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Approximation Algorithms
Vijay V. Vazirani Manufacturer: Springer ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
Accessories:
ASIN: 3540653678 |
Book Description
This book covers the dominant theoretical approaches to the approximate solution of hard combinatorial optimization and enumeration problems. It contains elegant combinatorial theory, useful and interesting algorithms, and deep results about the intrinsic complexity of combinatorial problems. Its clarity of exposition and excellent selection of exercises will make it accessible and appealing to all those with a taste for mathematics and algorithms.
Richard Karp,University Professor, University of California at Berkeley
Following the development of basic combinatorial optimization techniques in the 1960s and 1970s, a main open question was to develop a theory of approximation algorithms. In the 1990s, parallel developments in techniques for designing approximation algorithms as well as methods for proving hardness of approximation results have led to a beautiful theory. The need to solve truly large instances of computationally hard problems, such as those arising from the Internet or the human genome project, has also increased interest in this theory. The field is currently very active, with the toolbox of approximation algorithm design techniques getting always richer.
It is a pleasure to recommend Vijay Vazirani's well-written and comprehensive book on this important and timely topic. I am sure the reader will find it most useful both as an introduction to approximability as well as a reference to the many aspects of approximation algorithms.
László Lovász, Senior Researcher, Microsoft Research
Customer Reviews:
a wide variety of topics.......2006-11-07
Very nice introduction.......2006-05-20
Short and Sweet.......2006-03-13
Much needed desktop reference for anyone working with algorithms, networking protocols, optimization.......2006-03-09
Only for graduate level - very good.......2005-11-22
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Approximation Algorithms for NP-Hard Problems
Manufacturer: Course Technology ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 0534949681 |
Book Description
This is the first book to fully address the study of approximation algorithms as a tool for coping with intractable problems. With chapters contributed by leading researchers in the field, this book introduces unifying techniques in the analysis of approximation algorithms.Customer Reviews:
A good survey on approximation algorithms.......2000-05-09
Many of these developments are due to Mathemtical programming (primal dual, semidefinite programming et al). The most exciting of these has been the Goemans and Williamson algorithm for MAX CUT and MAX SAT. A good account of these techniques appears in Chapters 4 and 11.
On the other hand a sequence of unexpected results in complexity culminated in a proof that many of these problems cannot have polynomial approximation algorithms unless P=NP. A good survey of "Hardness of Approximations" appears in Chapter 10, written by Sanjeev Arora and Carsten Lund both of whom were responsible for some original developments in this field.
I am going to purchase a copy of this book and can only strongly recommend it to everyone.
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Introduction to Stochastic Search and Optimization
James C. Spall Manufacturer: Wiley-Interscience ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 0471330523 |
Book Description
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Customer Reviews:
Great book!!!.......2004-12-07
Recommended to scholars and graduate students.......2003-09-23
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Spectral Methods: Fundamentals in Single Domains (Scientific Computation)
C. Canuto , M.Y. Hussaini , A. Quarteroni , and T.A. Zang Manufacturer: Springer ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
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ASIN: 3540307257 |
Book Description
Since the publication of "Spectral Methods in Fluid Dynamics", spectral methods, particularly in their multidomain version, have become firmly established as a mainstream tool for scientific and engineering computation. While retaining the tight integration between the theoretical and practical aspects of spectral methods that was the hallmark of the earlier book, Canuto et al. now incorporate the many improvements in the algorithms and the theory of spectral methods that have been made since 1988. The initial treatment Fundamentals in Single Domains discusses the fundamentals of the approximation of solutions to ordinary and partial differential equations on single domains by expansions in smooth, global basis functions. The first half of the book provides the algorithmic details of orthogonal expansions, transform methods, spectral discretization of differential equations plus their boundary conditions, and solution of the discretized equations by direct and iterative methods. The second half furnishes a comprehensive discussion of the mathematical theory of spectral methods on single domains, including approximation theory, stability and convergence, and illustrative applications of the theory to model boundary-value problems. Both the algorithmic and theoretical discussions cover spectral methods on tensor-product domains, triangles and tetrahedra. All chapters are enhanced with material on the Galerkin with numerical integration version of spectral methods. The discussion of direct and iterative solution methods is greatly expanded as are the set of numerical examples that illustrate the key properties of the various types of spectral approximations and the solution algorithms.
A companion book "Evolution to Complex Geometries and Applications to Fluid Dynamics" contains an extensive survey of the essential algorithmic and theoretical aspects of spectral methods for complex geometries and provides detailed discussions of spectral algorithms for fluid dynamics in simple and complex geometries.
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Algorithms for Minimization Without Derivatives
Richard P. Brent Manufacturer: Dover Publications ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: 0486419983 |
Book Description
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Handbook of Approximation Algorithms and Metaheuristics (Chapman & Hall/Crc Computer and Information Science Series)
Manufacturer: Chapman & Hall/CRC ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: 1584885505 |
Book Description
Delineating the tremendous growth in this area, the Handbook of Approximation Algorithms and Metaheuristics covers fundamental, theoretical topics as well as advanced, practical applications. It is the first book to comprehensively study both approximation algorithms and metaheuristics. Starting with basic approaches, the handbook presents the methodologies to design and analyze efficient approximation algorithms for a large class of problems, and to establish inapproximability results for another class of problems. It also discusses local search, neural networks, and metaheuristics, as well as multiobjective problems, sensitivity analysis, and stability. After laying this foundation, the book applies the methodologies to classical problems in combinatorial optimization, computational geometry, and graph problems. In addition, it explores large-scale and emerging applications in networks, bioinformatics, VLSI, game theory, and data analysis. Undoubtedly sparking further developments in the field, this handbook provides the essential techniques to apply approximation algorithms and metaheuristics to a wide range of problems in computer science, operations research, computer engineering, and economics. Armed with this information, researchers can design and analyze efficient algorithms to generate near-optimal solutions for a wide range of computational intractable problems.
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Complexity and Approximation: Combinatorial Optimization Problems and Their Approximability Properties
G. Ausiello , P. Crescenzi , V. Kann , Marchetti-sp , Giorgio Gambosi , and Alberto M. Spaccamela Manufacturer: Springer ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 3540654313 |
Book Description
This book is an up-to-date documentation of the state of the art in combinatorial optimization, presenting approximate solutions of virtually all relevant classes of NP-hard optimization problems. The well-structured wealth of problems, algorithms, results, and techniques introduced systematically will make the book an indispensible source of reference for professionals. The smooth integration of numerous illustrations, examples, and exercises make this monograph an ideal textbook.Customer Reviews:
Complexity book.......2007-08-24
A great sequel to Garey and Johnson.......2001-03-30
Developing approximation algorithms for NP hard problems is now a very active field in Mathematical Programming and Theoretical Computer Science. There have been a number of exciting developments like semidefinite programming , the Goemans Williamson algorithm for max cut et al.
On the other hand, from a theoretical computer science point of view, we now have a proof that many of these problems cannot have polynomial approximation algorithms unless P=NP.
This book provides an excellent introduction to both areas. A worthy supplement to Garey and Johnson, Papadimitriou's books on combinatorial optimisation and computational complexity, Hochbaum's book on approximation algorithms, Alon and Spencer's book on the probabilistic method and finally Motwani and Raghavan's book on randomised algorithms.
A great sequel to Garey and Johnson.......2001-03-30
Developing approximation algorithms for NP hard problems is now a very active field in Mathematical Programming and Theoretical Computer Science. There have been a number of exciting developments like semidefinite programming , the Goemans Williamson algorithm for max cut et al.
On the other hand, from a theoretical computer science point of view, we now have a proof that many of these problems cannot have polynomial approximation algorithms unless P=NP.
This book provides an excellent introduction to both areas. A worthy supplement to Garey and Johnson, Papadimitriou's books on combinatorial optimisation and computational complexity, Hochbaum's book on approximation algorithms, Alon and Spencer's book on the probabilistic method and finally Motwani and Raghavan's book on randomised algorithms.
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Algorithms on Trees and Graphs
Gabriel Valiente Manufacturer: Springer ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items: Accessories:
ASIN: 3540435506 |
Book Description
Graph algorithms is a well-established subject in mathematics and computer science. Beyond classical application fields, like approximation, combinatorial optimization, graphics, and operations research, graph algorithms have recently attracted increased attention from computational molecular biology and computational chemistry. Centered around the fundamental issue of graph isomorphism, this text goes beyond classical graph problems of shortest paths, spanning trees, flows in networks, and matchings in bipartite graphs. Advanced algorithmic results and techniques of practical relevance are presented in a coherent and consolidated way. This book introduces graph algorithms on an intuitive basis followed by a detailed exposition in a literate programming style, with correctness proofs as well as worst-case analyses. Furthermore, full C++ implementations of all algorithms presented are given using the LEDA library of efficient data structures and algorithms. Numerous illustrations, examples, and exercises, and a comprehensive bibliography support students and professionals in using the book as a text and source of reference
Customer Reviews:
Intersting Studies Hampered by LEDA and LP Dependencies.......2003-12-24
These topics alone made the book worth its to me. A deep academic book that costs less than $50 is nearly unheared-of.
Unfortunately, there are two flaws that make the book hard to use. In a nutshell, the author expects the reader to buy into a couple of pretty invasive and expensive propositions.
First, the author decided to use literate programming for all of his presented algorithms and code fragments. This isn't so bad, since literate programming is about documenting code. If you suppose that the author wrote the code, then documented it, then calld it a book, using a tool like literate programming seems like a natural choice.
But if you're not familiar with literate programming, it's a bit of a chore. The author's introduction to literate programming doesn't help with some of the questions even an experienced programmer might have wend reading the text. More practically, literate programming enforces operators that are different than most C/C++ developers are familiar with, and can cause confusion when reading the text. ^ is used, for example, to indicate a logical and, where C/C++ developers expect it to indicate a bitwise-exclusive or.
While it's esay to eventually overcome such tricks of memory, I've been finding it hard to scan literate programs to find definitions and declarations. The author doesn't include a CD (and at this cover price, that is hard to fault) but also doesn't make his code available for download. His website includes a LEDA-based program that interactively demonstrates some algorithms, but doesn't include code for the algorithm his own books develops and discusses.
The other decision made by the author, to the overwhelming inconvenience of this reader, is the reliance on the LEDA library for his samples and programs. The algorithms are understandable without the library, but a reader without access to LEDA doesn't benefit from any of the visualizations the author provides. , and several include
In fact, the author spends about 40 pages discussing LEDA and the characteristics of its implementation. Maybe researchers working on tree and graph algorithms all use LEDA and have ready access to it, but the literate programming code provided to for some of the algorithms isn't useful to readers who aren't familiar with LEDA, as researching the definitions and declarations themsleves becomes arduous.
The bibliography is very diverse, with more than 380 entries and is well-cited throughout the book. Unfortunately, the author sometimes relies on the bibliography too much. On page 392, the author brings up "the so-called graph isopomorphism disease" without defining it himself; he instead relies on his bibliography entries to give the user any definition or background on the "disease".
Unfortunately, the index received not nearly as much attention as the bibliography; neglecting whitespace, it's scarcely more than a single page long!
The book appears to be something more than a research paper, but is written much like a research apper would be. The book probably also serves well for a class that teaches this subject, and assumes LEDA and literate programming as prerequisites. But as a commercial developer who's interested in applying advanced graph and tree algorithms to the work I'm doing, I found the book has limited its value by relying on LEDA and applying literate programming.
All this said, I still feel it's appropriate to give the book four stars. The material covered is hard to find elsewhere, and with some effort I can overcome the LEDA and literate programming hurdles. Since I don't use LEDA or literate programming day-to-day, I'll have to overcome that unfamiliarity every time I pick up the book as a reference.
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Stochastic Approximation and Recursive Algorithms and Applications (Stochastic Modelling and Applied Probability)
Harold J. Kushner , and G. George Yin Manufacturer: Springer ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 0387008942 |
Book Description
The book presents a thorough development of the modern theory of stochastic approximation or recursive stochastic algorithms for both constrained and unconstrained problems. There is a complete development of both probability one and weak convergence methods for very general noise processes. The proofs of convergence use the ODE method, the most powerful to date, with which the asymptotic behavior is characterized by the limit behavior of a mean ODE. The assumptions and proof methods are designed to cover the needs of recent applications. The development proceeds from simple to complex problems, allowing the underlying ideas to be more easily understood. Rate of convergence, iterate averaging, high-dimensional problems, stability-ODE methods, two time scale, asynchronous and decentralized algorithms, general correlated and state-dependent noise, perturbed test function methods, and large devitations methods, are covered. Many motivational examples from learning theory, ergodic cost problems for discrete event systems, wireless communications, adaptive control, signal processing, and elsewhere, illustrate the application of the theory. This second edition is a thorough revision, although the main features and the structure remain unchanged. It contains many additional applications and results, and more detailed discussion. Harold J. Kushner is a University Professor and Professor of Applied Mathematics at Brown University. He has written numerous books and articles on virtually all aspects of stochastic systems theory, and has received various awards including the IEEE Control Systems Field Award.
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Algorithm Engineering: 4th International Workshop, WAE 2000 Saarbrücken, Germany, September 5-8, 2000 Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science)
Manufacturer: Springer ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: 3540425128 |
Book Description
This book constitutes the thoroughly refereed post-proceedings of the 4th International Workshop on Algorithm Engineering, WAE 2000, held in Saarbrücken, Germany in September 2000. The 19 revised full papers presented together with one invited paper were carefully reviewed and selected from a total of 30 submissions. Among the topics addressed are software repositories allowing for the use and experimentation with efficient discrete algorithms; novel uses of discrete algorithms; methodological issues on algorithms and data structures; and methodological issues on converting user requirements into efficient algorithmic and implementation solutions.Books:
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