Probability and statistical mechanics·OpenAI Math·Result 229·Lean formalisation listed
Exact three- and four-state reconstruction thresholds and four-state tree capacity
One of the 372 results in OpenAI's public mathematics catalogue, filed under probability and statistical mechanics: 3 preprints, the latest dated 5 October 2026. This page quotes OpenAI's own summary of the claim, links the papers and abstracts, and embeds the animation.
In one line: OpenAI reports a result titled ‘Exact three- and four-state reconstruction thresholds and four-state tree capacity’ (probability and statistical mechanics) in 3 preprints, the latest dated 5 October 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 It has not been peer reviewed.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.
Chapter 56 of 84 in Every OpenAI Math Result, Part 2 of 4: PCP for PPAD, Birkhoff Conjecture and 82 More · starts at 19:05 · watch from there on YouTube →
What OpenAI claims
Proves the exact reconstruction threshold dλ2 > 1, with nonreconstruction at equality, for three-state symmetric and four-state ferromagnetic broadcasting on regular trees (d ≥ 2) and observed Poisson trees (mean d > 1 and d > 0, respectively), with Poisson advantage averaged without conditioning on survival. The three-state theorem allows both signs of λ and gives the exact weak-recovery threshold for the symmetric three-community stochastic block model. (Lean)
Papers (3)
The Reconstruction Threshold for the Ferromagnetic Four-State Potts Model
OpenAI's abstract We establish the exact Kesten–Stigum reconstruction threshold for the ferromagnetic four-state Potts broadcast model on every regular d-ary tree with d ≥ 2 and every Poisson Galton–Watson tree of mean d > 0. Reconstruction occurs exactly when dλ2 > 1; we prove nonreconstruction at and below the threshold, including equality. In the Poisson model the whole tree is observed and the reconstruction advantage is averaged without conditioning on survival. The proof uses reproducible exact-arithmetic verification of polynomial inequalities.
A Capacity Criterion for Four-State Potts Reconstruction on Trees
OpenAI's abstract For the ferromagnetic four-state broadcast model with 0 < λ < 1, we prove that reconstruction on a bounded-degree deterministic rooted tree occurs exactly when its L3 capacity with edge resistances λ-2|e| is positive. This gives an exact criterion without regularity or growth-rate assumptions on the tree, including at the exponential critical boundary.
The exact reconstruction threshold for the three-state symmetric channel
OpenAI's abstract We determine the exact reconstruction threshold for the symmetric three-state broadcast process on every regular b-ary tree, b ≥ 2, and every observed Poisson Galton–Watson tree of mean d > 1. Reconstruction occurs exactly when dλ2 > 1, with d = b in the regular model; there is non-reconstruction at equality for either sign of the channel parameter. The Poisson advantage is averaged over trees and spins without conditioning on survival. This resolves the all-degree three-state regular-tree prediction. Combining the Poisson theorem with known tree-to-graph and algorithmic results gives the exact weak-recovery threshold for the symmetric three-community sparse stochastic block model with independent uniform labels, fixed within- and between-community rates a,b > 0, and mean degree (a+2b)/3 > 1: recovery is possible exactly when (a-b)2 > 3(a+2b). Above this threshold it is achievable in O(n log n) time; at or below it, weak recovery is information-theoretically impossible.
Status
Preprint. The papers have 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 3 preprints, the latest dated 5 October 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?
- Proves the exact reconstruction threshold dλ2 > 1, with nonreconstruction at equality, for three-state symmetric and four-state ferromagnetic broadcasting on regular trees (d ≥ 2) and observed Poisson trees (mean d > 1 and d > 0, respectively), with Poisson advantage averaged without conditioning on survival. The three-state theorem allows both signs of λ and gives the exact weak-recovery threshold for the symmetric three-community stochastic block model. (Lean)
- Where is the proof?
- In the paper, The Reconstruction Threshold for the Ferromagnetic Four-State Potts Model (PDF).
- Is there a video?
- Yes, on YouTube (29:10, chapter 56).
Also in
- Chapter 10 of 10 in Benjamini–Schramm Conjecture, Mézard–Parisi Formula, Voronoi Percolation and 7 More · starts at 3:10 · watch from there on YouTube →
The video
Every OpenAI Math Result, Part 2 of 4: PCP for PPAD, Birkhoff Conjecture and 82 More · Compilation · 29:10 · chapter 56 from 19:05 · description, sources and chapters →
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