Dimension of the best–worst choice polytope

For n≥2n\ge 2, let [n]={1,…,n}[n]=\{1,\ldots,n\} be a set of alternatives. For each linear ranking π=(π(1),…,π(n))\pi=(\pi(1),\ldots,\pi(n)) of [n][n], define its deterministic best-worst choice vector vπ∈Rn(n−1)v_\pi\in\mathbb{R}^{n(n-1)}, indexed by ordered pairs (i,j)(i,j) with i,j∈[n]i,j\in[n] and i≠ji\ne j, by (vπ)ij=1(v_\pi)_{ij}=1 if π(1)=i\pi(1)=i and π(n)=j\pi(n)=j, and (vπ)ij=0(v_\pi)_{ij}=0 otherwise. The best-worst choice polytope is Pn=conv⁡{vπ:π is a linear ranking of [n]}P_n=\operatorname{conv}\{v_\pi:\pi\text{ is a linear ranking of }[n]\}. Determine an explicit formula, as a function of nn, for dim⁡Pn\dim P_n.

References

Primary source

arXiv

Progress summary

Refreshed
Claimed solved

An August 2026 preprint claims to determine the polytope’s dimension for every number of alternatives, but the result has not been independently verified.

The problem asks for a formula giving the dimension of the polytope associated with deterministic best–worst preferences. The supplied record gives no proposer or original date.

August 2026 dimension formula

The arXiv preprint On the Dimension of the Best-Worst Choice Polytope claims that a rank argument determines the dimension as a function of the number of alternatives, which would settle the structural problem. It is unrefereed, and no independent verification or substantive public discussion was found.

Current status (as of August 2026): A preprint claims the dimension formula is complete, but the claim remains unverified.

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