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TCS+ Talk

Wednesday, October 27, 2021
10:00am to 11:00am
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Degree vs. Approximate Degree and Quantum Implications of Huang's Sensitivity Theorem
Shravas Rao, Postdoc, Northwestern University,

Abstract: Based on the recent breakthrough of Huang (2019), we show that for any total Boolean function f,

-  The degree of f is at most quadratic in the approximate degree of f. This is optimal as witnessed by the OR function.
- The deterministic query complexity of f is at most quartic in the quantum query complexity of f. This matches the known separation (up to log factors) due to Ambainis, Balodis, Belovs, Lee, Santha, and Smotrovs (2017).

We apply these results to resolve the quantum analogue of the Aanderaa--Karp--Rosenberg conjecture. We show that if f is a nontrivial monotone graph property of an n-vertex graph specified by its adjacency matrix, then Q(f)=Ω(n), which is also optimal. We also show that the approximate degree of any read-once formula on n variables is Θ(\sqrt(n)).

Based on joint work with Scott Aaronson, Shalev Ben-David, Robin Kothari, and Avishay Tal

Link: https://berkeley.zoom.us/j/98954371813?pwd=V1hxN2Nrc2c5OEJFSWRqS29JeWM1dz09

To watch the talk:

  • Watching the live stream. At the announced start time of the talk (or a minute before), a live video stream will be available on our "next talk" page. Simply connect to the page and enjoy the talk. No webcam or registration is needed. Questions and comments during the talk are welcome (text only, unfortunately); simply post a comment below the live video stream on YouTube.
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For more information, please contact Bonnie Leung by email at [email protected].