Year: 2025
Type: preprint
Abstract: We present results on new variants of the famous linear search (or cow-path) problem that involves an agent searching for a target with unknown position on the infinite line. We consider the variant where the agent can move either at speed $1$ or at a slower speed $v \in [0, 1)$. When traveling at the slower speed $v$, the agent is guaranteed to detect the target upon passing through its location. When traveling at speed $1$, however, the agent, upon passing through the target's location, detects it with probability $p \in [0, 1]$. We present algorithms and provide upper bounds for the competitive ratios for three cases separately: when $p=0$, $v=0$, and when $p,v \in (0,1)$. We also prove that the provided algorithm for the $p=0$ case is optimal.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Authors: Coleman, Jared, Morales-Ponce, Oscar
Language: English
Subfield: Computer Networks and Communications
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6979272095
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