arXiv — Machine Learning · · 3 min read

Provable Edge-of-Stability for Adam on a One-Dimensional Quadratic

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Computer Science > Machine Learning

arXiv:2608.20638 (cs)
[Submitted on 21 Aug 2026]

Title:Provable Edge-of-Stability for Adam on a One-Dimensional Quadratic

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Abstract:The edge-of-stability (EoS) phenomenon of Adam has been widely observed, while its underlying dynamical mechanism is not yet fully understood. We study uncorrected Adam on a one-dimensional quadratic, a clean setting where constant curvature isolates the optimizer-induced dynamics behind the EoS. We characterize the resulting dynamics across the parameter space. In broad regimes, we prove that Adam exhibits a restoring tendency toward its frozen stability threshold $2(1+\beta_1)/[\eta(1-\beta_1)]$. We also identify settings in which this edge-seeking mechanism breaks down, including strictly subcritical periodic orbits and specially tuned trajectories that converge to the optimum while remaining uniformly supercritical. These results give a concrete dynamical explanation for Adam's EoS in a setting free of evolving loss geometry, while also exposing its limitations.
Subjects: Machine Learning (cs.LG); Artificial Intelligence (cs.AI); Optimization and Control (math.OC)
Cite as: arXiv:2608.20638 [cs.LG]
  (or arXiv:2608.20638v1 [cs.LG] for this version)
  https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2608.20638
arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)

Submission history

From: Yiman Fong [view email]
[v1] Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:22:11 UTC (78 KB)
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