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Equation 8 · Part 3 · Context Window Size Versus What a Frontier Model Can Actually Recall From It

subscript

Leff(τ)L_{\mathrm{eff}}(\tau)
subscript

What this part means

The lower label selects a particular version, component, or indexed member of the quantity. For example, x₀ and xₜ can be values at different positions.

Its job in the formula

A subscript distinguishes a version, component, step, or member of a quantity. It does not automatically mean multiplication.

The passage around this formula

W is a documented constant, published on day one of a model’s release, identical no matter who asks. Leff(τ)L_{\mathrm{eff}}(\tau) is a measured variable — specific to a task, a threshold, a benchmark design, and a date — and every result surveyed above shows it running well below W well before W is reached. The two quantities answer different questions, and only one of them is available the moment a model ships.

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Learn the underlying idea

A subscript is a label attached below a symbol. It often selects a time step, component, category, or member of a sequence.

Open the illustrated subscripts: which member of a family? guide →

Sources cited in the article section

These citations provide research context; check each source for the exact claim it supports.