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A minimum spanning tree of a weighted planar graph.Finding a minimum spanning tree is a common problem involving combinatorial optimization. Combinatorial optimization is a subfield of mathematical optimization that consists of finding an optimal object from a finite set of objects, [1] where the set of feasible solutions is discrete or can be reduced to a discrete set.
Classic combinatorial search problems include solving the eight queens puzzle or evaluating moves in games with a large game tree, such as reversi or chess. A study of computational complexity theory helps to motivate combinatorial search. Combinatorial search algorithms are typically concerned with problems that are NP-hard. Such problems are ...
If, for example, there are two balls and three bins, then the number of ways of placing the balls is (+) = =. The table shows the six possible ways of distributing the two balls, the strings of stars and bars that represent them (with stars indicating balls and bars separating bins from one another), and the subsets that correspond to the strings.
Combinatorics is an area of mathematics primarily concerned with counting, both as a means and as an end to obtaining results, and certain properties of finite structures.It is closely related to many other areas of mathematics and has many applications ranging from logic to statistical physics and from evolutionary biology to computer science.
One example in a game where combinatorial complexity leads to a solvability limit is in solving chess (a game with 64 squares and 32 pieces). Chess is not a solved game . In 2005 all chess game endings with six pieces or fewer were solved, showing the result of each position if played perfectly.
The problem for graphs is NP-complete if the edge lengths are assumed integers. The problem for points on the plane is NP-complete with the discretized Euclidean metric and rectilinear metric. The problem is known to be NP-hard with the (non-discretized) Euclidean metric. [3]: ND22, ND23
Constraint satisfaction problems (CSPs) are mathematical questions defined as a set of objects whose state must satisfy a number of constraints or limitations. CSPs represent the entities in a problem as a homogeneous collection of finite constraints over variables , which is solved by constraint satisfaction methods.
Combinatorial modelling is the process which lets us identify a suitable mathematical model to reformulate a problem. These combinatorial models will provide, through the combinatorics theory, the operations needed to solve the problem.