Analysis of Heuristic Synergies

“Heuristic synergy” refers to improvements in search performance when the decisions made by two or more heuristics are combined. This paper considers combinations based on products and quotients, and then a newer form of combination based on weighted sums of ratings from a set of base heuristics, some of which result in definite improvements in performance. Then, using recent results from an factor analytic study of heuristic performance, which showed two main effects of heuristics, which involve either immediate or future failure, it is shown that heuristic combinations are effective when they are able to balance these two actions. In addition, a factor analysis that included heuristic combinations did not reveal any evidence of new ‘factors’ in this case. In addition to elucidating the basis for heuristic synergy (or for the lack of it), this work suggests that the task of understanding heuristic search may devolve to an analysis of these two basic actions.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2005
• Where: CSCLP
• Authors: Richard J. Wallace
• Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, CSCLP 2005, Heuristic, Heuristic Combinations, Heuristic Synergy