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algorithms

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Aerial view of a complicated interchange full of flowing traffic
networks

Researchers Achieve ‘Absurdly Fast’ Algorithm for Network Flow

By Erica Klarreich
June 8, 2022
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Computer scientists can now solve a decades-old problem in practically the time it takes to write it down.

computational complexity

How Computer Scientists Learned to Reinvent the Proof

By Mordechai Rorvig
May 23, 2022
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Why verify every line of a proof, when just a few checks will do?

Illustration of an ornate balance demonstrating that the expression x2 + 2x + 1 weighs more than the equivalent expression (x + 1)(x + 1)
computational complexity

Computer Scientists Prove That Certain Problems Are Truly Hard

By Mordechai Rorvig
May 11, 2022
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Finding out whether a question is too difficult to ever solve efficiently depends on figuring out just how hard it is. Researchers have now shown how to do that for a major class of problems.

Illustration of pieces of paper with scientific images on them feeding into a machine. A human hand turns a crank, and equations come out of the machine.
algorithms

Powerful ‘Machine Scientists’ Distill the Laws of Physics From Raw Data

By Charlie Wood
May 10, 2022
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Researchers say we’re on the cusp of “GoPro physics,” where a camera can point at an event and an algorithm can identify the underlying physics equation.

An illustration of a locomotive pulling train cars, with math symbols piled in the caboose.
computational complexity

Computer Scientists Eliminate Pesky Quantum Computations

By Nick Thieme
January 19, 2022
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For years, intermediate measurements made it hard to quantify the complexity of quantum algorithms. New work establishes that those measurements aren’t necessary after all.

Orange spheres representing quantum bits.
explainers

How Quantum Computers Will Correct Their Errors

By Katie McCormick
November 16, 2021
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Quantum bits are fussy and fragile. Useful quantum computers will need to use an error-correction technique like the one that was recently demonstrated on a real machine.

A graphic of global air travel.
polynomials

Surprising Limits Discovered in Quest for Optimal Solutions

By Max G. Levy
November 1, 2021
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Algorithms that zero in on solutions to optimization problems are the beating heart of machine reasoning. New results reveal surprising limits.

A GIF of a fluctuating plane with a ball rolling over its peaks and valleys and then off the screen.
computational complexity

Computer Scientists Discover Limits of Major Research Algorithm

By Nick Thieme
August 17, 2021
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The most widely used technique for finding the largest or smallest values of a math function turns out to be a fundamentally difficult computational problem.

A close-up, head-on portrait of computer scientist Rediet Abebe.
Q&A

A Computer Scientist Who Tackles Inequality Through Algorithms

By Rachel Crowell
April 1, 2021
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Rediet Abebe uses the tools of theoretical computer science to understand pressing social problems — and try to fix them.


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