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Complexity of SSQR and USSR

Ascertain the exact computational complexity of SSQR (Sum-of-Square-Roots) and USSR (Unary Sum-of-Square-Roots), including whether these problems are solvable in polynomial time.

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Background

SSQR asks whether a sum of square roots of integers exceeds a threshold, and USSR is its unary-encoded variant.

Both problems are central to precise numerical comparisons (e.g., Euclidean TSP) and, despite strong upper bounds, their exact placement in standard complexity classes remains unresolved.

References

It is quite possible that USSR\ and SSQR\ are polynomial-time solvable, and many researchers believe so, but their exact complexity remains open.

The Existential Theory of the Reals as a Complexity Class: A Compendium (2407.18006 - Schaefer et al., 25 Jul 2024) in Section “Where is the Existential Theory of the Reals?”, Inside ER subsection