Optimization Methods for Logical Inference

Vijay Chandru/ John Hooker

ISBN 10: 0471570354 / ISBN 13: 9780471570356

Published by Wiley-Interscience, 1999

About this Item

1st edition. 365 pages. 9.75x6.75x1.00 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # x-0471570354

Bibliographic Details

Title: Optimization Methods for Logical Inference

Publisher: Wiley-Interscience

Publication Date: 1999

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Brand New

About this title

Synopsis:

Merging logic and mathematics in deductive inference--an innovative, cutting--edge approach. Optimization methods for logical inference? Absolutely, say Vijay Chandru and John Hooker, two major contributors to this rapidly expanding field. And even though "solving logical inference problems with optimization methods may seem a bit like eating sauerkraut with chopsticks...it is the mathematical structure of a problem that determines whether an optimization model can help solve it, not the context in which the problem occurs." Presenting powerful, proven optimization techniques for logic inference problems, Chandru and Hooker show how optimization models can be used not only to solve problems in artificial intelligence and mathematical programming, but also have tremendous application in complex systems in general. They survey most of the recent research from the past decade in logic/optimization interfaces, incorporate some of their own results, and emphasize the types of logic most receptive to optimization methods--propositional logic, first order predicate logic, probabilistic and related logics, logics that combine evidence such as Dempster--Shafer theory, rule systems with confidence factors, and constraint logic programming systems. Requiring no background in logic and clearly explaining all topics from the ground up, Optimization Methods for Logical Inference is an invaluable guide for scientists and students in diverse fields, including operations research, computer science, artificial intelligence, decision support systems, and engineering.

Review:

"...the first monograph devoted to a new interesting research area combining logic with optimization methods." (Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2001j)