Lesson plan
Binary constraint
A binary constraint, in mathematical optimization, is a constraint that involves exactly two variables. For example, consider the n-queens problem, where the goal is to place n chess queens on an n-by-n chessboard such that none of the queens can attack each other (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally). The formal set of constraints are therefore "Queen 1 can't attack Queen 2", "Queen 1 can't attack Queen 3", and so on between all pairs of queens. Each constraint in this problem is binary, in that it only considers the placement of two individual queens. Linear programs in which all constraints are binary can be solved in strongly polynomial time, a result that is not known to be true for more general linear programs.
Article summary
A binary constraint, in mathematical optimization, is a constraint that involves exactly two variables. For example, consider the n-queens problem, where the goal is to place n chess queens on an n-by-n chessboard such that none of the queens can attack each other (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally). The formal set of constraints are therefore "Queen 1 can't attack Queen 2", "Queen 1 can't attack Queen 3", and so on between all pairs of queens. Each constraint in this problem is binary, in that it only considers the placement of two individual queens. Linear programs in which all constraints are binary can be solved in strongly polynomial time, a result that is not known to be true for more general linear programs.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.