
doi: 10.1109/ccc.2014.27
A direct product function is a function of the form g(x_1, ldots, x_k)=(g_1(x_1), ldots, g_k(x_k)). We show that the direct product property is locally testable with two queries, that is, a canonical two-query test distinguishes between direct product functions and functions that are far from direct products with constant probability. This local testing question comes up naturally in the context of PCPs, where direct products play a prominent role for gap amplification. We consider the following natural two query test for a given function f:[N]^kto[M]^k begin{quote} {bf Two query direct product test}: Choose x, y that agree on a random set A of t coordinates and accept if f(x)_A=f(y)_A. End{quote} We provide a comprehensive analysis of this test for all parameters N, M, k, tle O(k) and success probability delta>0. Our main result is that if a given function f:[N]^kto[M]^k passes the test with probability delta ge 1-eps then there is a direct product function g such that Pr[f(x)=g(x)]ge 1-O(eps). This is the first result relating success in the above (or any) test to the fraction of the domain on which f is equal to a direct product function. This test has been analyzed in previous works for the case t ll k ll N, and results show closeness of f to a direct product under a less natural measure of "approximate agreement". In the small soundness regime, we prove that if the test above passes with probability delta ge exp(-k), then the function agrees with a direct product function on local parts of the domain. This extends the previous range of parameters of delta ge exp(-sqrt[3]k) to the entire meaningful range of delta>exp(-k).
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 16 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
