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Events

The Taub Faculty of Computer Science Events and Talks

Theory Seminar: The Power of VCG: On Algorithms that are Maximal In Range
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Shahar Dobzinski (CS @ Engineering, Huji)
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Sunday, 03.02.2008, 11:00
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Room 337-8 Taub Bld.
Consider the following simple type of approximation algorithms: limit the set of possible outcomes, and completely optimize over the restricted subrange. In this talk we will study the power of this type of algorithms in two settings: multi-unit auctions, and combinatorial auctions with subadditive bidders.

From a game-theoretic point of view, our results provide a characterization of the power of the main positive result of mechanism design the VCG mechanism. Another motivation is that our lower bounds might play a crucial role towards setting lower bounds on the power of polynomial time truthful mechanisms. We will explain and discuss these issues.

Joint work with Noam Nisan.