undecidable

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Incapable of being algorithmically decided in finite time. For example, a set of strings is undecidable if it is impossible to program a computer (even one with infinite memory) to determine whether or not specified strings are included.
  2. (of a WFF) logically independent from the axioms of a given theory; i.e., that it can never be either proved or disproved (i.e., have its negation proved) on the basis of the axioms of the given theory. (Note: this latter definition is independent of any time bounds or computability issues, i.e., more Platonic.)

Pronunciation

en-us-undecidable.ogg

Word forms

undecidable

Etymology

From un- + decidable.

Antonyms

Related words

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