View source for Some Reduction Inferences ← Some Reduction Inferences

$P \subseteq NP \subseteq NPC \subseteq NPH$

Assume all reductions are done in polynomial time

Consider problems $A$, $B$ and $C$

• If <math>A</math> is reduced to <math>B</math> and <math>B</math> $\in$ P, then <math>A</math> $\in$ <math>P</math>
• If <math>A</math> is reduced to <math>B</math> and <math>B</math> $\in$ NP, then <math>A</math> $\in$ <math>NP</math>
  • (<math>A</math> may also be in <math>P</math>, but that cannot be inferred from the given statement)
• If <math>A</math> is reduced to <math>B</math> and <math>B</math> $\in$ NPC, then <math>A</math> $\in$ <math>NP</math>
  • (<math>A</math> may also be in <math>NPC</math>, but that cannot be inferred from the given statement)
• If <math>A</math> is reduced to <math>B</math>, <math>C</math> is reduced to <math>A</math> , <math>B \in NP </math> and $C \in$ NPC, then <math>A</math> $\in$ <math>NPC</math>
• If <math>A</math> is reduced to <math>B</math> and <math>B</math> $\in$ NPH, then <math>A</math> $\in$ <math>?</math>
  • Here we can't say anything about A. It can be as hard as NPH, or as simple as P