On Sat, 4 Nov 2000, Declan McCullagh wrote:
"NP" problems, on the other hand, are those that can be solved in nondeterministic polynomial time (think only by guessing). NP includes P.
Actualy any time that can't be described using a polynomial (i.e. a0 + a1x + a2x^2 + ...) is NP. For example something that executes in factorial or exponential time is NP. If it is found that all NP can be reduced to P then I'd expect to see somebody be able to express a factorial (for example) as a polynomial. I ain't holding my breath. The 'nondeterministic' part simply means it's unknown if the problem can be reduced to a polynomial representation. As to 'guessing', some processes are polynomial and some aren't. ____________________________________________________________________ He is able who thinks he is able. Buddha The Armadillo Group ,::////;::-. James Choate Austin, Tx /:'///// ``::>/|/ ravage@ssz.com www.ssz.com .', |||| `/( e\ 512-451-7087 -====~~mm-'`-```-mm --'- --------------------------------------------------------------------