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arXiv:1708.04215cs.DS

A Constant-Factor Approximation Algorithm for the Asymmetric Traveling Salesman Problem

Ola Svensson, Jakub Tarnawski, László A. Végh

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Abstract

We give a constant-factor approximation algorithm for the asymmetric traveling salesman problem (ATSP). Our approximation guarantee is analyzed with respect to the standard LP relaxation, and thus our result confirms the conjectured constant integrality gap of that relaxation. The main idea of our approach is a reduction to Subtour Partition Cover, an easier problem obtained by significantly relaxing the general connectivity requirements into local connectivity conditions. We first show that any algorithm for Subtour Partition Cover can be turned into an algorithm for ATSP while only losing a small constant factor in the performance guarantee. Next, we present a reduction from general ATSP instances to structured instances, on which we then solve Subtour Partition Cover, yielding our constant-factor approximation algorithm for ATSP.

arXiv comments
This is an extended version of the paper also incorporating the results of the paper arxiv:1502.02051
Journal reference
DOI
Subjects
cs.DSData Structures and Algorithms

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