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Intractability Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿงฉ
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intractability

[ษชnหŒtrรฆktษ™หˆbษชlษชti ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

complexity theory

The quality or state of being intractable, i.e. difficult to manage or control. In complexity theory, intractability refers to computational problems that cannot be efficiently solved by algorithms.

Synonyms

difficultness, stubbornness, unmanageability.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
intractability

Best suited for formal contexts when referring to a situation, problem, or person that is hard to deal with or control.

  • The intractability of the negotiations made it difficult to reach an agreement
  • The childโ€™s intractability frustrated the teacher
stubbornness

Often used in a negative manner to describe someone who is not willing to change their mind or accept help.

  • Her stubbornness prevented her from asking for help
  • The team faced setbacks due to his stubbornness in following outdated methods
unmanageability

Best used when discussing situations, behaviors, or conditions that are hard to control or manage.

  • The unmanageability of the wild animal made it a danger to others
  • The new software's unmanageability caused delays in the project
difficultness

Used in informal conversations to describe something that is hard to do or understand.

  • The difficultness of the exam surprised all the students
  • They underestimated the difficultness of planning such a large event

Examples of usage

  • The intractability of the problem led researchers to seek alternative solutions.
  • His stubbornness and intractability made it impossible to negotiate with him.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • In psychology, certain intractable issues can refer to resistant mental health conditions or behavioral patterns that do not respond well to treatment.
  • The concept also appears in discussions around personality disorders, where intractable traits may significantly hinder personal development.

Mathematics

  • Intractable problems in math are often those that can't be solved efficiently, such as NP-hard problems, which require extensive computational resources.
  • Understanding intractability is key for computer science, especially in the fields of algorithm design and complexity theory.

Politics

  • Political intractability can refer to conflicts that seem unsolvable, such as longstanding territorial disputes or ideological divides.
  • Governments often face intractable issues like poverty and inequality that require comprehensive and sustained efforts to address.

Culture

  • In literature and film, characters may face intractable dilemmas that define their journeys, showcasing the human struggle against seemingly insurmountable odds.
  • The portrayal of intractable challenges often resonates with audiences, as it mirrors real-life situations that feel overwhelming.

Origin of 'intractability'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'intractabilis,' meaning 'not able to be handled' or 'unmanageable.'
  • It is formed from the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' and 'tractable,' which means 'able to be pulled or handled.'

The word 'intractability' has its roots in the Latin word 'intractabilis', which means 'that cannot be handled'. The term gained popularity in complexity theory, a branch of computer science, to describe problems that are difficult or impossible to solve efficiently. These intractable problems play a crucial role in understanding the limits of computation and have led to the development of new algorithms and approaches to tackle them.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,099 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.