Conjectured formula for the first matching number of paired constructions

From papers

Let n,k,tn,k,t be non-negative integers with knk\leq n and tmin(k,nk)t\leq\min(k,n-k). Let m1(n,k,t)m_1(n,k,t) denote the first matching number associated with the paired construction for Boolean functions on the slice. The paired-construction matching-number conjecture.

m1(n,k,t)={2(2kt1k)for n=2k and t even and tk,(ntmin(k,nk)t)otherwise.m_1(n,k,t)= \begin{cases} 2\cdot\displaystyle\binom{2k-t-1}{k} & \text{for }n=2k\text{ and }t\text{ even and }t\neq k,\\[5mm] \displaystyle\binom{n-t}{\min(k,n-k)-t} & \text{otherwise.} \end{cases}

The conjecture gives a closed formula for the quantity m1(n,k,t)m_1(n,k,t) in all admissible parameter ranges, with a separate expression in the stated even case. The computational evidence preceding it does not establish the formula in general, so its resolution remains open.

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Sources & referencesView supporting material

Primary source

Michael Kiermaier, Jonathan Mannaert and Alfred Wassermann, “The paired construction for Boolean functions on the slice”, arXiv:2510.02804 (2025).

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