Theoretical computer science·OpenAI Math·Result 136

A quasilinear PCP theorem for PPAD

One of the 372 results in OpenAI's public mathematics catalogue, filed under theoretical computer science: 1 preprint, the latest dated 25 September 2026. This page quotes OpenAI's own summary of the claim, links the paper and abstract, and embeds the animation.

In one line: OpenAI reports a proof of a quasilinear PCP theorem for PPAD (theoretical computer science) in a preprint dated 25 September 2026. It has not been peer reviewed. The channel's animation, Every OpenAI Math Result, Part 2 of 4: PCP for PPAD, Birkhoff Conjecture and 82 More, is on YouTube.

Compilation · 29:10 · 14 October 2026 · from 0:41Watch on YouTube →

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Chapter 3 of 84 in Every OpenAI Math Result, Part 2 of 4: PCP for PPAD, Birkhoff Conjecture and 82 More · starts at 0:41 · watch from there on YouTube →

What OpenAI claims

Resolves the quasilinear PCP-for-PPAD conjecture. An End-of-Line instance of length N reduces to numerical circuit constraints of total length N(log N)O(1) such that any polynomially encoded rational assignment satisfying all but a fixed fraction to fixed accuracy yields an endpoint solution. Such assignments always exist, giving robust local verification with only quasilinear size overhead.

Paper

  1. The PCP-for-PPAD conjecture: a quasilinear reduction

    · Preprint, not peer reviewed · PDF

    OpenAI's abstract We prove the quasilinear-size PCP-for-PPAD conjecture of Babichenko, Papadimitriou, and Rubinstein. There are fixed positive rational constants ε and δ and a deterministic polynomial-time reduction that transforms an End-of-Line instance of binary length N into a generalized circuit of total binary length N(log N)O(1). From any rational assignment of polynomial encoding length that ε-satisfies all but a δ fraction of the gates, a solution to the original End-of-Line instance can be recovered in polynomial time, regardless of which gates fail. Such assignments always exist, with one fixed polynomial bound on their encoding length.

Status

Preprint. The paper has not been independently reviewed. Treat the result as OpenAI's claim until other mathematicians have checked it. If a video exists, it illustrates the statement; it is not the proof.

Quick answers

Is it proven?
Not independently yet. OpenAI posted a preprint on 25 September 2026; it has not been peer reviewed, so treat the result as OpenAI's claim until other mathematicians have checked it.
What exactly does OpenAI claim?
Resolves the quasilinear PCP-for-PPAD conjecture. An End-of-Line instance of length N reduces to numerical circuit constraints of total length N(log N)O(1) such that any polynomially encoded rational assignment satisfying all but a fixed fraction to fixed accuracy yields an endpoint solution. Such assignments always exist, giving robust local verification with only quasilinear size overhead.
Where is the proof?
In the paper, The PCP-for-PPAD conjecture: a quasilinear reduction (PDF).
Is there a video?
Yes, on YouTube (29:10, chapter 3).

Also in

The video

Every OpenAI Math Result, Part 2 of 4: PCP for PPAD, Birkhoff Conjecture and 82 More · Compilation · 29:10 · chapter 3 from 0:41 · description, sources and chapters →

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