Context
The pair differs in one low binary digit. That distinction is dormant through two carry-separation regions even when exact source length is retained.
Hypotheses and scope
- Base two, canonical finite binary words, and the digit-length-growth observation g are used.
- q is an integer at least 4.
Proof or evidence
The proof establishes and . Affine run templates close both parity inductions as exact Laurent-polynomial identities; finite replay supplies only base and transcription checks.
Verification notes
The recurrence is stopped before flank overlap, even and odd terminal seams are checked separately, the complete a-branch tail is proved by T^4(U_r)=U_{r+1}, and the first differing index was checked for off-by-one errors.
Limitations
- The theorem concerns one coarse binary observation, not raw-input computational complexity.
- It says nothing about eventual palindromes or decimal reverse-and-add.