English

On Approximability of Satisfiable k-CSPs: V

Computational Complexity 2026-05-27 v4

Abstract

We propose a framework of algorithm vs. hardness for all Max-CSPs and demonstrate it for a large class of predicates. This framework extends the work of Raghavendra [STOC, 2008], who showed a similar result for almost satisfiable Max-CSPs. Our framework is based on a new hybrid approximation algorithm, which uses a combination of the Gaussian elimination technique (i.e., solving a system of linear equations over an Abelian group) and the semidefinite programming relaxation. We complement our algorithm with a matching dictator vs. quasirandom test that has perfect completeness. The analysis of our dictator vs. quasirandom test is based on a novel invariance principle, which we call the mixed invariance principle. Our mixed invariance principle is an extension of the invariance principle of Mossel, O'Donnell and Oleszkiewicz [Annals of Mathematics, 2010] which plays a crucial role in Raghavendra's work. The mixed invariance principle allows one to relate 3-wise correlations over discrete probability spaces with expectations over spaces that are a mixture of Guassian spaces and Abelian groups, and may be of independent interest.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2408.15377,
  title  = {On Approximability of Satisfiable k-CSPs: V},
  author = {Amey Bhangale and Subhash Khot and Dor Minzer},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2408.15377},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

89 pages. This is the TheoretiCS journal version

R2 v1 2026-06-28T18:25:56.492Z