TheoremDB

Problem packetResearch packetR553

R553Reproduced evidence

The minimum nonagon tree dilation is 2+4 cos(pi/9)

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Authored summary

Every spanning tree has dilation at least 2+4 cos(pi/9), and each vertex-centered star attains equality.

The recorded result has been reproduced within its stated scope.

Recorded status: established

Recorded scope: all Euclidean spanning trees on the nine labeled vertices of a regular nonagon of circumradius one

Complete recorded scope and conditions
{
  "kind": "bounded",
  "statement": "all Euclidean spanning trees on the nine labeled vertices of a regular nonagon of circumradius one",
  "bounds": {
    "vertex_count": {
      "min": 9,
      "max": 9
    },
    "circumradius": {
      "min": 1,
      "max": 1
    },
    "labeled_tree_count": {
      "min": 4782969,
      "max": 4782969
    }
  },
  "exhaustive": true
}

Originating problem: Minimum spanning-tree dilation on the regular nonagon

Authored record and scope
Authored title
The minimum nonagon tree dilation is 2+4 cos(pi/9)
Record type
claim
Stored status
established
Evidence grade
reproduced
Recorded scope data
{ "kind": "bounded", "statement": "all Euclidean spanning trees on the nine labeled vertices of a regular nonagon of circumradius one", "bounds": { "vertex_count": { "min": 9, "max": 9 }, "circumradius": { "min": 1, "max": 1 }, "labeled_tree_count": { "min": 4782969, "max": 4782969 } }, "exhaustive": true }

2Authored explanation

Number the vertices cyclically from 0 through 8, put \(\theta=\pi/9\), and write \(\ell_k=2\sin(k\theta)\) for a chord spanning \(k\) polygon steps. The star centered at vertex 0 has its largest detour between vertices 4 and 5. That path has length \(2\ell_4\), while the direct chord has length \(\ell_1\). Its dilation is therefore \[ S=\frac{2\sin(4\pi/9)}{\sin(\pi/9)}. \] The executable certificate compares every pair in this star and finds no larger ratio.

Let \(x=2\cos(\pi/9)\). The triple-angle identity gives \(x^3-3x-1=0\), and \(\sin(4\theta)/\sin\theta=x^3-2x=x+1\). Hence \[ S=2+2x=2+4\cos(\pi/9). \] Equivalently, \(S\) is the largest root of \(s^3-6s^2+8\). The certified interval is \[ 5.758770483142<S<5.758770483144. \]

Pruefer words enumerate the \(9^7=4{,}782{,}969\) labeled spanning trees exactly once. For each tree, the certificate finds a vertex pair whose path-to-chord ratio is at least \(S\). Every comparison is decided in the cubic field generated by \(x\), using integer polynomial arithmetic and a rational isolating interval. This proves the matching lower bound. There are 7,515 labeled minimizing trees. They include the nine vertex-centered stars, one for each choice of center.

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Replay material: source only

3Evidence

Replay package: source only

A verification source is cited. This record has no executable replay attached.

Verification source: doi.org ↗, Independent exact certificate nonagon-tree-artifact-complete-pruefer-search, executed on 2026-07-24

4What was measured

5How it connects

Evidenced by

Recorded for

Machine-readable record

Copy the structured record when continuing this work with an agent.

json
{
  "schema": "theoremdb-agent-record-v1",
  "ref": "R553",
  "content_hash": null,
  "slug": "nonagon-tree-claim-exact-minimum",
  "type": "claim",
  "title": "The minimum nonagon tree dilation is 2+4 cos(pi/9)",
  "summary": "Every spanning tree has dilation at least 2+4 cos(pi/9), and each vertex-centered star attains equality.",
  "relevance": "For Minimum spanning-tree dilation on the regular nonagon, record nonagon-tree-claim-exact-minimum (“The minimum nonagon tree dilation is 2+4 cos(pi/9)”) records a bound, answer, status fact, or structural consequence. The record states: Every spanning tree has dilation at least 2+4 cos(pi/9), and each vertex-centered star attains equality.",
  "relevance_source": "recorded",
  "body": "Number the vertices cyclically from 0 through 8, put \\(\\theta=\\pi/9\\), and write \\(\\ell_k=2\\sin(k\\theta)\\) for a chord spanning \\(k\\) polygon steps. The star centered at vertex 0 has its largest detour between vertices 4 and 5. That path has length \\(2\\ell_4\\), while the direct chord has length \\(\\ell_1\\). Its dilation is therefore\n\\[\nS=\\frac{2\\sin(4\\pi/9)}{\\sin(\\pi/9)}.\n\\]\nThe executable certificate compares every pair in this star and finds no larger ratio.\n\nLet \\(x=2\\cos(\\pi/9)\\). The triple-angle identity gives \\(x^3-3x-1=0\\), and \\(\\sin(4\\theta)/\\sin\\theta=x^3-2x=x+1\\). Hence\n\\[\nS=2+2x=2+4\\cos(\\pi/9).\n\\]\nEquivalently, \\(S\\) is the largest root of \\(s^3-6s^2+8\\). The certified interval is\n\\[\n5.758770483142<S<5.758770483144.\n\\]\n\nPruefer words enumerate the \\(9^7=4{,}782{,}969\\) labeled spanning trees exactly once. For each tree, the certificate finds a vertex pair whose path-to-chord ratio is at least \\(S\\). Every comparison is decided in the cubic field generated by \\(x\\), using integer polynomial arithmetic and a rational isolating interval. This proves the matching lower bound. There are 7,515 labeled minimizing trees. They include the nine vertex-centered stars, one for each choice of center.",
  "status": "established",
  "evidence_grade": "reproduced",
  "scope": {
    "kind": "bounded",
    "statement": "all Euclidean spanning trees on the nine labeled vertices of a regular nonagon of circumradius one",
    "bounds": {
      "vertex_count": {
        "min": 9,
        "max": 9
      },
      "circumradius": {
        "min": 1,
        "max": 1
      },
      "labeled_tree_count": {
        "min": 4782969,
        "max": 4782969
      }
    },
    "exhaustive": true
  },
  "reproduction": {
    "schema": "theoremdb-reproduction-v1",
    "readiness": "source_only",
    "kind": "claim",
    "citation": {
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.4230/LIPIcs.SoCG.2025.26",
      "locator": "Independent exact certificate nonagon-tree-artifact-complete-pruefer-search, executed on 2026-07-24"
    },
    "missing": [
      "source",
      "command",
      "runtime",
      "expected_output"
    ]
  },
  "formal_statement": null,
  "source": {
    "url": "https://doi.org/10.4230/LIPIcs.SoCG.2025.26",
    "locator": "Independent exact certificate nonagon-tree-artifact-complete-pruefer-search, executed on 2026-07-24"
  },
  "models": [],
  "continuation": null,
  "relations": [
    {
      "slug": "R551",
      "title": "Exact Pruefer search over all nonagon spanning trees",
      "object_type": "artifact",
      "relation": "evidences",
      "direction": "incoming"
    },
    {
      "slug": "R552",
      "title": "Literature gives general circle bounds but no exact nonagon value",
      "object_type": "attempt",
      "relation": "informs",
      "direction": "incoming"
    },
    {
      "slug": "regular-nonagon-tree-dilation",
      "title": "regular nonagon tree dilation",
      "object_type": "problem",
      "relation": "recorded_for",
      "direction": "outgoing"
    }
  ]
}

7Provenance

View source, identifiers, and projection details

A statement this project treats as settled at the recorded evidence grade, with the work that backs it.

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