The polynomial bounds of proof complexity in Frege systems

Abstract

The concept of a determinative set of variables for a propositional formula was introduced by one of the authors, which made it possible to distinguish the set of hard-determinable formulas. The proof complexity of a formula of this sort has exponential lower bounds in some proof systems of classical propositional calculus (cut-free sequent system, resolution system, analytic tableaux, cutting planes, and bounded Frege systems). In this paper we prove that the property of hard-determinability is insufficient for obtaining a superpolynomial lower bound of proof lines (sizes) in Frege systems: an example of a sequence of hard-determinable formulas is given whose proof complexities are polynomially bounded in every Frege system.