A New Exact Algorithm for Traveling Salesman Problem with Time Complexity Interval (O(n^4), O(n^3*2^n))

Abstract: Traveling salesman problem is a NP-hard problem. Until now, researchers have not found a polynomial time algorithm for traveling salesman problem. Among the existing algorithms, dynamic programming algorithm can solve the problem in time O(n^2*2^n) where n is the number of nodes in the graph. The branch-and-cut algorithm has been applied to solve the problem with a large number of nodes. However, branch-and-cut algorithm also has an exponential worst-case running time. In this paper, a new exact algorithm for traveling salesman problem is proposed. The algorithm can be used to solve an arbitrary instance of traveling salesman problem in real life and the time complexity interval of the algorithm is (O(n^4), O(n^3*2^n)). It means that for some instances, the algorithm can find the optimal solution in polynomial time although the algorithm also has an exponential worst-case running time. In other words, the algorithm tells us that not all the instances of traveling salesman problem need exponential time to compute the optimal solution. The algorithm of this paper can not only assist us to solve traveling salesman problem better, but also can assist us to deepen the comprehension of the relationship between NP-complete and P. Therefore, it is considerable in the further research on traveling salesman problem and NP-hard problem.