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Cow-Path Search Algorithm Optimality Rigorously Proven

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This paper provides a detailed proof for the optimality of a randomized algorithm designed for the cow-path problem. The algorithm, developed by Kao, Reif, and Tate, involves a cow visiting $w$ paths in a fixed cyclic order to find a goal at an unknown distance. Previous work by Kao, Ma, Sipser, and Yin established the algorithm's optimality for all $w$, asserting that no algorithm can outperform the best cyclic one. This note aims to rigorously demonstrate that claim. AI

RANK_REASON The item is an academic paper detailing a proof for an algorithm. [lever_c_demoted from research: ic=1 ai=0.1]

Read on arXiv cs.LG →

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Cow-Path Search Algorithm Optimality Rigorously Proven

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The item is an academic paper detailing a proof for an algorithm. [lever_c_demoted from research: ic=1 ai=0.1]
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COVERAGE [1]

  1. arXiv cs.LG TIER_1 English(EN) · Yuan Ma, Yiqun Lisa Yin ·

    On the Cyclic Assumption of the Cow-Path Search Algorithm

    arXiv:2610.10253v1 Announce Type: cross Abstract: In the cow-path problem, a cow must find a goal lying at an unknown distance on one of $w$ paths connected only at the origin, and performance is measured by competitive ratio. Kao, Reif and Tate designed an efficient randomized a…

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