Extremal Optimization for Graph Partitioning
Abstract
Extremal optimization is a new general-purpose method for approximating solutions to hard optimization problems. We study the method in detail by way of the NP-hard graph partitioning problem. We discuss the scaling behavior of extremal optimization, focusing on the convergence of the average run as a function of runtime and system size. The method has a single free parameter, which we determine numerically and justify using a simple argument. Our numerical results demonstrate that on random graphs, extremal optimization maintains consistent accuracy for increasing system sizes, with an approximation error decreasing over runtime roughly as a power law t^(-0.4). On geometrically structured graphs, the scaling of results from the average run suggests that these are far from optimal, with large fluctuations between individual trials. But when only the best runs are considered, results consistent with theoretical arguments are recovered.
Cite
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0104214,
title = {Extremal Optimization for Graph Partitioning},
author = {S. Boettcher and A. G. Percus},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0104214},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
34 pages, RevTex4, 1 table and 20 ps-figures included, related papers available at http://www.physics.emory.edu/faculty/boettcher/