Worst-Case Hardness of Approximation for Sparse Optimization with L0 Norm

In this paper, we consider sparse optimization problems with L0 norm penalty or constraint. We prove that it is strongly NP-hard to find an approximate optimal solution within certain error bound, unless P = NP. This provides a lower bound for the approximation error of any deterministic polynomial-time algorithm. Applying the complexity result to sparse … Read more

Robust constrained shortest path problems under budgeted uncertainty

We study the robust constrained shortest path problem under resource uncertainty. After proving that the problem is \NPhard in the strong sense for arbitrary uncertainty sets, we focus on budgeted uncertainty sets introduced by Bertsimas and Sim (2003) and their extension to variable uncertainty by Poss (2013). We apply classical techniques to show that the … Read more

NP-hardness of Deciding Convexity of Quartic Polynomials and Related Problems

We show that unless P=NP, there exists no polynomial time (or even pseudo-polynomial time) algorithm that can decide whether a multivariate polynomial of degree four (or higher even degree) is globally convex. This solves a problem that has been open since 1992 when N. Z. Shor asked for the complexity of deciding convexity for quartic … Read more

A Note on Complexity of Traveling Tournament Problem

Sports league scheduling problems have gained considerable amount of attention in recent years due to its huge applications and challenges. Traveling Tournament problem, proposed by Trick et. al. (2001), is a problem of scheduling round robin leagues which minimizes the total travel distance maintaining some constraints on consecutive home and away matches. No good algorithm … Read more

The wireless network jamming problem

In adversarial environments, disabling the communication capabilities of the enemy is a high priority. We introduce the problem of determining the optimal number and locations for a set of jamming devices in order to neutralize a wireless communication network. This problem is known as the WIRELESS NETWORK JAMMING PROBLEM. We develop several mathematical programming formulations … Read more

A Simple Clique Camouflaging Against Greedy Maximum Clique Heuristics

Taking a small graph, on which the randomized New-Best-In maximum clique heuristic fails to find the maximum clique, we construct on its basis a class of graphs exemplifying the inefficiency of SM greedy heuristics considered by Brockington and Culberson. We show that a 7(k+1)-vertex graph from this class is enough to provide a counterexample for … Read more

An (n-2)-dimensional Quadratic Surface Determining All Cliques and a Least Square Formulation for the Maximum Clique Problem

Arranging an n-vertex graph as the standard simplex in R^n, we identify graph cliques with simplex faces formed by clique vertices. An unstrict quadratic inequality holds for all points of the simplex; it turns to equality if and only if the point is on a face corresponding to a clique. This way this equality determines … Read more

A New Trust Region Technique for the Maximum Weight Clique Problem

A new simple generalization of the Motzkin-Straus theorem for the maximum weight clique problem is formulated and directly proved. Within this framework a new trust region heuristic is developed. In contrast to usual trust region methods, it regards not only the global optimum of a quadratic objective over a sphere, but also a set of … Read more