We revisit the semantic size-cost-capacity technique (Beyersdorff, Blinkhorn & Hinde, 2019) for proof-size lower bounds in proof systems for quantified Boolean formulas (QBF). While the original technique is only applicable to weak proof systems with bounded capacity, we present a fine-grained generalisation of this technique that allows us to attack ... more >>>

We prove an $\Omega(n^2)$ lower bound on the determinantal complexity of the power sum polynomial $\sum_{i=1}^n x_i^n$ over the field of complex numbers.

A similar result was claimed in a recent paper of Sheshadri, via an AI-assisted and AI-written proof. Assuming its correctness, this was the first super-linear lower bound ... more >>>

We give an explicit hitting set of size $\text{poly}(n,d,r)$ for the class of $n$-variate degree-$d$ polynomials whose partial derivative space is bounded by $r$, over any field $\mathbb{F}$ of characteristic zero. In particular, this yields a polynomial sized hitting set for the class of depth-$3$ powering circuits.

The main ... more >>>