Structured pigeonhole principle, search problems and hard tautologies

2005 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 619-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Krajíček
Keyword(s):  
Proof Complexity ◽  
Proof System ◽  
Search Problem ◽  
Ramsey Property ◽  
Relational Structures ◽  
Proof Systems ◽  
Polynomial Size ◽  
Hashing Function ◽  
The Universe ◽  
Study Behaviour

AbstractWe consider exponentially large finite relational structures (with the universe {0, 1}n) whose basic relations are computed by polynomial size (nO(1)) circuits. We study behaviour of such structures when pulled back by P/poly maps to a bigger or to a smaller universe. In particular, we prove that:1. If there exists a P/poly map g: {0, 1}n → {0, 1}m, n < m, iterable for a proof system then a tautology (independent of g) expressing that a particular size n set is dominating in a size 2n tournament is hard for the proof system.2. The search problem WPHP. decoding RSA or finding a collision in a hashing function can be reduced to finding a size m homogeneous subgraph in a size 22m graph.Further we reduce the proof complexity of a concrete tautology (expressing a Ramsey property of a graph) in strong systems to the complexity of implicit proofs of implicit formulas in weak proof systems.

scholarly journals ON THE PROOF COMPLEXITY OF THE NISAN–WIGDERSON GENERATOR BASED ON A HARD NP ∩ coNP FUNCTION

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
pp. 11-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAN KRAJÍČEK
Keyword(s):  
Propositional Logic ◽  
Reflection Principle ◽  
Proof Complexity ◽  
Proof System ◽  
Universal Theory ◽  
General Statement ◽  
Disjunction Property ◽  
Proof Systems ◽  
Polynomial Size ◽  
Theory Formula

Let g be a map defined as the Nisan–Wigderson generator but based on an NP ∩ coNP -function f. Any string b outside the range of g determines a propositional tautology τ(g)b expressing this fact. Razborov [27] has conjectured that if f is hard on average for P/poly then these tautologies have no polynomial size proofs in the Extended Frege system EF. We consider a more general Statement (S) that the tautologies have no polynomial size proofs in any propositional proof system. This is equivalent to the statement that the complement of the range of g contains no infinite NP set. We prove that Statement (S) is consistent with Cook' s theory PV and, in fact, with the true universal theory T PV in the language of PV. If PV in this consistency statement could be extended to "a bit" stronger theory (properly included in Buss's theory [Formula: see text]) then Razborov's conjecture would follow, and if TPV could be added too then Statement (S) would follow. We discuss this problem in some detail, pointing out a certain form of reflection principle for propositional logic, and we introduce a related feasible disjunction property of proof systems.

scholarly journals Simulating Strong Practical Proof Systems with Extended Resolution

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (7) ◽  
pp. 1247-1267
Author(s):  
Benjamin Kiesl ◽  
Adrián Rebola-Pardo ◽  
Marijn J. H. Heule ◽  
Armin Biere
Keyword(s):  
Propositional Logic ◽  
Proof Complexity ◽  
Proof System ◽  
Compact Representation ◽  
Sat Solving ◽  
Proof Systems ◽  
The Sixties ◽  
New Variables ◽  
Resolution Proof ◽  
Do So

Abstract Proof systems for propositional logic provide the basis for decision procedures that determine the satisfiability status of logical formulas. While the well-known proof system of extended resolution—introduced by Tseitin in the sixties—allows for the compact representation of proofs, modern SAT solvers (i.e., tools for deciding propositional logic) are based on different proof systems that capture practical solving techniques in an elegant way. The most popular of these proof systems is likely DRAT, which is considered the de-facto standard in SAT solving. Moreover, just recently, the proof system DPR has been proposed as a generalization of DRAT that allows for short proofs without the need of new variables. Since every extended-resolution proof can be regarded as a DRAT proof and since every DRAT proof is also a DPR proof, it was clear that both DRAT and DPR generalize extended resolution. In this paper, we show that—from the viewpoint of proof complexity—these two systems are no stronger than extended resolution. We do so by showing that (1) extended resolution polynomially simulates DRAT and (2) DRAT polynomially simulates DPR. We implemented our simulations as proof-transformation tools and evaluated them to observe their behavior in practice. Finally, as a side note, we show how Kullmann’s proof system based on blocked clauses (another generalization of extended resolution) is related to the other systems.

scholarly journals Computational and Proof Complexity of Partial String Avoidability

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Dmitry Itsykson ◽  
Alexander Okhotin ◽  
Vsevolod Oparin
Keyword(s):  
Lower Bounds ◽  
Circuit Complexity ◽  
Conjunctive Normal Form ◽  
Proof Complexity ◽  
Proof Systems ◽  
Finite Set ◽  
Propositional Proof Systems ◽  
Classical Proof ◽  
Exponential Size ◽  
Infinite String

The partial string avoidability problem is stated as follows: given a finite set of strings with possible “holes” (wildcard symbols), determine whether there exists a two-sided infinite string containing no substrings from this set, assuming that a hole matches every symbol. The problem is known to be NP-hard and in PSPACE, and this article establishes its PSPACE-completeness. Next, string avoidability over the binary alphabet is interpreted as a version of conjunctive normal form satisfiability problem, where each clause has infinitely many shifted variants. Non-satisfiability of these formulas can be proved using variants of classical propositional proof systems, augmented with derivation rules for shifting proof lines (such as clauses, inequalities, polynomials, etc.). First, it is proved that there is a particular formula that has a short refutation in Resolution with a shift rule but requires classical proofs of exponential size. At the same time, it is shown that exponential lower bounds for classical proof systems can be translated for their shifted versions. Finally, it is shown that superpolynomial lower bounds on the size of shifted proofs would separate NP from PSPACE; a connection to lower bounds on circuit complexity is also established.

Chapter 31. Quantified Boolean Formulas

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olaf Beyersdorff ◽  
Mikoláš Janota ◽  
Florian Lonsing ◽  
Martina Seidl
Keyword(s):  
Performance Characteristics ◽  
Proof Complexity ◽  
Proof Systems ◽  
Quantified Boolean Formulas ◽  
Boolean Formulas ◽  
Clause Learning ◽  
Dependency Schemes

Solvers for quantified Boolean formulas (QBF) have become powerful tools for tackling hard computational problems from various application domains, even beyond the scope of SAT. This chapter gives a description of the main algorithmic paradigms for QBF solving, including quantified conflict driven clause learning (QCDCL), expansion-based solving, dependency schemes, and QBF preprocessing. Particular emphasis is laid on the connections of these solving approaches to QBF proof systems: Q-Resolution and its variants in the case of QCDCL, expansion QBF resolution calculi for expansion-based solving, and QRAT for preprocessing. The chapter also surveys the relations between the various QBF proof systems and results on their proof complexity, thereby shedding light on the diverse performance characteristics of different solving approaches that are observed in practice.

scholarly journals A duality between proof systems for cyclic term graphs

2007 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
CLEMENS GRABMAYER
Keyword(s):  
Close Connection ◽  
Proof System ◽  
Consistency Checking ◽  
Duality Result ◽  
First Order ◽  
Proof Systems ◽  
Similar Proof ◽  
Equational Specifications ◽  
Cyclic Term

This paper presents a proof-theoretic observation about two kinds of proof systems for bisimilarity between cyclic term graphs.First we consider proof systems for demonstrating that μ term specifications of cyclic term graphs have the same tree unwinding. We establish a close connection between adaptations for μ terms over a general first-order signature of the coinductive axiomatisation of recursive type equivalence by Brandt and Henglein (Brandt and Henglein 1998) and of a proof system by Ariola and Klop (Ariola and Klop 1995) for consistency checking. We show that there exists a simple duality by mirroring between derivations in the former system and formalised consistency checks, which are called ‘consistency unfoldings', in the latter. This result sheds additional light on the axiomatisation of Brandt and Henglein: it provides an alternative soundness proof for the adaptation considered here.We then outline an analogous duality result that holds for a pair of similar proof systems for proving that equational specifications of cyclic term graphs are bisimilar.

scholarly journals Universal Hash Proofs and a Paradigm for Adaptive Chosen Ciphertext Secure Public-Key Encryption

2001 ◽  
Vol 8 (37) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Cramer ◽  
Victor Shoup
Keyword(s):  
Special Kind ◽  
Public Key ◽  
Proof System ◽  
Reasonable Assumption ◽  
Encryption Scheme ◽  
Public Key Encryption ◽  
Proof Systems ◽  
Encryption Schemes ◽  
Hash Proof System ◽  
Chosen Ciphertext Attack

We present several new and fairly practical public-key encryption schemes and prove them secure against adaptive chosen ciphertext attack. One scheme is based on Paillier's Decision Composite Residuosity (DCR) assumption, while another is based in the classical Quadratic Residuosity (QR) assumption. The analysis is in the standard cryptographic model, i.e., the security of our schemes does not rely on the Random Oracle model.<br /> <br />We also introduce the notion of a universal hash proof system. Essentially, this is a special kind of non-interactive zero-knowledge proof system for an NP language. We do not show that universal hash proof systems exist for all NP languages, but we do show how to construct very efficient universal hash proof systems for a general class of group-theoretic language membership problems.<br /> <br />Given an efficient universal hash proof system for a language with certain natural cryptographic indistinguishability properties, we show how to construct an efficient public-key encryption schemes secure against adaptive chosen ciphertext attack in the standard model. Our construction only uses the universal hash proof system as a primitive: no other primitives are required, although even more efficient encryption schemes can be obtained by using hash functions with appropriate collision-resistance properties. We show how to construct efficient universal hash proof systems for languages related to the DCR and QR assumptions. From these we get corresponding public-key encryption schemes that are secure under these assumptions. We also show that the Cramer-Shoup encryption scheme (which up until now was the only practical encryption scheme that could be proved secure against adaptive chosen ciphertext attack under a reasonable assumption, namely, the Decision Diffie-Hellman assumption) is also a special case of our general theory.

scholarly journals A Deductive Approach towards Reasoning about Algebraic Transition Systems

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Jun Fu ◽  
Jinzhao Wu ◽  
Hongyan Tan
Keyword(s):  
Complex Systems ◽  
Dynamic Logic ◽  
Decision Procedures ◽  
Proof System ◽  
Search Problem ◽  
Inference Rules ◽  
Algebraic Equations ◽  
Transition Systems ◽  
Proof Search ◽  
Polynomial Ideals

Algebraic transition systems are extended from labeled transition systems by allowing transitions labeled by algebraic equations for modeling more complex systems in detail. We present a deductive approach for specifying and verifying algebraic transition systems. We modify the standard dynamic logic by introducing algebraic equations into modalities. Algebraic transition systems are embedded in modalities of logic formulas which specify properties of algebraic transition systems. The semantics of modalities and formulas is defined with solutions of algebraic equations. A proof system for this logic is constructed to verify properties of algebraic transition systems. The proof system combines with inference rules decision procedures on the theory of polynomial ideals to reduce a proof-search problem to an algebraic computation problem. The proof system proves to be sound but inherently incomplete. Finally, a typical example illustrates that reasoning about algebraic transition systems with our approach is feasible.

Relational proof system for relevant logics

1992 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 1425-1440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Orlowska
Keyword(s):  
Natural Deduction ◽  
Proof System ◽  
Algebraic Semantics ◽  
Proof Systems ◽  
Relevant Logics ◽  
Deduction Rules

AbstractA method is presented for constructing natural deduction-style systems for propositional relevant logics. The method consists in first translating formulas of relevant logics into ternary relations, and then defining deduction rules for a corresponding logic of ternary relations. Proof systems of that form are given for various relevant logics. A class of algebras of ternary relations is introduced that provides a relation-algebraic semantics for relevant logics.

Witnessing matrix identities and proof complexity

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (02) ◽  
pp. 217-256
Author(s):  
Fu Li ◽  
Iddo Tzameret
Keyword(s):  
Computational Complexity ◽  
Lower Bound ◽  
Finite Basis ◽  
Proof Complexity ◽  
Polynomial Identities ◽  
Open Problems ◽  
Complete Proof ◽  
Proof Systems ◽  
Matrix Identity ◽  
Matrix Identities

We use results from the theory of algebras with polynomial identities (PI-algebras) to study the witness complexity of matrix identities. A matrix identity of [Formula: see text] matrices over a field [Formula: see text]is a non-commutative polynomial (f(x1, …, xn)) over [Formula: see text], such that [Formula: see text] vanishes on every [Formula: see text] matrix assignment to its variables. For every field [Formula: see text]of characteristic 0, every [Formula: see text] and every finite basis of [Formula: see text] matrix identities over [Formula: see text], we show there exists a family of matrix identities [Formula: see text], such that each [Formula: see text] has [Formula: see text] variables and requires at least [Formula: see text] many generators to generate, where the generators are substitution instances of elements from the basis. The lower bound argument uses fundamental results from PI-algebras together with a generalization of the arguments in [P. Hrubeš, How much commutativity is needed to prove polynomial identities? Electronic colloquium on computational complexity, ECCC, Report No.: TR11-088, June 2011].We apply this result in algebraic proof complexity, focusing on proof systems for polynomial identities (PI proofs) which operate with algebraic circuits and whose axioms are the polynomial-ring axioms [P. Hrubeš and I. Tzameret, The proof complexity of polynomial identities, in Proc. 24th Annual IEEE Conf. Computational Complexity, CCC 2009, 15–18 July 2009, Paris, France (2009), pp. 41–51; Short proofs for the determinant identities, SIAM J. Comput. 44(2) (2015) 340–383], and their subsystems. We identify a decrease in strength hierarchy of subsystems of PI proofs, in which the [Formula: see text]th level is a sound and complete proof system for proving [Formula: see text] matrix identities (over a given field). For each level [Formula: see text] in the hierarchy, we establish an [Formula: see text] lower bound on the number of proof-steps needed to prove certain identities.Finally, we present several concrete open problems about non-commutative algebraic circuits and speed-ups in proof complexity, whose solution would establish stronger size lower bounds on PI proofs of matrix identities, and beyond.

The relative efficiency of propositional proof systems

1979 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen A. Cook ◽  
Robert A. Reckhow
Keyword(s):  
Relative Efficiency ◽  
Natural Deduction ◽  
Type Systems ◽  
Linear Increase ◽  
Proof System ◽  
Proof Systems ◽  
System A ◽  
Frege Systems ◽  
Propositional Proof Systems ◽  
Hilbert Type

We are interested in studying the length of the shortest proof of a propositional tautology in various proof systems as a function of the length of the tautology. The smallest upper bound known for this function is exponential, no matter what the proof system. A question we would like to answer (but have not been able to) is whether this function has a polynomial bound for some proof system. (This question is motivated below.) Our results here are relative results.In §§2 and 3 we indicate that all standard Hilbert type systems (or Frege systems, as we call them) and natural deduction systems are equivalent, up to application of a polynomial, as far as minimum proof length goes. In §4 we introduce extended Frege systems, which allow introduction of abbreviations for formulas. Since these abbreviations can be iterated, they eliminate the need for a possible exponential growth in formula length in a proof, as is illustrated by an example (the pigeonhole principle). In fact, Theorem 4.6 (which is a variation of a theorem of Statman) states that with a penalty of at most a linear increase in the number of lines of a proof in an extended Frege system, no line in the proof need be more than a constant times the length of the formula proved.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document