Abstract

Polynomial-time approximation algorithms with non-trivial performance guarantees are presented for the problems of (a) partitioning the vertices of a weighted graph into k blocks so as to maximise the weight of crossing edges, and (b) partitioning the vertices of a weighted graph into two blocks of equal cardinality, again so as to maximise the weight of crossing edges. The approach, pioneered by Goemans and Williamson, is via a semidefinite relaxation. 1 Introduction Goemans and Williamson [5] have significantly advanced the theory of approximation algorithms. Previous work on approximation algorithms was largely dependent on comparing heuristic solution values to that of a Linear Program (LP) relaxation, either implicitly or explicitly. This was recognised some time ago by Wolsey [11]. (One significant exception to this general rule has been the case of Bin Packing.) The main novelty of [5] is that it uses a Semi-Definite Program (SDP) as a relaxation. To be more precise let...

Citations