The word "Decidable" is spelled as DEH-si-duh-buhl. It is derived from the verb "decide," meaning to come to a conclusion or make a firm judgment. In mathematics and computer science, decidability refers to the problem of determining whether a given statement is true or false. The addition of the suffix "-able" indicates that the subject or concept can be acted upon or possesses the ability for a certain action. Thus, "decidable" means able to be decided or determined.
Decidable, in the context of computer science and mathematics, refers to a property of problems or languages that can be solved or determined by an algorithm or a computational process. A problem is said to be decidable if there exists an effective method to determine the correct answer for any instance of the problem.
In formal terms, a problem is considered decidable if there exists a Turing machine or an algorithm that, given any input instance, eventually halts and correctly produces either a "yes" or "no" answer. The decision process must always terminate and output the correct answer, regardless of the input.
Decidability is closely related to the concept of computability, where a problem is considered computable if there exists an algorithm that can solve it, but may not terminate for some inputs. In contrast, decidability ensures that the decision process will always terminate.
The study of decidability and computability is fundamental to theoretical computer science and mathematics. It helps establish the theoretical limits of what problems can be solved algorithmically. Problems that are decidable are often those that can be solved by an effective procedure, while undecidable problems are those whose solutions cannot be determined by any algorithm.
That may be decided.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "decidable" is derived from the verb "decide", which traces back to the Latin word "decidere". "Decidere" is a combination of the prefix "de-" (meaning "off") and the verb "caedere" (meaning "to cut" or "to decide"). In Latin, "decidere" originally referred to the act of cutting off or settling something, often associated with making a firm decision. Over time, the term evolved and expanded its meaning to encompass the concept of reaching a definite conclusion or making a determination. From Latin, "decide" entered into Old French as "decider" before ultimately becoming "decide" in Middle English. Based on this root, "decidable" means capable of being decided or determinable.