Computer algebra

Operation-specific checker

A checker written for the evidence returned by one class of computation.

Definition

Operation-specific checker

An operation-specific checker validates a result using rules tailored to that operation and its certificate.

The checker can be smaller than the algorithm that found the result. Different operations need different evidence because a factorization, integral, and matrix decomposition make different claims.

01

Example

A factorization checker expands the returned factors and compares the exact polynomial with the input.

02

Important distinction

Passing one checker establishes the property it tests, not every mathematical claim a user might infer from the output.

After reading this article, you should be able to

  • Define Operation-specific checker in the sense used on this site.
  • Design a direct check for one symbolic computation and state its limits.