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- TL;DR Summary
- Could knowing a wave function solve an NP-complete problem?
Existence of an universal problem solver, a polynomial-time NP-complete algorithm is a $1000000 prize question.
But suppose that we were able to know something "simple", e.g. an electron state or electron wave function exactly.
Would we be able to solve complex mathematical problems (like deciphering ciphers or quickly finding theorem proofs) by knowing these physical states?
Are electron wave function "decisions" (whether at a given point the wave function values are above or below a given number) an efficient NP-complete oracle even in the case if the electron is not a part of a computer (in the usual sense) running a polynomial-time NP-complete algorithm?
Suppose yes, then would from this and also simulation model of the universe follow than an electron is driven by an "all knowing" computer or maybe an NP-complete algorithm?
In other words, are electrons universal problem solvers?
Put another way: Suppose we can calculate an electron wave function for some not very long period of time (think of 10 seconds) exactly. Would it easily make us able to solve an NP-complete problem (decipher ciphers, find proofs of a math theorem just by entering into a computer its thesis, etc.) quickly (in polynomial time)?
Trying to formulate it with mathematical exactness: Suppose we have an oracle for decisions (whether at a given point the wave function values are above or below a given number) of wave functions specified as descriptions of function in ZFC for a time (in some measurement system like SI) up to a (binary) logarithm of a given natural number. Is this oracle a polynomial solution of an NP-complete problem?
But suppose that we were able to know something "simple", e.g. an electron state or electron wave function exactly.
Would we be able to solve complex mathematical problems (like deciphering ciphers or quickly finding theorem proofs) by knowing these physical states?
Are electron wave function "decisions" (whether at a given point the wave function values are above or below a given number) an efficient NP-complete oracle even in the case if the electron is not a part of a computer (in the usual sense) running a polynomial-time NP-complete algorithm?
Suppose yes, then would from this and also simulation model of the universe follow than an electron is driven by an "all knowing" computer or maybe an NP-complete algorithm?
In other words, are electrons universal problem solvers?
Put another way: Suppose we can calculate an electron wave function for some not very long period of time (think of 10 seconds) exactly. Would it easily make us able to solve an NP-complete problem (decipher ciphers, find proofs of a math theorem just by entering into a computer its thesis, etc.) quickly (in polynomial time)?
Trying to formulate it with mathematical exactness: Suppose we have an oracle for decisions (whether at a given point the wave function values are above or below a given number) of wave functions specified as descriptions of function in ZFC for a time (in some measurement system like SI) up to a (binary) logarithm of a given natural number. Is this oracle a polynomial solution of an NP-complete problem?