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Given a multiset of numbers $X = \{x_1, \dots, x_n\}$, such that $\sum X = 0$, how can $X$ be partitioned to the maximum number of subsets so that each subset sums to zero?

I have searched around a lot, but none of the partition or packing problem variants seem to address this particular case.

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  • $\begingroup$ What exactly is your question? Looking for algorithms? Hardness proofs? References? $\endgroup$ Feb 6, 2016 at 17:31
  • $\begingroup$ I'm looking for an algorithm, yes. I have an implementation of the dynamic programming solution, which I can use to find some subsets, but I don't know how to continue from there on, or if i'm on the right track at all. $\endgroup$
    – mgunyho
    Feb 6, 2016 at 17:47

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3-Partition reduces to this problem, so it's strongly $NP$-hard. Moreover, 4-Partition also reduces to it (and the blowup is linear), so assuming the exponential time hypothesis there's no $2^{o(n)}$ algorithm.

Using dynamic programming there's a $O^*(4^n)$ algorithm, it would be interesting if you could do $2^n$ or even $1.99^n$.

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    $\begingroup$ Can you specify the algorithm? $\endgroup$
    – mgunyho
    Feb 6, 2016 at 17:48
  • $\begingroup$ @mgunyho Here is the actual reduction to the 3-partition problem I think :) $\endgroup$
    – iago-lito
    Aug 26, 2018 at 7:04

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