Fast approximation algorithms for bounded degree and crossing spanning tree problems

Chandra Chekuri, Kent Quanrud, Manuel R. Torres

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

We develop fast approximation algorithms for the minimum-cost version of the Bounded-Degree MST problem (BD-MST) and its generalization the Crossing Spanning Tree problem (Crossing-ST). We solve the underlying LP to within a (1 + ϵ) approximation factor in near-linear time via the multiplicative weight update (MWU) technique. This yields, in particular, a near-linear time algorithm that outputs an estimate B such that B ≤ B ≤ ⌈(1 + ϵ)B⌉ + 1 where B is the minimum-degree of a spanning tree of a given graph. To round the fractional solution, in our main technical contribution, we describe a fast near-linear time implementation of swap-rounding in the spanning tree polytope of a graph. The fractional solution can also be used to sparsify the input graph that can in turn be used to speed up existing combinatorial algorithms. Together, these ideas lead to significantly faster approximation algorithms than known before for the two problems of interest. In addition, a fast algorithm for swap rounding in the graphic matroid is a generic tool that has other applications, including to TSP and submodular function maximization.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationApproximation, Randomization, and Combinatorial Optimization. Algorithms and Techniques, APPROX/RANDOM 2021
EditorsMary Wootters, Laura Sanita
PublisherSchloss Dagstuhl- Leibniz-Zentrum fur Informatik GmbH, Dagstuhl Publishing
ISBN (Electronic)9783959772075
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2021
Event24th International Conference on Approximation Algorithms for Combinatorial Optimization Problems, APPROX 2021 and 25th International Conference on Randomization and Computation, RANDOM 2021 - Virtual, Seattle, United States
Duration: Aug 16 2021Aug 18 2021

Publication series

NameLeibniz International Proceedings in Informatics, LIPIcs
Volume207
ISSN (Print)1868-8969

Conference

Conference24th International Conference on Approximation Algorithms for Combinatorial Optimization Problems, APPROX 2021 and 25th International Conference on Randomization and Computation, RANDOM 2021
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityVirtual, Seattle
Period8/16/218/18/21

Keywords

  • Bounded degree spanning tree
  • Crossing spanning tree
  • Fast approximation algorithms
  • Swap rounding

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Software

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