Related papers: On the Usefulness of Predicates

A $\mu$-biased Max-CSP instance with predicate $\psi:\{0,1\}^r \to \{0,1\}$ is an instance of Constraint Satisfaction Problem (CSP) where the objective is to find a labeling of relative weight at most $\mu$ which satisfies the maximum…

In this paper, we introduce a method for approximating the solution to inference and optimization tasks in uncertain and deterministic reasoning. Such tasks are in general intractable for exact algorithms because of the large number of…

A predicate f:{-1,1}^k -> {0,1} with \rho(f) = \frac{|f^{-1}(1)|}{2^k} is called {\it approximation resistant} if given a near-satisfiable instance of CSP(f), it is computationally hard to find an assignment that satisfies at least…

We present an efficient algorithm to solve semirandom planted instances of any Boolean constraint satisfaction problem (CSP). The semirandom model is a hybrid between worst-case and average-case input models, where the input is generated by…

For a $k$-ary predicate $P$, a random instance of CSP$(P)$ with $n$ variables and $m$ constraints is unsatisfiable with high probability when $m \gg n$. The natural algorithmic task in this regime is \emph{refutation}: finding a proof that…

We study random constraint satisfaction problems (CSPs) in the unsatisfiable regime. We relate the structure of near-optimal solutions for any Max-CSP to that for an associated spin glass on the hypercube, using the Guerra-Toninelli…

This thesis explores algorithmic applications and limitations of convex relaxation hierarchies for approximating some discrete and continuous optimization problems. - We show a dichotomy of approximability of constraint satisfaction…

An instance of the Valued Constraint Satisfaction Problem (VCSP) is given by a finite set of variables, a finite domain of labels, and a sum of functions, each function depending on a subset of the variables. Each function can take finite…

We study approximation algorithms for satisfiable and nearly satisfiable instances of ordering constraint satisfaction problems (ordering CSPs). Ordering CSPs arise naturally in ranking and scheduling, yet their approximability remains…

We initiate a study of when the value of mathematical relaxations such as linear and semidefinite programs for constraint satisfaction problems (CSPs) is approximately preserved when restricting the instance to a sub-instance induced by a…

We consider approximation algorithms for covering integer programs of the form min $\langle c, x \rangle $ over $x \in \mathbb{N}^n $ subject to $A x \geq b $ and $x \leq d$; where $A \in \mathbb{R}_{\geq 0}^{m \times n}$, $b \in…

A $(k \times l)$-birthday repetition $\mathcal{G}^{k \times l}$ of a two-prover game $\mathcal{G}$ is a game in which the two provers are sent random sets of questions from $\mathcal{G}$ of sizes $k$ and $l$ respectively. These two sets are…

The Graph Pricing problem is among the fundamental problems whose approximability is not well-understood. While there is a simple combinatorial 1/4-approximation algorithm, the best hardness result remains at 1/2 assuming the Unique Games…

We give a trichotomy theorem for the complexity of approximately counting the number of satisfying assignments of a Boolean CSP instance. Such problems are parameterised by a constraint language specifying the relations that may be used in…

We consider the question of approximating Max 2-CSP where each variable appears in at most $d$ constraints (but with possibly arbitrarily large alphabet). There is a simple $(\frac{d+1}{2})$-approximation algorithm for the problem. We prove…

Conjunctive query (CQ) evaluation is NP-complete, but becomes tractable for fragments of bounded hypertreewidth. Approximating a hard CQ by a query from such a fragment can thus allow for an efficient approximate evaluation. While…

Chance-constrained programs (CCP) represent a trade-off between conservatism and robustness in optimization. In many CCPs, one optimizes an objective under a probabilistic constraint continuously parameterized by a random vector $\xi$. In…

We study the approximability of predicates on $k$ variables from a domain $[q]$, and give a new sufficient condition for such predicates to be approximation resistant under the Unique Games Conjecture. Specifically, we show that a predicate…

For many constraint satisfaction problems, the algorithm which chooses a random assignment achieves the best possible approximation ratio. For instance, a simple random assignment for {\sc Max-E3-Sat} allows 7/8-approximation and for every…

We propose a new approximate method for counting the number of the solutions for constraint satisfaction problem (CSP). The method derives from the partition function based on introducing the free energy and capturing the relationship of…