Abstract

We propose and analyze a simple new randomized algorithm, called ResolveSat, for finding satisfying assignments of Boolean formulas in conjunctive normal form. The algorithm consists of two stages: a preprocessing stage in which resolution is applied to enlarge the set of clauses of the formula, followed by a search stage that uses a simple randomized greedy procedure to look for a satisfying assignment. We show that, for each k, the running time of ResolveSat on a k--CNF formula is significantly better than 2 n , even in the worst case. In particular, we show that the algorithm finds a satisfying assignment of a general satisfiable 3--CNF in time O(2 :448n ) with high probability; where the best previous algorithm [13] has running time O(2 :562n ). We obtain a better upper bound of 2 (2 ln 2\Gamma1)n+o(n) = O(2 0:387n ) for 3CNF that have exactly one satisfying assignment (unique k-SAT). For each k, the bounds for general k-CNF are the best currently known for ...

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