General Arithmetic Circuits

Definition ∞ General Arithmetic Circuits are a mathematical representation used in cryptography, particularly for constructing zero-knowledge proofs, where a computation is expressed as a series of additions and multiplications over a finite field. Any computable function can be transformed into such a circuit. This representation allows for the efficient verification of complex computations without revealing the underlying input data. They form the basis for many modern zero-knowledge proof systems.
Context ∞ In the field of zero-knowledge proofs, news often discusses the efficiency of converting various computations into general arithmetic circuits. Research focuses on optimizing this “arithmetization” process to reduce the size and complexity of the circuits, which directly impacts proving time and verification costs. Advancements in this area are critical for making zero-knowledge proofs more practical for a wider array of blockchain applications, including privacy-preserving transactions and scalable off-chain computations.