13.2. CoNP-Complete Problems.

Let S be a set of strings.

Definition. S is CoNP-complete if both of the following hold.

  1. S ∈ CoNP.
  2. For every X ∈ CoNP, Xp S.

CoNP is a kind of mirror image of NP, where no becomes yes and yes becomes no. Mathematicians say that CoNP is dual to NP.

Theorem. S is NP-complete if and only if S is CoNP-complete.

For example, the problem of determining whether a clausal formula is unsatisfiable is CoNP-complete.

The problem of determining whether a given graph does not have a Hamilton cycle is CoNP-complete.