Cracking the Constrained Number Partitioning Problem (CNP) with SPIMs

The Constrained Number Partitioning Problem (CNP) is a computationally challenging variant of number partitioning, where hardness depends on precision, bias ratios, and finite-size effects. This article explores why CNP is a strong candidate for SPIM hardware implementation, highlighting its unique phase transitions between easy and hard regions, and how numerical investigation reveals the precision requirements needed for moderately sized but still computationally hard instances.