Puzzles in Statistical Reasoning

Transfer Learning in Spatial Reasoning Puzzles

Transfer learning is the process of using knowledge gained while solving one problem to solve a new, previously unencountered problem. Current research has concentrated on analogical transfer – a mechanic is able to fix a type of car he has never seen before by comparing it to cars he has fixed before. This approach is typical of case-based reasoning systems and has been successful on a wide va...

Crossword Puzzles: Experiments with Meta-search in Propositional Reasoning

Abstract A new technique for improving the efficiency of propositional reasoning procedures is presented. The meta-search procedure, ND, is parameterized by a search procedure and a real number for controlling the way in which is applied to the given problem. Experiments using SATO on the domain of Crossword Puzzle Construction (CPC) illustrate the potential for ND. Experiments with graph color...

A Statistical Study of Failures in Solving Crossword Puzzles

Puzzles of Anthropic Reasoning Resolved Using Full Non-indexical Conditioning

I consider the puzzles arising from four interrelated problems involving “anthropic” reasoning, and in particular the “Self-Sampling Assumption” (SSA) — that one should reason as if one were randomly chosen from the set of all observers in a suitable reference class. The problem of Freak Observers might appear to force acceptance of SSA if any empirical evidence is to be credited. The Sleeping ...

Solving Mathematical Puzzles: a Deep Reasoning Challenge (Position Paper)

This is the era of big-data: high-volume, high-velocity and high-variety information assets are being collected, demanding cost-effective information processing. Analytic techniques primarily based on statistical methods are showing astonishing results, but exhibit also limited reasoning capabilities. On the other end of the spectrum the era of bigreasoning is emerging with next-generation cogn...