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Approximation Algorithms

Technique

Approximation algorithms are, in computer science and operations research, efficient algorithms that find approximate solutions to optimization problems, in particular NP-hard problems, with provable guarantees on the distance of the returned solution to the optimal one. They arise naturally in theoretical computer science as a consequence of the widely believed conjecture that P does not equal NP, under which a wide class of optimization problems cannot be solved exactly in polynomial time. The field tries to understand how closely optimal solutions can be approximated in polynomial time, and in an overwhelming majority of cases the guarantee is a multiplicative one expressed as an approximation ratio or approximation factor. Algorithms recorded in this atlas are grouped here when their design technique is approximation.

Connections

In Field

Technique Used By

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

APX, Algorithms

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Coreset, Algorithms

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the design-technique enum value this algorithm already carries, resolved to a computing concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The design-technique fact itself stays on the algorithm unchanged.

Sources
Wikipedia: Approximation algorithm
Wikipedia, lead section
Quote, Wikipedia, lead section
approximation algorithms are efficient algorithms that find approximate solutions to optimization problems (in particular NP-hard problems) with provable guarantees on the distance of the returned solution to the optimal one.
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