A First Complete Algorithm for Real Quantifier Elimination in Isabelle/HOL

We formalize a multivariate quantifier elimination (QE) algorithm in the theorem prover Isabelle/HOL. Our algorithm is complete, in that it is able to reduce any quantified formula in the first-order logic of real arithmetic to a logically equivalent quantifier-free formula. The algorithm we formalize is a hybrid mixture of Tarski's original QE algorithm and the Ben-Or, Kozen, and Reif algorithm, and it is the first complete multivariate QE algorithm formalized in Isabelle/HOL

Towards justifying computer algebra algorithms in Isabelle/HOL

As verification efforts using interactive theorem proving grow, we are in need of certified algorithms in computer algebra to tackle problems over the real numbers. This is important because uncertified procedures can drastically increase the size of the trust base and under- mine the overall confidence established by interactive theorem provers, which usually rely on a small kernel to ensure the soundness of derived results. This thesis describes an ongoing effort using the Isabelle theorem prover to certify the cylindrical algebraic decomposition (CAD) algorithm, which has been widely implemented to solve non-linear problems in various engineering and mathematical fields. Because of the sophistication of this algorithm, people are in doubt of the correctness of its implementation when deploying it to safety-critical verification projects, and such doubts motivate this thesis. In particular, this thesis proposes a library of real algebraic numbers, whose distinguishing features include a modular architecture and a sign determination algorithm requiring only rational arithmetic. With this library, an Isabelle tactic based on univariate CAD has been built in a certificate-based way: external, untrusted code delivers solutions in the form of certificates that are checked within Isabelle. To lay the foundation for the multivariate case, I have formalised various analytical results including Cauchy’s residue theorem and the bivariate case of the projection theorem of CAD. During this process, I have also built a tactic to evaluate winding numbers through Cauchy indices and verified procedures to count complex roots in some domains. The formalisation effort in this thesis can be considered as the first step towards a certified computer algebra system inside a theorem prover, so that various engineering projections and mathematical calculations can be carried out in a high-confidence framework

A modular, efficient formalisation of real algebraic numbers

This paper presents a construction of the real algebraic numbers with executable arithmetic operations in Isabelle/HOL. Instead of verified resultants, arithmetic operations on real algebraic numbers are based on a decision procedure to decide the sign of a bivariate polynomial (with rational coefficients) at a real algebraic point. The modular design allows the safe use of fast external code. This work can be the basis for decision procedures that rely on real algebraic numbers.The CSC Cambridge International Scholarship is generously funding Wenda Li’s Ph.D. course.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the Association for Computing Machinery via http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/2854065.285407

Decidability of Univariate Real Algebra with Predicates for Rational and Integer Powers

We prove decidability of univariate real algebra extended with predicates for rational and integer powers, i.e., $(x^n \in \mathbb{Q})$ and $(x^n \in \mathbb{Z})$. Our decision procedure combines computation over real algebraic cells with the rational root theorem and witness construction via algebraic number density arguments.Comment: To appear in CADE-25: 25th International Conference on Automated Deduction, 2015. Proceedings to be published by Springer-Verla

Counting polynomial roots in Isabelle/HOL: A formal proof of the Budan-Fourier theorem

Many problems in computer algebra and numerical analysis can be reduced to counting or approximating the real roots of a polynomial within an interval. Existing verified root-counting procedures in major proof assistants are mainly based on the classical Sturm theorem, which only counts distinct roots. In this paper, we have strengthened the root-counting ability in Isabelle/HOL by first formally proving the Budan-Fourier theorem. Subsequently, based on Descartes' rule of signs and Taylor shift, we have provided a verified procedure to efficiently over-approximate the number of real roots within an interval, counting multiplicity. For counting multiple roots exactly, we have extended our previous formalisation of Sturm's theorem. Finally, we combine verified components in the developments above to improve our previous certified complex-root-counting procedures based on Cauchy indices. We believe those verified routines will be crucial for certifying programs and building tactics.ERC Advanced Grant ALEXANDRIA (Project 742178

A Decision Procedure for Univariate Polynomial Systems Based on Root Counting and Interval Subdivision

This paper presents a formally verified decision procedure for determining the satisfiability of a system of univariate polynomial relations over the real line. The procedure combines a root counting function, based on Sturm's theorem, with an interval subdivision algorithm. Given a system of polynomial relations over the same variable, the decision procedure progressively subdivides the real interval into smaller intervals. The subdivision continues until the satisfiability of the system can be determined on each subinterval using Sturm's theorem on a subset of the system's polynomials. The decision procedure has been formally verified in the Prototype Verification System (PVS). In PVS, the decision procedure is specified as a computable Boolean function on a deep embedding of polynomial relations. This function is used to define a proof producing strategy for automatically proving existential and universal statements on polynomial systems. The soundness of the strategy solely depends on the internal logic of PVS

Dandelion: Certified Approximations of Elementary Functions

Elementary function operations such as sin and exp cannot in general be computed exactly on today's digital computers, and thus have to be approximated. The standard approximations in library functions typically provide only a limited set of precisions, and are too inefficient for many applications. Polynomial approximations that are customized to a limited input domain and output accuracy can provide superior performance. In fact, the Remez algorithm computes the best possible approximation for a given polynomial degree, but has so far not been formally verified. This paper presents Dandelion, an automated certificate checker for polynomial approximations of elementary functions computed with Remez-like algorithms that is fully verified in the HOL4 theorem prover. Dandelion checks whether the difference between a polynomial approximation and its target reference elementary function remains below a given error bound for all inputs in a given constraint. By extracting a verified binary with the CakeML compiler, Dandelion can validate certificates within a reasonable time, fully automating previous manually verified approximations