A Continuous Family of Counterexamples to the Middle Runner Conjecture

The 2015 AIM middle runner conjecture allows arbitrary initial positions and predicts a symmetry between complementary order statistics for runners with commensurable nonzero speeds on a circular track. For velocities (1,2,3) and initial positions (0,0,a), this manuscript determines the average median position exactly as a piecewise quadratic function of a. Modulo one, the conjectured value holds only at a=0 and a=1/2; every other offset is a counterexample, giving an uncountable continuous family. The proof is a complete piecewise integration and is accompanied by exact rational verification. Scope: The result concerns this fixed one-parameter three-runner family and the hypotheses printed in the 2015 problem list; it does not classify arbitrary three-runner systems or address a strengthened common-start version. Status: Public Beta v0.1; internally verified candidate proof; external mathematical review pending.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-08-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22120843
Primary Topic
Advanced Combinatorial Mathematics
Type
preprint
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
preprint

A Continuous Family of Counterexamples to the Middle Runner Conjecture

Carptopus
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Advanced Combinatorial Mathematics
preprint

A Continuous Family of Counterexamples to the Middle Runner Conjecture

Carptopus
preprint en

Abstract

The 2015 AIM middle runner conjecture allows arbitrary initial positions and predicts a symmetry between complementary order statistics for runners with commensurable nonzero speeds on a circular track. For velocities (1,2,3) and initial positions (0,0,a), this manuscript determines the average median position exactly as a piecewise quadratic function of a. Modulo one, the conjectured value holds only at a=0 and a=1/2; every other offset is a counterexample, giving an uncountable continuous family. The proof is a complete piecewise integration and is accompanied by exact rational verification. Scope: The result concerns this fixed one-parameter three-runner family and the hypotheses printed in the 2015 problem list; it does not classify arbitrary three-runner systems or address a strengthened common-start version. Status: Public Beta v0.1; internally verified candidate proof; external mathematical review pending.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Advanced Combinatorial Mathematics
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.