Translative covering densities of order n log n

OpenAI

For every sufficiently large dimension n, an OpenAI manuscript constructs a centrally symmetric convex body whose unrestricted translative covering density exceeds c n log n for an absolute c>0. With Rogers’ O(n log n) upper bound, this fixes the worst-case unrestricted order and rules out a universal O(n) bound.

Sources for this record

What was already known

Rogers gave an O(n log n) translative upper bound. Earlier Ω(n log n) examples concerned single-lattice coverings, which do not establish an unrestricted translative lower bound.

AI involvement AI-led

OpenAI is credited as author of the model-produced lower-bound manuscript. The release does not identify a human reviewer or establish autonomy for this proof; the single-lattice companion is a separate result.

OpenAI is the credited author of the two manuscripts and the repository describes model-produced results. The specific human direction of this pair is not disclosed.

Importance Major

Answers the linear-bound question and determines the worst-case unrestricted translative order.

Limitations

The rational-polytope version is a further corollary. Lean source states the lower theorem, but the reviewed release did not establish a successful build or comparator result for it. The companion single-lattice upper theorem has separate scope and credit.

Technical verification Reported

The repository contains Lean source declaring a translative lower theorem, a single-lattice upper theorem and their combined order theorem, plus Comparator challenge statements. The formalization catalogue explicitly lists the single-lattice upper theorem, but a completed build or Comparator result for the translative lower theorem, the claim that answers this entry's question, was not established in the reviewed sources. A formal-looking source file or challenge configuration alone does not show a completed machine check of that lower theorem; no human check is documented.

Human understanding Few

No named human explanation of the model-produced random-slab construction, localization and all-pattern exclusion is documented. Few is the evidence default, not a report that researchers cannot understand it.

Correction and publication history

2026-10-18 · publication

If correct, answers the linear-bound question and determines the worst-case unrestricted translative order.

Read this published revision