AI & Computational Science

Five Methods Tested to Solve Complex Matching Problems with Incomplete Information

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Computational comp…Constraint satisfa…

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This study compares five different computational methods (Answer Set Programming, Constraint Programming, Integer Linear Programming, Propositional Satisfiability, and Local Search) for solving the Stable Marriage problem with Ties and Incomplete preferences (SMTI). The researchers evaluated these methods across three optimization variants: maximizing the number of matches, achieving sex-equal outcomes, and finding egalitarian solutions. The empirical comparison provides insights into which computational approaches are most effective for different variants of this matching problem.


The stable marriage problem has practical applications in real-world matching scenarios such as medical residency assignments, school admissions, and job market matching where participants may have incomplete information or indifference between options. Understanding which computational methods work best can improve the efficiency and fairness of these matching systems.


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Computational complexity 13 articles Explore Concept → Constraint satisfaction Concept coming soon

⚠️ Preprint – Noch nicht peer-reviewed

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Abstract: We study a variation of the Stable Marriage problem, where every man and every woman express their preferences as preference lists which may be incomplete and contain ties. This problem is called the Stable Marriage problem with Ties and Incomplete preferences (SMTI). We consider three optimization variants of SMTI, Max Cardinality, Sex-Equal and Egalitarian, and empirically compare the following methods to solve them: Answer Set Programming, Constraint Programming, Integer Linear Programming. For Max Cardinality, we compare these methods with Local Search methods as well. We also empirically compare Answer Set Programming with Propositional Satisfiability, for SMTI instances.

Source: Stable Marriage Problems with Ties and Incomplete Preferences: An Empirical Comparison of ASP, SAT, ILP, CP, and Local Search Methods