English

Between the deterministic and non-deterministic query complexity

Computational Complexity 2025-04-10 v2

Abstract

We consider problems that can be solved by asking certain queries. The deterministic query complexity D(P,n)D(P,n) of a problem PP is the smallest number of queries needed to ask in order to find the solution with an input of size nn (in the worst case), while the non-deterministic query complexity D0(P,n)D_0(P,n) is the smallest number of queries needed to ask, in case we know the solution, to prove that it is indeed the solution (in the worst case). Equivalently, D(P,n)D(P,n) is the largest number of queries needed to find the solution in case an Adversary is answering the queries, while D0(P)D_0(P) is the largest number of queries needed to find the solution in case an Adversary chooses the input. We define a series of quantities between these two values, Dk(P,n)D_k(P,n) is the largest number of queries needed to find the solution in case an Adversary chooses the input, and answers the queries, but he can change the input at most kk times. We give bounds on Dk(P,n)D_k(P,n) for various problems PP.

Cite

@article{arxiv.1907.09531,
  title  = {Between the deterministic and non-deterministic query complexity},
  author = {Dániel Gerbner},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1907.09531},
  year   = {2025}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-23T10:27:35.067Z