning connectivity game.

cs.GT↗

arXiv2009

Spanning connectivity games

The Banzhaf index, Shapley-Shubik index and other voting power indices measure the importance of a player in a coalitional game. We consider a simple coalitional game called the spanning connectivity game (SCG) based on an undirected, unweighted multigraph, where edges are players. We examine the computational complexity of computing the voting power indices of edges in the SCG. It is shown that computing Banzhaf values and Shapley-Shubik indices is #P-complete for SCGs. Interestingly, Holler indices and Deegan-Packel indices can be computed in polynomial time. Among other results, it is proved that Banzhaf indices can be computed in polynomial time for graphs with bounded treewidth. It is also shown that for any reasonable representation of a simple game, a polynomial time algorithm to compute the Shapley-Shubik indices implies a polynomial time algorithm to compute the Banzhaf indices. As a corollary, computing the Shapley value is #P-complete for simple games represented by the set of minimal winning coalitions, Threshold Network Flow Games, Vertex Connectivity Games and Coalitional Skill Games.

cs.GT↗

arXiv2009

False name manipulations in weighted voting games: splitting, merging and annexation

An important aspect of mechanism design in social choice protocols and multiagent systems is to discourage insincere and manipulative behaviour. We examine the computational complexity of false-name manipulation in weighted voting games which are an important class of coalitional voting games. Weighted voting games have received increased interest in the multiagent community due to their compact representation and ability to model coalitional formation scenarios. Bachrach and Elkind in their AAMAS 2008 paper examined divide and conquer false-name manipulation in weighted voting games from the point of view of Shapley-Shubik index. We analyse the corresponding case of the Banzhaf index and check how much the Banzhaf index of a player increases or decreases if it splits up into sub-players. A pseudo-polynomial algorithm to find the optimal split is also provided. Bachrach and Elkind also mentioned manipulation via merging as an open problem. In the paper, we examine the cases where a player annexes other players or merges with them to increase their Banzhaf index or Shapley-Shubik index payoff. We characterize the computational complexity of such manipulations and provide limits to the manipulation. The annexation non-monotonicity paradox is also discovered in the case of the Banzhaf index. The results give insight into coalition formation and manipulation.

cs.GT↗

arXiv2007

Overhang

How far off the edge of the table can we reach by stacking $n$ identical, homogeneous, frictionless blocks of length 1? A classical solution achieves an overhang of $1/2 H_n$, where $H_n ~ \ln n$ is the $n$th harmonic number. This solution is widely believed to be optimal. We show, however, that it is, in fact, exponentially far from optimality by constructing simple $n$-block stacks that achieve an overhang of $c n^{1/3}$, for some constant $c>0$.

math.HO↗

arXiv2007

Maximum overhang

How far can a stack of $n$ identical blocks be made to hang over the edge of a table? The question dates back to at least the middle of the 19th century and the answer to it was widely believed to be of order $\log n$. Recently, Paterson and Zwick constructed $n$-block stacks with overhangs of order $n^{1/3}$, exponentially better than previously thought possible. We show here that order $n^{1/3}$ is indeed best possible, resolving the long-standing overhang problem up to a constant factor.

math.HO↗

arXiv2005

Improved mixing bounds for the anti-ferromagnetic Potts model on Z^2

We consider the anti-ferromagnetic Potts model on the the integer lattice Z^2. The model has two parameters, q, the number of spins, and λ=\exp(-β), where βis ``inverse temperature''. It is known that the model has strong spatial mixing if q>7 or if q=7 and λ=0 or λ> 1/8 or if q=6 and λ=0 or λ> 1/4. The lambda=0 case corresponds to the model in which configurations are proper q-colourings of Z^2. We show that the system has strong spatial mixing for q >= 6 and any λ. This implies that Glauber dynamics is rapidly mixing (so there is a fully-polynomial randomised approximation scheme for the partition function) and also that there is a unique infinite-volume Gibbs state. We also show that strong spatial mixing occurs for a larger range of λthan was previously known for q = 3, 4 and 5.

math-ph↗