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Multicomputation


A multicomputation is a generalization of a normal (single-threaded) computation to many computational threads of time. The application of multicomputation to problem-solving is known as the multicomputational paradigm.

The application of multicomputation leads to a multicomputational system that allows interpretation of a problem as a multicomputational process.

MulticomputationTicTacToe

Wolfram (2022) analyzes tic-tac-toe, the icosian game, the tower of Hanoi, as well as other games as multicomputational processes, including through the use of branchial graphs. For example, the graph above shows a multiway graph for 2×2 tic-tac-toe in which every path through the graph represents a possible complete game.

MulticomputationTicTacToeAlreadyWon

Wolfram (2022) analyzes tic-tac-toe, the icosian game, the tower of Hanoi, as well as other games If winning 2×2 tic-tac-toe is defined as having two identical elements in a horizontal row, the graph above is a simplified version in which cases in which the game is "already over" have been removed.

Multicomputation and the general multicomputational paradigm lie at the core of the Wolfram Physics Project (Wolfram 2021a).


See also

Multicomputational Paradigm

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References

Wolfram, S. "Multicomputation: A Fourth Paradigm for Theoretical Science." Sep. 9, 2021a. https://writings.stephenwolfram.com/2021/09/multicomputation-a-fourth-paradigm-for-theoretical-science/.Wolfram, S. "Multicomputation with Numbers: The Case of Simple Multiway Systems." Oct. 7, 2021b. https://www.wolframinstitute.org/bulletins/2021/10/multicomputation-with-numbers-the-case-of-simple-multiway-systems/.Wolfram, S. "Games and Puzzles as Multicomputational Systems." Jun. 8, 2022. https://writings.stephenwolfram.com/2022/06/games-and-puzzles-as-multicomputational-systems/.Wolfram, S. "Aggregation and Tiling as Multicomputational Processes." Nov. 3, 2023. https://writings.stephenwolfram.com/2023/11/aggregation-and-tiling-as-multicomputational-processes/.

Cite this as:

Weisstein, Eric W. "Multicomputation." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Multicomputation.html

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