Conjectured formula for the first matching number of paired constructions

Let n,k,tn,k,t be non-negative integers with k≤nk\leq n and t≤min⁡(k,n−k)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⋅(2k−t−1k)for n=2k and t even and t≠k,(n−tmin⁡(k,n−k)−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.

References

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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