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Symmetric Rule-Based Achlioptas Processes for Random $k$-SAT

Discrete Mathematics 2025-10-10 v1 Combinatorics Probability

Abstract

Inspired by the "power-of-two-choices" model from random graphs, we investigate the possibility of limited choices of online clause choices that could shift the satisfiability threshold in random kk-SAT.Here, we introduce an assignment symmetric, non-adaptive, topology-oblivious online rule called \emph{MIDDLE-HEAVY}, that prioritizes balanced sign profile clauses.Upon applying a biased 22-SAT projection and a two-type branching process certificate, we derive closed-form expressions for the shifted thresholds αSYM(k,)\alpha_{\textbf{SYM}}(k,\ell) for this algorithm.We show that minimal choices =5\ell=5 for k=4k=4, =4\ell=4 for k=5k=5, and =3\ell=3 for k6k\ge 6 suffice to exceed the asymptotic first-moment upper bound 2kln2\sim 2^k \ln 2 for random kk-SAT.Moreover, to bridge the gap with biased assignment rules used in maximum of the previous works in this context, we propose a hybrid symmetric biased rule that achieves thresholds comparable to prior work while maintaining symmetry.Our results advance the understanding of Achlioptas processes in random CSPs beyond classical graph-theoretic settings.

Cite

@article{arxiv.2510.07870,
  title  = {Symmetric Rule-Based Achlioptas Processes for Random $k$-SAT},
  author = {Arnab Chatterjee},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2510.07870},
  year   = {2025}
}
R2 v1 2026-07-01T06:25:55.027Z