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Equation 20 · How to Evaluate Codex Beyond SWE-bench and Vendor Scores

What does this equation mean?

U=∑i[pivi−Ci−Hi−(1−pi) qiLi],U=\sum_i\left[p_i v_i-C_i-H_i-(1-p_i)\,q_i L_i\right],

Read the formula alongside the article passage below. Each part has a deeper page with its role in the equation, the supporting passage and nearby citations.

Inputs and operationssum_i[p_i v_i-C_i-H_i-(1-p_i)q_i L_i]
Result or conditionU
How to read the two sides of this formula. Follow the article passage for the meaning of each quantity.

This equation states an equality: the expressions on both sides have the same value under the article’s assumptions. Read the equation part by part below; each part has a contextual explanation and a link to its mathematical background.

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UU

Symbol U

Expected net value.

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ii

Symbol i

i appears in the bound of this sum. The bound states where the repeated operation starts, ends, or which values it includes.

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pip_i

Symbol p_i

pip_i is one of the signed contributions combined to compute the quantity on the left.

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viv_i

Symbol v_i

the value of correctly completing task i , CiC_i direct inference and infrastructure cost, HiH_i human specification and review cost, and LiL_i loss from an accepted failure.

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CiC_i

Symbol C_i

CiC_i is one of the signed contributions combined to compute the quantity on the left.

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HiH_i

Symbol H_i

HiH_i is one of the signed contributions combined to compute the quantity on the left.

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qiq_i

Symbol q_i

the probability a failure escapes detection and is accepted.

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LiL_i

Symbol L_i

LiL_i is one of the signed contributions combined to compute the quantity on the left.

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=

=

The expressions on both sides represent the same quantity under the stated assumptions.

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subtraction

subtraction

Subtract the following term or group from the preceding one. A leading minus marks a negative quantity.

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subscript

subscript

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.

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ii

Starting index or lower bound: i

This label says where the repeated addition, multiplication, or accumulation starts. Read its value or condition together with the article’s description of the index.

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How to interpret it

Read it with the definitions, units, and assumptions supplied by the article.

What the article says around this equation

Let viv_i be the value of correctly completing task i , CiC_i direct inference and infrastructure cost, HiH_i human specification and review cost, and LiL_i loss from an accepted failure. Expected net value is U=∑i[pivi−Ci−Hi−(1−pi) qiLi]U=\sum_i\left[p_i v_i-C_i-H_i-(1-p_i)\,q_i L_i\right]. where qiq_i is the probability a failure escapes detection and is accepted. A high resolve rate can have negative utility if it requires extreme review or creates rare, expensive escapes. A lower autonomous rate can be valuable if the system reliably identifies useful partial progress and makes review cheap.

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For background, read the article’s source list.

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