Summer term 2026
(Module V4C2 and MA-INF1201)
Approximation algorithms are polynomial-time algorithms that guarantee to find a feasible solution that is optimal up to a factor of k. For some NP-hard problems, k can be chosen arbitrarily close to 1, for others there is a best possible constant, and for some problems there is no such constant (unless P=NP). We analyze the approximability of various classcial NP-hard combinatorial optimization problems, including the TSP, set covering, knapsack, bin packing, and satisfiability problems.
This course will be in English. Most of the course will be based on the following book:
- B. Korte, J. Vygen: Combinatorial Optimization: Theory and Algorithms. Springer, Sixth edition 2018 (Chapters 16 - 22)
- D.P. Williamson, D.B. Shmoys: The Design of Approximation Algorithms. Cambridge University Press, 2011
- V.V. Vazirani: Approximation Algorithms. Springer 2001
- G. Ausiello, P. Crescenzi, G. Gambosi, V. Kann, A. Marchetti-Spaccamela, M. Protasi: Complexity and Approximation. Springer 1999
- D.S. Hochbaum (editor): Approximation Algorithms for NP-Hard Problems. PWS 1996
| Prerequisites: | Combinatorial Optimization, in particular basic knowledge in graphs, linear programming, network flows, matching, and NP-completeness; see, e.g., Chapters 1-15 of the book by Korte and Vygen (see above) |
| Class Hours: | Tuesdays and Thursdays 14:15-15:45 |
| Exercise Classes: | Fridays 10:15-11:45, Seminarraum |
Professor S. Hougardy