Computationally irreducible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Computationally irreducible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in discussions related to computer science, complexity theory, or systems that cannot be simplified or predicted without simulating the entire process. Example: "In many complex systems, the behavior is computationally irreducible, meaning that we cannot shortcut the simulation to predict outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Since no universal computer can outstrip any other, most things in the world are inherently unpredictable -- "computationally irreducible".

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They're irreducible.

The New York Times - Arts

But the mysteries are irreducible.

The New Yorker

"Our algorithm is faster and computationally simpler," Allesina says.

The New York Times

Tony spoke of his irreducible core.

The Guardian

But this is about irreducible irrationality, if you like.

The New York Times - Science

The size of the irreducible debt is one such.

The Economist

The hernia may be classified as reducible, irreducible, or strangulated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We remain their irreducible enemies," he said of the jihadists.

The New York Times

The social instincts are not regarded as elementary or irreducible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet Lisbeth Salander, however she's played, has certain irreducible qualities and an irreducible force.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing complex systems or phenomena, use "computationally irreducible" to emphasize the limitations of computational analysis in predicting their behavior. This highlights the need for alternative approaches such as simulation or empirical observation.

Common error

Avoid using "computationally irreducible" interchangeably with "computationally intractable". Intractability implies a problem is solvable in principle but requires excessive resources, while irreducibility suggests that no computational shortcut can predict the outcome without full simulation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "computationally irreducible" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe something that cannot be simplified or reduced in terms of computational analysis. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing systems or phenomena.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "computationally irreducible" is a technical term primarily used in scientific and academic contexts to describe systems or processes that cannot be simplified or predicted through computation any faster than simulating the entire process. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct but relatively rare. When using the term, ensure it is not confused with "computationally intractable", and accurately reflects the inherent limitations of computational analysis. By recognizing such limitations, researchers can select appropriate methods for analyzing complex phenomena.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Computationally non-reducible

A more direct synonym, emphasizing the inability to reduce complexity.

Algorithmically incompressible

Focuses on the impossibility of reducing the size of an algorithm without losing information.

Inherently unpredictable by computation

Highlights the computational limitations in predicting certain outcomes.

Computationally unsimplifiable

Highlights the impossibility of simplification through computation.

Intrinsically resistant to simplification

Emphasizes the inherent difficulty in simplifying a complex system.

Computationally intractable

Indicates a problem that cannot be solved by any algorithm in a reasonable amount of time.

Fundamentally unsolvable by computation

Highlights the limitations of computational methods in solving certain problems.

Irreducible algorithmic complexity

Focuses on the minimum complexity required for an algorithm to perform a task.

Not amenable to computational shortcuts

Implies that there are no efficient computational methods to achieve a result.

Beyond computational reach

Indicates that the problem cannot be tackled with computation due to inherent limitations.

FAQs

How does the concept of "computationally irreducible" relate to the limits of prediction?

"Computationally irreducible" processes cannot be predicted by any algorithm faster than simply running the process itself. This implies fundamental limits to forecasting certain complex phenomena.

In what fields is the concept of "computationally irreducible" most relevant?

The concept is relevant in fields dealing with complex systems such as computer science, physics, biology, and economics, where predictive modeling faces inherent limitations.

What is the difference between "computationally irreducible" and "computationally intractable"?

"Computationally irreducible" means there's no shortcut to predicting the outcome, you have to simulate it. "Computationally intractable" means a problem is solvable in principle but takes too long to be practical.

How can I use "computationally irreducible" in a sentence?

You might say, "The behavior of this complex system is "computationally irreducible", meaning we can't predict its evolution without simulating every step".