What is a Decision Problem?

A decision problem asks a yes or no question for each input. It's like a true/false question for computers.

What Does It Mean for a Decision Problem to Be Decidable?

A decision problem is decidable if there is a clear way (an algorithm) to answer yes or no for any input in a limited time.
• Example:
• Evenness Problem: You can easily check if a number is even by dividing by 2.
• Undecidable Example: Halting Problem: There's no way to always know if a computer program will stop or run forever.

What is the Class P? What is the Class NP?

Class P:
• P stands for "Polynomial time."
• It includes problems that can be solved quickly by a computer.
Class NP:
• NP stands for "Nondeterministic Polynomial time."
• It includes problems where if someone gives you a solution, you can check it quickly.

What is the intuitive meaning of the “P versus NP” question?

The P versus NP problem is a major unsolved problem in theoretical computer science. It asks whether every problem that is easy to check for a correct solution is also easy to solve in the first place. In other words, if you can quickly verify that an answer is right, can you also find that answer just as quickly? This question is important because if the answer is "yes," it could revolutionize fields like technology, security, and medicine by making complex problems much easier to solve. On the other hand, if the answer is "no," it confirms that some problems are inherently difficult to solve, even if their solutions are easy to verify.

If I Resolve the P versus NP Question, How Much Richer Will I Be?

If I solve the P versus NP problem, I could become very famous and win a big prize, like $1 million from the Clay Mathematics Institute. People in math and computer science would respect me a lot for solving one of the hardest questions. My discovery could also change how we solve many problems in technology and other areas, making a big impact on the world. So, I would be richer not just with money, but also with fame and recognition!

MIT NEWS
Wikipedia
CMU
Geeks For Geeks