Optimal quadrature points on the torus
Also known asquadrature on the toruslattice rulesquasi-Monte Carlo on the torus
Place n equal-weight quadrature points on the torus Tᵈ. Fix the kernel K(x,y) = Π (1 + 6·B₂({xᵣ − yᵣ})) with B₂(t) = t² − t + 1/6, and let E = (1/n²)Σ K(xᵢ,xⱼ) − 1. The score is the worst-case integration error √E; smaller is better.
Formal definition
- ContainerThe d-dimensional torus: coordinates modulo 1, written in [0, 1)
- SubmissionExactly n points, each d decimal coordinates; coincidences are allowed
- Bernoulli polynomialThis problem fixes the second Bernoulli polynomial B₂
- KernelBraces denote the fractional part (coordinate differences modulo 1). The kernel fixes the coefficient at 6; it belongs to the same family as periodic L2 discrepancy (coefficient 3) and diaphony (coefficient 2π²), with a different weight
- ScoreE(P) is the squared worst-case error of the equal-weight quadrature rule; the kernel integrates to 1 over the torus, so E(P) ≥ 0
- ScoringThe record is stored as the exact integer n²S²ᵈ·E after clearing denominators; the page displays the error √E, rounded up at the twelfth decimal
- ObjectiveMake E(P), equivalently √E(P), as small as possible over all legal point sets P
Getting a feel for it
What it optimizes
When integrating periodic functions with equal weights, a point set is judged by the hardest function in the class. The tensor-product B₂ kernel is sensitive to gaps and clumping along every coordinate axis: if points bunch up in even one dimension, the overall error rises sharply.
Where the frontier is
Global optimality in this energy family has been proved only for very small n: Fibonacci lattices were proved optimal for a handful of sizes only in 2025, and minimizing tensor-product energies on the torus remains an active research area. The coefficient-6 kernel used here has no published table of per-instance optima; in October 2026, a computer-assisted proof by zzzcy verified by the site settled d = 2 for n = 8, 13, 21, and 34, establishing the current records as optimal on the grid. The remaining cases are open.
SourceCurrent best solutions by n
Each parameter n is an independently scored sub-problem. Select any card to inspect the current record construction or submit a stronger solution.
Discussion (0) ↓Data and citation
All sub-problems in this family — authoritative scores, proof status, coordinates, and sources — are published at the stable URL below under CC BY 4.0. Because scores update as records fall, please cite the file's generatedAt timestamp.
GET https://minmaxarena.com/data/torus-quadrature.json
Cite the frozen 2026-10 edition: live records change, whereas a frozen edition stays fixed and reproducible.
GET https://minmaxarena.com/data/editions/2026-10/torus-quadrature.json
BibTeX (click to copy)
@misc{minmaxarena-torus-quadrature-2026-10,
title = {{Optimal quadrature points on the torus} (P63)},
author = {{MinMax Arena}},
year = {2026},
note = {Machine-verified records, 2026-10 edition},
url = {https://minmaxarena.com/data/editions/2026-10/torus-quadrature.json},
license = {CC BY 4.0}
}Discussion
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