decision problem

<logic> A problem with a yes/no answer. Determining whether some potential solution to a question is actually a solution or not. E.g. "Is 43669" a prime number?". This is in contrast to a "search problem" which must find a solution from scratch, e.g. "What is the millionth prime number?".

See decidability.

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<2001-03-16>

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decision procedure

<logic, philosophy of science, information theory> an algorithm by means of which to establish, in a finite number of steps, whether a statement form is tautologous or whether an argument form is valid. Drawing Venn diagrams provides a decision procedure for a modern interpretation of categorical logic, and truth-tables give a decision procedure for the propositional calculus, but there is no decision procedure for quantification theory.

[A Dictionary of Philosophical Terms and Names]

<2001-11-13>

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Nearby terms: decidable wff « decidibility « decision problem « decision procedure » decision theory » deconstruction » Dedekind J.W. Richard

decision theory

<probability> A branch of statistics concerning strategies for decision making in non-deterministic systems. Decision theory seeks to find strategies that maximise the expected value of a utility function measuring the desirability of possible outcomes.

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<2001-03-16>

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