Allen Lin


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Allen Lin

Email
Office
Office Hours
Tuesdays and Thursdays 3–4 pm at my office2

About Me

My name is Allen Lin (he/him). I am a first-year Ph.D. student studying mathematics at the University of California, Los Angeles. I recently graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with S.B. degrees in Course XVIII: Mathematics and Course VI-3: Computer Science and Engineering.

I am interested in analytic and algebraic number theory and theoretical computer science. Here are a few topics that I am interested in at the moment.

Analytic number theory. I am exploring harmonic and Fourier-analytic methods to bound error terms in estimating exponential sums and approximating arithmetical functions. I am also interested in the arithmeticity of special values of zeta functions and \(L\)-functions.
Algebraic number theory. I am interested in modular forms and their connections to \(L\)-functions, elliptic curves, the number of representation of integers, and sphere packing.
Theoretical computer science. I am interested in hardness results in complexity theory, the effectiveness of randomness in randomized algorithms, and random inputs in the behavior of Boolean functions and random graph theory.

My Erdős number is 4. View my collaboration distance ↗︎

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Recent Publications

All publications ↗︎
Preprint
Computing the Number of Peaks and Descents of Permutations Using Values of Dirichlet-Type Series ▾
Dominic Lanphier and Allen Lin

Let \(\mathfrak{G}_m\) be the symmetric group of permutations of \(m\) symbols, let \(t(m,k)\) be the number of elements in \(\mathfrak{G}_m\) with \(k\) peaks, and \(T(m,k)\) be the number of elements in \(\mathfrak{G}_m\) with \(k\) descents of length greater than \(1\). There are recursion relations that compute \(t(m,k)\) or \(T(m,k)\) in time exponential in \(m\) and \(k\). We give closed expressions for \(t(m,k)\) and \(T(m,k)\) that can be computed in time polynomial in \(m\).

Journal ↗︎
2026
Optimal thresholds for monotone non-Boolean functions ▾
Saba Lepsveridze and Allen Lin
Combinatorics, Probability, and Computing 35, no. 5 (2026): 734–746

Let \([q]=\{0,\ldots,q-1\}\), let \(\Delta[q]\) denote the simplex of probability measures on \([q]\), and let \(\gamma\) denote the Lebesgue measure normalized on \(\Delta[q]\). We prove that for any symmetric monotone function \(f\colon [q]^n \to [q]\) and any \(a \in [q]\) we have \[\gamma(\{\mu \in \Delta[q]\;\vert\;\mathbf{Pr}_{x \sim \mu^{\otimes n}}[f(x)=a] \in (\varepsilon,1-\varepsilon)\}) = O(1/\log n)\textrm{.}\] We also show that this bound is tight. This improves Kalai and Mossel’s previous bound of \(O(\log\log n/\log n)\) and answers their question completely.

Journal ↗︎
2025
The Gauss Circle Problem and Fourier Quasicrystals ▾
Roni Edwin and Allen Lin
International Mathematics Research Notices 2025, no. 19 (2025): 1–32

The Gauss circle problem asks for an approximation to the number of lattice points of \(\mathbb{Z}^2\) contained in \(B_r\), the disk of radius \(r\) centered at the origin. Upper, lower, and average bounds have been established for this number-theoretic problem and have been generalized to any lattice in any dimension. We extend this problem to a more general class of structures known as Fourier quasicrystals. Recent work from Alon, Kummer, Kurasov, and Vinzant provides an upper bound of the form \(\#(\Lambda \cap B_r) = c_0\textrm{Vol}_d(B_r) + O (r^{d-1})\) for any Fourier quasicrystal \(\Lambda \subset \mathbb{R}^d\) of density \(c_0\), where \(B_r\) is the \(d\)-dimensional ball of radius \(r\). In this paper, we improve the upper bound for any Fourier quasicrystal, by showing we can write \(\# (\Lambda \cap B_r ) = c_0\textrm{Vol}_d(B_r ) + O \left(r^{\theta(\Lambda)}\right)\), where \((d-1)/2 < \theta(\Lambda) < d-1\) is some exponent depending only on the dimension \(d\) and the growth rate of the spectrum \(S\) of \(\Lambda\). In the special case \(d = 2\), we also prove lower and upper bounds for the average of the error.

Journal ↗︎
2024
Values of certain Dirichlet series and higher derivative formulas of trigonometric functions ▾
Dominic Lanphier and Allen Lin
International Journal of Number Theory 20, no. 4 (2024): 995–1016

We determine new values of certain Dirichlet series and related infinite series. These formulas extend results of several authors. To obtain these results we apply recent expansions of higher derivative formulas of trigionometric functions. We also investigate the transcendentality of values of these series and arithmetic relations of the values of certain related infinite series.

Journal ↗︎

Recent Writing

All writing ↗︎
2026
The Zero-Free Region of the Riemann Zeta Function and Beurling Zeta Functions
Final paper for 18.156: Differential Analysis II, Spring 2026
PDF ↗︎
2025
Dependent Randomized Rounding on Bipartite Graphs
Final paper for 6.522: Randomized Algorithms, Fall 2025
PDF ↗︎
2025
Knots and Legendre Symbols
Final paper for 18.904: Seminar in Topology, Spring 2025
PDF ↗︎
2025
SolarNet: A Proposed Reliable Extraterrestial Communications System
Final paper for 6.180: Computer Systems Engineering, Spring 2025
PDF ↗︎

Recent Talks

All talks ↗︎
31 Jan 2025
Modular and Automorphic Forms
Directed Reading Program
Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
2 Aug 2024
The Gauss Circle Problem and Fourier Quasicrystals
Summer Program in Undergraduate Research Conference
Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
3 Feb 2023
Analysis of Boolean Functions
Directed Reading Program
Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

Recent Teaching

All teaching ↗︎
Sep 2026–
MATH 170E: Introduction to Probability and Statistics 1: Probability
Department of Mathematics, University of California, Los Angeles
Teaching Assistant

I held office hours and review sessions for students in MATH 170E Introduction to Probability and Statistics 1: Probability and reinforced classroom learning.

Feb 2026–May 2026
18.781: Theory of Numbers
Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Teaching Assistant

I held office hours and review sessions for students in 18.781 Theory of Numbers and reinforced classroom learning. I assisted students in mastering proof techniques and provided individualized support to help students develop intuition for number-theroetic concepts. I consistently monitored Piazza (the class forum) and provided quick and reliable answers. I wrote and organized problem set solutions, graded problem sets and exams, and proctored exam sessions.

Jan 2026
Hong Kong International School
MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI), Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Global Teaching Labs Intern

I served as a Global Teaching Labs (GTL) Intern through MIT MISTI at Hong Kong International School. Designed and taught a computer science-focused STEM camp for middle school students, led interactive STEM workshops for elementary students, presented guest lectures in number theory and advanced mathematics, and assisted with high school courses in computer science, physics, and mathematics.

Recent Mentoring and Outreach

All mentoring and outreach ↗︎
Jul 2026
\(\surd\)mathroots
Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Residential Counselor

I lived in and oversaw the daily residential operations and logistics for the \(\surd\)mathroots program for twenty high-potential high school students in mathematics. I supervised students, organized and led recreational activities, and cultivated supportive relationships. I contributed to holistic student development through targeted educational programming and mentorship outside of academics.

Aug 2023–May 2026
First Year Associate Advisor Program
Office of the First Year, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Associate Advisor

As an associate advisor, I complement Prof. Mike Sipser, Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology as faculty advisor to provide academic and social support as well as resources to first-year students. I organized small frequent check-ins with advisees throughout the year as well as academic meetings, registration meetings, and lunches with Prof. Sipser.

Feb 2026–May 2026
Menezes Challenge PRIMES Circle
Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mentor

I mentored two high school students in a semester-long reading project on number theory through the PRIMES Circle program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I provided guidance on advanced mathematical concepts, led regular weekly discussions, and supported the development of a final paper and presentation on the Riemann zeta function.

Feb 2025–Aug 2025
Discover Mathematics First-Year Pre-Orientation Program
Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Head Counselor

As the head counselor for the Mathematics Department for the First-Year Pre-Orientation Program, I lead a team of eight counselors in planning the First-Year Pre-Orientation Program for incoming freshmen interested in mathematics. Organized the program and events, trained and delegated tasks to other counselors, led logistics such as meals and travel, and provided social and academic support as well as a warm introduction to incoming freshmen.

Jun 2023–Aug 2025
Discover Mathematics First-Year Pre-Orientation Program
Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Counselor

As a counselor for the Mathematics Department for the First-Year Pre-Orientation Program, I lead incoming freshmen at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and introduce them to the Mathematics Department at MIT and Boston. Organized the program and events such as academic talks and trivia and provided social and academic support as well as a warm introduction to incoming freshmen.