Inapproximability of unique games in fixed-point logic with counting

J Tucker-Foltz�- Logical Methods in Computer Science, 2024 - lmcs.episciences.org
Logical Methods in Computer Science, 2024lmcs.episciences.org
We study the extent to which it is possible to approximate the optimal value of a Unique
Games instance in Fixed-Point Logic with Counting (FPC). Formally, we prove lower bounds
against the accuracy of FPC-interpretations that map Unique Games instances (encoded as
relational structures) to rational numbers giving the approximate fraction of constraints that
can be satisfied. We prove two new FPC-inexpressibility results for Unique Games: the
existence of a (1/2, 1/3+ δ)-inapproximability gap, and inapproximability to within any�…
Abstract
We study the extent to which it is possible to approximate the optimal value of a Unique Games instance in Fixed-Point Logic with Counting (FPC). Formally, we prove lower bounds against the accuracy of FPC-interpretations that map Unique Games instances (encoded as relational structures) to rational numbers giving the approximate fraction of constraints that can be satisfied. We prove two new FPC-inexpressibility results for Unique Games: the existence of a (1/2, 1/3+ δ)-inapproximability gap, and inapproximability to within any constant factor. Previous recent work has established similar FPC-inapproximability results for a small handful of other problems. Our construction builds upon some of these ideas, but contains a novel technique. While most FPC-inexpressibility results are based on variants of the CFI-construction, ours is significantly different. We start with a graph of very large girth and label the edges with random affine vector spaces over F2 that determine the constraints in the two structures. Duplicator’s strategy involves maintaining a partial isomorphism over a minimal tree that spans the pebbled vertices of the graph.
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