The independence number of uncrowded hypergraphs: bounds matching the shattering threshold

Mathematics > Combinatorics [Submitted on 16 Jun 2026] Title:The independence number of uncrowded hypergraphs: bounds matching the shattering threshold View PDFAbstract:A foundational theorem of Ajtai, Komlós, Pintz, Spencer, and Szemerédi asserts that every $n$-vertex $k$-uniform uncrowded hypergraph with maximum degree $\Delta$ contains an independent set of size $c_k n{\left(\frac{\log \Delta}{\Delta}\right)^{\frac{1}{k-1}}}$, for some constant $c_k>0$. Determining the optimal leading constant $c_k$ in this bound is a major open problem. A natural target is the so-called shattering-threshold constant $\left(\frac{1}{k-1}\right)^{\frac{1}{k-1}}$, which appears in the solution-space geometry of random constraint satisfaction problems, in average-case complexity theory, and in statistical physics, among other areas. We prove that uncrowded hypergraphs attain this threshold. More precisely, for every $\epsilon>0$ and $k\geq 2$, every $n$-vertex $k$-uniform uncrowded hypergraph of sufficiently large maximum degree $\Delta$ contains an independent set of size at least $(1-\epsilon) n {\left(\frac{1}{k-1}\frac{\log \Delta}{\Delta}\right)^{\frac{1}{k-1}}}$. Consequently, we obtain the first pseudorandom class of hypergraphs whose guaranteed independence number matches the shattering threshold, resolving a folklore conjecture. Moreover, as another direct consequence, we resolve a conjecture of Verstraëte and Wilson by proving that there exists a constant $c_k=1-o_k(1)$ such that every $n$-vertex $k$-uniform linear hypergraph of maximum degree $\Delta$ has independence number at least $c_k n\left(\frac{\log \Delta}{\Delta}\right)^{\frac{1}{k-1}}$. Our techniques are constructive yielding efficient algorithms for both static and distributed settings. Specifically, we provide an $\tilde O(n\Delta)$-time randomized static algorithm and an $\tilde O(1)$-round randomized $\textsf{LOCAL}$ algorithm to find an independent set in uncrowded hypergraphs at the shattering threshold. These results extend seamlessly to the the setting of linear hypergraphs. Current browse context: math.CO References & Citations Loading... Bibliographic and Citation Tools Bibliographic Explorer (What is the Explorer?) Connected Papers (What is Connected Papers?) Litmaps (What is Litmaps?) scite Smart Citations (What are Smart Citations?) Code, Data and Media Associated with this Article alphaXiv (What is alphaXiv?) CatalyzeX Code Finder for Papers (What is CatalyzeX?) DagsHub (What is DagsHub?) Gotit.pub (What is GotitPub?) Hugging Face (What is Huggingface?) ScienceCast (What is ScienceCast?) Demos Recommenders and Search Tools Influence Flower (What are Influence Flowers?) CORE Recommender (What is CORE?) arXivLabs: experimental projects with community collaborators arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website. Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them. Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs.