Consider the languages \(L1=\{0^i1^j\ \mid i \neq j\},\) \(L2=\{0^i1^j\mid…

2010

Consider the languages

\(L1=\{0^i1^j\ \mid i \neq j\},\)

\(L2=\{0^i1^j\mid i=j\},\)

\(L3=\{0^i1^j \mid i=2j+1\},\)

\(L4=\{0^i1^j \mid i\neq2j\}\)

Which one of the following statements is true?

  1. A.

    Only \(L_2\) is context free

  2. B.

    Only \(L_2\) and \(L_3\) are context free

  3. C.

    Only \(L_1\) and \(L_2\) are context free

  4. D.

    All are context free

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Correct answer: D

Answer: All four languages are context-free.

  • L2 = {0^n1^n} is context-free. Example grammar: S -> 0 S 1 | ε.

  • L3 = {0^i1^j | i = 2j + 1} is context-free. Example grammar: S -> 0 | 00 S 1 (base j=0 gives '0'; each application adds 2 zeros and 1 one).

  • L1 = {0^i1^j | i ≠ j} equals 0^*1^* \ {0^n1^n}. The language {0^n1^n} is a deterministic CFL, so its complement over Σ* is a deterministic CFL; intersecting that complement with the regular language 0^*1^* yields a context-free language. Hence L1 is context-free.

  • L4 = {0^i1^j | i ≠ 2j} equals 0^*1^* \ {0^{2j}1^j}. The language {0^{2j}1^j} is context-free (example grammar: S -> 00 S 1 | ε) and in fact deterministic, so the same complement-and-intersect argument shows L4 is context-free.

Therefore every language listed is context-free.

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