VALIDATING QUALITATIVE STATES WITH THE CONFLICT RESOLUTION METHOD

A computer simulation includes qualitative values and constraints of a qualitative state. At least some of the constraints include additions of at least some of the qualitative values. The qualitative values are converted to inequalities and equalities. A subset of the original constraints is extracted that represents all of the additions. A conflict resolution method is applied to the inequalities along with the addition constraints. The conflict resolution method makes a tentative assignment of numerical values to the quantitative values and determines consistencies over all of the inequalities and equalities using the tentative assignments. Based on the conflict resolution method determining that the addition constraints reduce to a trivial inconsistency, the qualitative state can be invalidated.