English

Ramsey-type theorems for metric spaces with applications to online problems

Data Structures and Algorithms 2007-05-23 v1

Abstract

A nearly logarithmic lower bound on the randomized competitive ratio for the metrical task systems problem is presented. This implies a similar lower bound for the extensively studied k-server problem. The proof is based on Ramsey-type theorems for metric spaces, that state that every metric space contains a large subspace which is approximately a hierarchically well-separated tree (and in particular an ultrametric). These Ramsey-type theorems may be of independent interest.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.cs/0406028,
  title  = {Ramsey-type theorems for metric spaces with applications to online problems},
  author = {Yair Bartal and Bela Bollobas and Manor Mendel},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cs/0406028},
  year   = {2007}
}

Comments

Fix an error in the metadata. 31 pages, 0 figures. Preliminary version in FOCS '01. To be published in J. Comput. System Sci

R2 v1 2026-07-22T12:22:13.121Z