Book contents
16 - Decision Trees and Branching Programs
from Part IV - Concrete Models
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 October 2026
Summary
This chapter focuses on query complexity, which measures the minimum number of input bits that need to be read to solve a problem, in other words, the minimum depth of any correct decision tree (or branching program). Techniques for upper and lower bounds for deterministic and randomized query complexities are covered. The close relationships between query complexity and other measures known as certificate complexity and sensitivity are also covered. The chapter concludes with techniques for proving lower bounds on the size (as opposed to depth) of decision trees and branching programs.
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- Complexity in Computer Science , pp. 579 - 617Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2026
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