A feasible interpolation for random resolution

Random resolution, defined by Buss, Kolodziejczyk and Thapen (JSL, 2014), is a sound propositional proof system that extends the resolution proof system by the possibility to augment any set of initial clauses by a set of randomly chosen clauses (modulo a technical condition). We show how to apply the general feasible interpolation theorem for semantic derivations of Krajicek (JSL, 1997) to random resolution. As a consequence we get a lower bound for random resolution refutations of the clique-coloring formulas.Comment: Preprint April 2016, revised September and October 201

Automating Resolution is NP-Hard

We show that the problem of finding a Resolution refutation that is at most polynomially longer than a shortest one is NP-hard. In the parlance of proof complexity, Resolution is not automatizable unless P = NP. Indeed, we show it is NP-hard to distinguish between formulas that have Resolution refutations of polynomial length and those that do not have subexponential length refutations. This also implies that Resolution is not automatizable in subexponential time or quasi-polynomial time unless NP is included in SUBEXP or QP, respectively

Mathematical Logic: Proof Theory, Constructive Mathematics

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A Complexity Gap for Tree-Resolution

It is shown that any sequence  psi_n of tautologies which expresses thevalidity of a fixed combinatorial principle either is "easy" i.e. has polynomialsize tree-resolution proofs or is "difficult" i.e requires exponentialsize tree-resolution proofs. It is shown that the class of tautologies whichare hard (for tree-resolution) is identical to the class of tautologies whichare based on combinatorial principles which are violated for infinite sets.Actually it is shown that the gap-phenomena is valid for tautologies basedon infinite mathematical theories (i.e. not just based on a single proposition).We clarify the link between translating combinatorial principles (ormore general statements from predicate logic) and the recent idea of using the symmetrical group to generate problems of propositional logic.Finally, we show that it is undecidable whether a sequence  psi_n (of thekind we consider) has polynomial size tree-resolution proofs or requiresexponential size tree-resolution proofs. Also we show that the degree ofthe polynomial in the polynomial size (in case it exists) is non-recursive,but semi-decidable.Keywords: Logical aspects of Complexity, Propositional proof complexity,Resolution proofs.

Interpolant-Based Transition Relation Approximation

In predicate abstraction, exact image computation is problematic, requiring in the worst case an exponential number of calls to a decision procedure. For this reason, software model checkers typically use a weak approximation of the image. This can result in a failure to prove a property, even given an adequate set of predicates. We present an interpolant-based method for strengthening the abstract transition relation in case of such failures. This approach guarantees convergence given an adequate set of predicates, without requiring an exact image computation. We show empirically that the method converges more rapidly than an earlier method based on counterexample analysis.Comment: Conference Version at CAV 2005. 17 Pages, 9 Figure