Independent Set problem

The Independent Set (IS) problem is an NP-complete problem.

Description

1. Certificate: Check that no vertices are connecting.

Can easily be verified in polynomial time.

2. 3-CNF-SAT->IS transformation

3-CNF-SAT (Given):
- Variables x1, x2, ..., xn
- Clauses c1, c2, ..., cm
IS (Construction of Graph):
- 1 vertex for each occurrence of each literal (3m vertices)
- Connect two vertices when:
  - They are conflicting (i.e. x1, ~x1)
  - They are in the same clause

This transformation can be performed in polynomial time.

3. Proof of correctness (note: is not formal or complete)

Yes->Yes:
- Pick only one literal from 3-CNF-SAT solution
- Per definition of satisfiability, vertices in our graph represented by this literal will not be connected to another vertex in the ""same clause"" or to a conflicting vertex
- Hence, the node is part of the Independent Set
No->No:
- Use contrapositive (Yes<-Yes aka 3-CNF-SAT<-IS).
- Select an independent set of size m.
- By construction, vertices are linked to conflicting literals and literals in the same clause.
- Therefore, these can not be part of an independent set.
- Hence, only vertices in an independent set will satisfy 3-CNF-SAT.