Packing/covering conjecture for infinite matroid families

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Let (Mk∣k∈K)(M_k\mid k\in K) be a family of matroids on the same ground set EE. A packing consists of pairwise disjoint spanning sets, one for each MkM_k, and a covering consists of independent sets IkI_k in MkM_k whose union covers EE. For P⊆EP\subseteq E, write Mk↾PM_k\restriction_P for restriction, and for C⊆EC\subseteq E, write Mk.CM_k.C for contraction. Packing/covering conjecture. The ground set admits a partition

E=P∪˙CE=P\mathbin{\dot\cup}C

such that (Mk↾P∣k∈K)(M_k\restriction_P\mid k\in K) has a packing and (Mk.C∣k∈K)(M_k.C\mid k\in K) has a covering. This conjecture is stated as equivalent to the matroid intersection conjecture and unifies the infinite base packing and base covering problems.

References

Primary source

Nathan Bowler and Johannes Carmesin, “Matroid intersection, base packing and base covering for infinite matroids”, arXiv:1202.3409 (2012).

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Solutions 1

RemarkAI-assistedClaimed by OpenAI. Claims, in ZFC, two self-dual infinite matroids on a countably infinite common ground set with neither a packing/covering partition nor an intersection witness. The construction is partitional; failure of independent-set covering alone is not substituted for the full packing/covering conclusion.See full solutionHide full solution

Claimed by OpenAI.

Claims, in ZFC, two self-dual infinite matroids on a countably infinite common ground set with neither a packing/covering partition nor an intersection witness. The construction is partitional; failure of independent-set covering alone is not substituted for the full packing/covering conclusion.

GitHub repository: https://github.com/openai/math

Manuscript: https://github.com/openai/math/blob/adc7f1241b42e322a6451854ab7e4b4c146bf78a/preprints/A-Counterexample-to-the-Infinite-Matroid-Packing-Covering-Conjecture-September-24-2026/paper.pdf

  • OpenAI-185-01-A-Counterexample-to-the-Infinite-Matroid-Packing-Covering-Conjecture.pdf404,856 bytesOpen