The Dynamic Creation And Modification of Heuristics in a Learning Program

POLY FACT is a learning program that attempts to factor multivariable polynomials. The program has been successful in factoring polynomials (in simplified form) with a maximum of 84 terms, each term consisting of as many as five variables and a maximum degree of 67. The complexity of this learning task placed unusual requirements on the representation of heuristics. By using the first-order predicate calculus notation, we enable the creation and modification of heuristics dynamically during program execution. Constraints on the creation process are implemented in a series of tables by which one can alter the flexibility given to the program. Execution of heuristics begins with a translation of the predicate calculus representation to a reverse Polish string, followed by the interpretive evaluation of the Polish string. A general procedure for developing and implementing the predicate calculus representation is suggested.