reducibility

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the property of being reducible to a simpler, more basic, or formally equivalent form

   The axiom of reducibility asserts that a suitable predicative function is equivalent to any given function.

2. 2
   noun

   in mathematics and computer science, the existence of a transformation that converts one problem, expression, or structure into another

   The proof of reducibility maps every instance of the first decision problem to an instance of the second.

Formed from reducible + -ity. Reducible comes from Latin reducere ("to lead back, bring back"), from re- + ducere ("to lead"). Technical uses preserve the idea that one form can be brought back to another, usually simpler or already understood, form.

Topics