From Decision to Random Certificates: Exponential Separation for Edge Estimation with Independent Set Queries

We study the problem of estimating the number of edges in an undirected, unweighted graph using sublinear query access. We consider a query model that preserves the structure of Independent Set (IS) queries, but augments their output with a random certificate: given a vertex subset, the oracle returns a uniformly random edge from the induced subgraph if one exists, and returns null otherwise. Using this access, we give a randomized algorithm that outputs a $(1 \pm \varepsilon)$-approximation to the number of edges with constant success probability using $\widetilde{O}(\log^{2} m)$ queries. This implies an exponential separation from both standard IS queries and global random edge-sampling models: estimating the number of edges using standard IS queries require $\widetildeΘ\!\left(\min\left\{\sqrt{m},\, \frac{n}{\sqrt{m}}\right\}\right)$ queries, while direct random edge-sample access requires $\widetildeΘ(\sqrt{m})$ samples. Beyond separation in query complexity, our algorithm is output-sensitive: its query complexity is polylogarithmic in the number of edges in the graph. This aligns with the classical objective in group testing, where one seeks algorithms that are both worst-case optimal and instance-adaptive. Conceptually, our model connects group testing, the decision-versus-counting dichotomy, graph property testing, and the "power of a random certificate", and can be viewed as a structured form of conditional sampling of edges in graphs.