
arXiv: 1311.5935
We show that the Simplex Method, the Network Simplex Method—both with Dantzig’s original pivot rule—and the Successive Shortest Path Algorithm are NP-mighty . That is, each of these algorithms can be used to solve, with polynomial overhead, any problem in NP implicitly during the algorithm’s execution. This result casts a more favorable light on these algorithms’ exponential worst-case running times. Furthermore, as a consequence of our approach, we obtain several novel hardness results. For example, for a given input to the Simplex Algorithm, deciding whether a given variable ever enters the basis during the algorithm’s execution and determining the number of iterations needed are both NP-hard problems. Finally, we close a long-standing open problem in the area of network flows over time by showing that earliest arrival flows are NP-hard to obtain.
FOS: Computer and information sciences, Discrete Mathematics (cs.DM), G.1.6, G.2.2, Computational Complexity (cs.CC), F.2.2; G.1.6; G.2.2, Computer Science - Computational Complexity, Computer Science - Data Structures and Algorithms, FOS: Mathematics, Mathematics - Combinatorics, Data Structures and Algorithms (cs.DS), 90C05, 05C21, Combinatorics (math.CO), F.2.2, Computer Science - Discrete Mathematics
FOS: Computer and information sciences, Discrete Mathematics (cs.DM), G.1.6, G.2.2, Computational Complexity (cs.CC), F.2.2; G.1.6; G.2.2, Computer Science - Computational Complexity, Computer Science - Data Structures and Algorithms, FOS: Mathematics, Mathematics - Combinatorics, Data Structures and Algorithms (cs.DS), 90C05, 05C21, Combinatorics (math.CO), F.2.2, Computer Science - Discrete Mathematics
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