computationally intractable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "computationally intractable" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a problem that is so complex that existing algorithms or computers are too slow or inadequate to solve it. For example: "The problem of factoring a large number into its component primes is computationally intractable."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Asimov's laws are computationally intractable.

TechCrunch

That is, direct marginalization is computationally intractable.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Evaluating many possible combinations can computationally intractable.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Admittedly, Bayesian updating in the general case is computationally intractable.

SEP

For complex fire models, this approach may be computationally intractable.

Fire Safety Journal

Many optimization problems of practical interest are computationally intractable.

Discrete Applied Mathematics

Such formulations are computationally intractable, even for moderate sized networks.

Optical Switching and Networking

In Equation (20), it is computationally intractable to calculate U n 's simultaneously.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

However, in practical situations, the equations given in Theorem 2 are computationally intractable.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

However, the E-step is computationally intractable and approximation approaches are used instead [11, 12].

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Therefore, solving the problem by an exact algorithm is time consuming and computationally intractable.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the limitations of an algorithm or computational approach, use "computationally intractable" to clearly indicate that the problem is too complex for current methods or resources. Be specific about which aspect of the problem makes it intractable.

Common error

Avoid using "computationally intractable" loosely to describe merely difficult problems. Ensure the problem's complexity genuinely exceeds the capabilities of existing computational methods and not just current resources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "computationally intractable" functions as an adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (often a "problem", "task", or "algorithm") to describe its inherent computational limitations. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

98%

News & Media

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "computationally intractable" is an adjective phrase used to describe problems too complex to solve efficiently with current computational resources. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness. The phrase is most frequently used in scientific and technical contexts to explain limitations and justify alternative approaches. While alternatives like "algorithmically infeasible" or "prohibitively complex" exist, "computationally intractable" provides a clear and widely understood term for these types of limitations. Avoid using it loosely for problems that are merely difficult rather than inherently beyond current computational capabilities. It is also important to clearly indicate what element of the problem leads to intractability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

computationally infeasible

Directly mirrors the original phrase but uses "infeasible" which emphasizes impossibility.

computationally prohibitive

Similar to "intractable" but emphasizes the high cost (in time or resources) of computation.

algorithmically infeasible

Focuses on the algorithmic perspective, emphasizing that no algorithm can solve the problem efficiently.

intractable for current systems

Specifies that the intractability is relative to existing computational systems.

practically unsolvable

Shifts the focus to the practical implications, indicating the problem cannot be solved in a real-world setting.

effectively impossible to compute

Emphasizes the near-impossibility of computing a solution.

prohibitively complex

Highlights the complexity of the problem as the barrier to solving it.

unmanageably complex

Focuses on the difficulty in managing or handling the problem's complexity.

beyond computational reach

Emphasizes that current computational capabilities are insufficient to solve the problem.

not amenable to computation

Highlights that the problem's nature makes it unsuitable for computational methods.

FAQs

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

You can use "computationally intractable" to describe problems too complex for current computing power. For instance, "Factoring large numbers is a "computationally intractable" problem for classical computers".

What does "computationally intractable" mean?

"Computationally intractable" signifies that a problem is too complex to be solved by an algorithm in a reasonable amount of time or with available resources. This often implies the problem's complexity grows exponentially with its size.

Are there alternative phrases for "computationally intractable"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "algorithmically infeasible", "practically unsolvable", or "prohibitively complex" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "computationally intractable" the same as "computationally complex"?

While related, they aren't identical. "Computationally complex" describes a problem with high resource requirements, whereas "computationally intractable" implies those requirements are so high the problem is effectively unsolvable in practice. Intractability is a more severe limitation.