CPSCI 307-01: Evolutionary Computation

Homework 3

due: at 5:00 p.m. on March 31, 2007

For today's class, you are going to work independently doing some reading on GA theory; the homework will be a brief writeup based on what you've read. Details follow.

The Reading

Take a look at the following articles. I've indicated what parts I want you to read, but don't feel obligated to stop reading if you're interested in the material.

• Mitchell: “Theoretical Foundations of Genetic Algorithms”. Read the introduction and sections 4.1 and 4.2.
• Holland: “Building Blocks, Cohort Genetic Algorithms, and Hyperplane-Defined Functions”. Read sections 1–5.

The Writing

You've read about schemas, the schema theorem, and the building block hypothesis. Write a 1-2 page single-spaced paper about the building block hypothesis. In particular, I'd like you to address the following question: does the plausibility of the hypothesis arise from its metaphorical foundations (see especially section 2 of the Holland article), or does there appear to be a real grounding for the hypothesis in GA theory?

Note: You should state and explain the building block hypothesis as part of your essay.

Compose your essay as a Word document and email it to me before 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.

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