Complexity Dichotomies for Counting Problems: Volume 1, Boolean Domain

Jin-Yi Cai author Xi Chen author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:16th Nov '17

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Complexity Dichotomies for Counting Problems: Volume 1, Boolean Domain cover

A sweeping classification theory for computational counting problems using new techniques and theories.

Complexity theory aims to understand and classify computational problems according to their inherent complexity. This book uses new techniques to expand the theory for use with counting problems on the Boolean domain and is broadly accessible to researchers and graduate students.Complexity theory aims to understand and classify computational problems, especially decision problems, according to their inherent complexity. This book uses new techniques to expand the theory for use with counting problems. The authors present dichotomy classifications for broad classes of counting problems in the realm of P and NP. Classifications are proved for partition functions of spin systems, graph homomorphisms, constraint satisfaction problems, and Holant problems. The book assumes minimal prior knowledge of computational complexity theory, developing proof techniques as needed and gradually increasing the generality and abstraction of the theory. This volume presents the theory on the Boolean domain, and includes a thorough presentation of holographic algorithms, culminating in classifications of computational problems studied in exactly solvable models from statistical mechanics.

'This remarkable volume presents persuasive evidence that computer applications obey beautiful unities: within the significant classes considered, the problems that are not known to be polynomial time computable are all reducible to each other by a small number of elegant techniques. The treatment is original, comprehensive and thought provoking.' Leslie Valiant, Harvard University, Massachusetts
'This book provides a thorough study of the complexity of counting. These basic problems arise in statistical physics, optimization, algebraic combinatorics and computational complexity. The past fifteen years of research have led to a (surprisingly clean) complete characterization of their complexity in the form of a 'dichotomy theorem', whose proof is the main goal of this volume. Along the way, the authors provide detailed explanations of basic methods for studying such problems, including holographic algorithms and reductions. The book is very well written and organized, and should be useful to researchers and graduate students in the fields above.' Avi Wigderson, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey
'This book would make an excellent introduction to the field of counting complexity for a mathematically literate reader with little or no background in computational complexity … Many of the results included in the book are recent, and have not appeared in book form before. As such, this thorough, self-contained treatment of the subject makes a very valuable contribution to the literature.' Kitty Meeks, MathSciNet
'There's no doubt in my mind that anyone interested in computational complexity would benefit greatly by reading it. It is a remarkable and indispensable book about a deep and important topic.' Frederic Green, SIGACT News

ISBN: 9781107062375

Dimensions: 236mm x 158mm x 30mm

Weight: 770g

470 pages