We give a general complexity classification scheme for monotone computation, including monotone space-bounded and Turing machine models not previously considered. We propose monotone complexity classes including mAC i , mNC i , mLOGCFL, mBWBP , mL, mNL, mP , mBPP and mNP . We define a simple notion of monotone reducibility and exhibit complete problems. This provides a framework for stating existing results and asking new questions. We show that mNL (monotone nondeterministic log-space) is not closed under complementation, in contrast to Immerman's and Szelepcs 'enyi's nonmonotone result [Imm88, Sze87] that NL = co-NL; this is a simple extension of the monotone circuit depth lower bound of Karchmer and Wigderson [KW90] for st-connectivity. We also consider mBWBP (monotone bounded width branching programs) and study the question of whether mBWBP is properly contained in mNC 1 , motivated by Barrington's result [Bar89] that BWBP = NC 1 . Although we cannot answer t...

We give improved lower bounds for the size of small depth circuits computing several functions. In particular we prove almost optimal lower bounds for the size of parity circuits. Fur-ther we show that there are functions computable in polynomial size and depth k but requires ex-ponential size when the depth is restricted to k-1. Our main lemma which is of independent interest states that by using a random restriction we can convert an AND of small ORs to an OR of small ANDs and conversely.

This is the nineteenth edition of a (usually) quarterly column that covers new developments in the theory of NP-completeness. The presentation is modeled on that used by M. R. Garey and myself in our book ‘‘Computers and Intractability: A Guide to the Theory of NP-Completeness,’ ’ W. H. Freeman & Co., New York, 1979 (hereinafter referred to as ‘‘[G&J]’’; previous columns will be referred to by their dates). A background equivalent to that provided by [G&J] is assumed, and, when appropriate, cross-references will be given to that book and the list of problems (NP-complete and harder) presented there. Readers who have results they would like mentioned (NP-hardness, PSPACE-hardness, polynomial-time-solvability, etc.) or open problems they would like publicized, should

The contribution of this paper is two-fold. First, a connection is shown between approximating the size of the largest clique in a graph and multi-prover interactive proofs. Second, an efficient multi-prover interactive proof for NP languages is constructed, where the verifier uses very few random bits and communication bits. Last, the connection between cliques and efficient multiprover interactive proofs, is shown to yield hardness results on the complexity of approximating the size of the largest clique in a graph. Of independent interest is our proof of correctness for the multilinearity test of functions. 1

We prove an exponential lower bound on the length of cutting plane proofs. The proof uses an extension of a lower bound for monotone circuits to circuits which compute with real numbers and use nondecreasing functions as gates. The latter result is of independent interest, since, in particular, it implies an exponential lower bound for some arithmetic circuits.

Abstract. Weinvestigate the power of threshold circuits of small depth. In particular, we give functions that require exponential size unweighted threshold circuits of depth 3 when we restrict the bottom fanin. We also prove that there are monotone functions fk that can be computed in depth k and linear size ^ � _-circuits but require exponential size to compute by a depth k; 1 monotone weighted threshold circuit. Key words. Circuit complexity, monotone circuits, threshold circuits, lower bounds Subject classi cations. 68Q15, 68Q99 1.

this paper, we consider circuits of bounded depth in the basis f; \Phig.

A proof of the (propositional) Craig interpolation theorem for cut-free sequent calculus yields that a sequent with a cut-free proof (or with a proof with cut-formulas of restricted form; in particular, with only analytic cuts) with k inferences has an interpolant whose circuit-size is at most k. We give a new proof of the interpolation theorem based on a communication complexity approach which allows a similar estimate for a larger class of proofs. We derive from it several corollaries: 1. Feasible interpolation theorems for the following proof systems: (a) resolution. (b) a subsystem of LK corresponding to the bounded arithmetic theory S 2 2 (ff). (c) linear equational calculus. (d) cutting planes. 2. New proofs of the exponential lower bounds (for new formulas) (a) for resolution ([15]). (b) for the cutting planes proof system with coefficients written in unary ([4]). 3. An alternative proof of the independence result of [43] concerning the provability of circuit-size lower bounds ...

We consider small-weight Cutting Planes (CP ) proofs; that is, Cutting Planes (CP ) proofs with coefficients up to P oly(n). We use the well known lower bounds for monotone complexity to prove an exponential lower bound for the length of CP proofs, for a family of tautologies based on the clique function. Because Resolution is a special case of smallweight CP , our method also gives a new and simpler exponential lower bound for Resolution. We also prove the following two theorems : (1) Tree-like CP proofs cannot polynomially simulate non-tree-like CP proofs. (2) Tree-like CP proofs and Bounded-depth-Frege proofs cannot polynomially simulate each other. Our proofs also work for some generalizations of the CP proof system. In particular, they work for CP with a deduction rule, and also for proof systems that allow any formula with small communication complexity, and any set of sound rules of inference. 1 Introduction One of the most fundamental questions in pro...

We prove that monotone circuits computing the perfect matching function on n-vertex graphs require\Omega\Gamma n) depth. This implies an exponential gap between the depth of monotone and nonmonotone circuits.