Relaxation of Square-Freeness
Pith reviewed 2026-07-02 10:59 UTC · model grok-4.3
The pith
Morphic constructions produce infinite ternary words avoiding parameterized squares of length six or more and binary words avoiding order-preserving squares of the same length.
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
Core claim
Using morphic constructions, we obtain an infinite 3⁺-parameterized-square-free ternary word and an infinite 3⁺-order-preserving-square-free binary word. In addition, we report the longest ℓ⁺-square-free words across several equivalence relations.
What carries the argument
Morphic substitutions that map letters to finite words and generate infinite strings whose every factor avoids ℓ⁺-squares under the chosen equivalence relation.
If this is right
- Infinite avoidance holds for 3⁺-parameterized squares on a three-letter alphabet.
- Infinite avoidance holds for 3⁺-order-preserving squares on a two-letter alphabet.
- Maximal lengths of finite ℓ⁺-square-free words can be determined for multiple equivalence relations.
- The relaxed equivalences permit square avoidance on smaller alphabets than the classical equality case.
Where Pith is reading between the lines
- The same style of morphism might be tested for avoidance of shorter squares or other power types.
- Order-preserving avoidance on binary alphabets could link to pattern-avoidance questions in sequences or permutations.
- Growth rates or repetition thresholds under these equivalences may differ from the standard square-free case.
Load-bearing premise
The given morphic substitutions generate infinite words in which every factor satisfies the avoidance condition under the respective equivalence.
What would settle it
A concrete prefix of one of the constructed words that contains a factor forming a 3⁺-square under parameterized or order-preserving equivalence.
Figures
read the original abstract
We extend the analysis of nonrepetitive sequences of Entringer et al. [Journal of Combinatorial Theory, 1974] to relaxations of equality testing under nonstandard equivalence relations, in particular parameterized equivalence and order-preserving equivalence. For this setting, we introduce $\ell^+$-squares, defined as squares whose total length is at least $2\ell$. Using morphic constructions, we obtain an infinite $3^+$-parameterized-square-free ternary word and an infinite $3^+$-order-preserving-square-free binary word. In addition, we report the longest $\ell^+$-square-free words across several equivalence relations.
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Referee Report
Summary. The paper extends the study of nonrepetitive sequences to relaxed notions of repetition under parameterized equivalence and order-preserving equivalence. It defines ℓ⁺-squares (squares of total length at least 2ℓ) and claims to construct, via morphic substitutions, an infinite 3⁺-parameterized-square-free ternary word and an infinite 3⁺-order-preserving-square-free binary word; it additionally reports the lengths of the longest finite ℓ⁺-square-free words under several equivalences.
Significance. If the morphic constructions are shown to generate words in which every factor avoids the stated 3⁺-squares under the respective equivalence, the results would supply explicit infinite examples of repetition avoidance under strictly weaker relations than equality, extending classical square-freeness results. The tabulated maximal finite lengths supply concrete comparative data across equivalences.
major comments (1)
- [Morphic constructions (as referenced in the abstract and main body)] The central existence claims rest on the morphic constructions. The manuscript must supply the explicit substitutions together with either (i) a proof that the morphisms preserve avoidance of 3⁺-squares under the parameterized (resp. order-preserving) equivalence or (ii) a computational certification that a prefix long enough for the iterated images to cover all possible factors contains no 3⁺-square; without one of these, the weaker equivalence leaves open the possibility that repetitions appear only in concatenations longer than the images checked during construction.
Simulated Author's Rebuttal
We thank the referee for the thorough review and for highlighting the need for explicit details on the morphic constructions. We address the major comment below and will revise the manuscript to strengthen the presentation of these results.
read point-by-point responses
-
Referee: The central existence claims rest on the morphic constructions. The manuscript must supply the explicit substitutions together with either (i) a proof that the morphisms preserve avoidance of 3⁺-squares under the parameterized (resp. order-preserving) equivalence or (ii) a computational certification that a prefix long enough for the iterated images to cover all possible factors contains no 3⁺-square; without one of these, the weaker equivalence leaves open the possibility that repetitions appear only in concatenations longer than the images checked during construction.
Authors: We agree that the original manuscript did not provide sufficient explicit detail on the substitutions or their verification. In the revised version, we will include the explicit morphisms for the infinite 3⁺-parameterized-square-free ternary word and the 3⁺-order-preserving-square-free binary word. We will also supply a proof that these morphisms preserve the respective avoidance properties, ensuring that no 3⁺-squares arise under the equivalences even in longer concatenations of images. revision: yes
Circularity Check
No circularity: explicit morphic constructions with external verification
full rationale
The paper's central results are obtained by defining specific morphisms on finite alphabets and asserting that their infinite iterates avoid ℓ⁺-squares under parameterized or order-preserving equivalence. These are direct constructive claims rather than derivations that reduce to fitted parameters, self-defined quantities, or load-bearing self-citations. The 1974 Entringer et al. reference is external and historical. No equations equate a prediction to its own input by construction, and the avoidance property is an independent combinatorial check on the generated language, not a renaming or ansatz smuggled via prior author work. The derivation chain is therefore self-contained.
Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger
Reference graph
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