Let Nf and Np denote the classes of languages accepted by non-deterministic…

2005

Let Nf and Np denote the classes of languages accepted by non-deterministic finite automata and non-deterministic push-down automata, respectively. Let Df and Dp denote the classes of languages accepted by deterministic finite automata and deterministic push-down automata, respectively. Which one of the following is TRUE?

  1. A.

    Df ⊂ Nf and Dp ⊂ Np

  2. B.

    Df ⊂ Nf and Dp = Np

  3. C.

    Df = Nf and Dp = Np

  4. D.

    Df = Nf and Dp ⊂ Np

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Correct answer: D

Deterministic finite automata (Df) and non-deterministic finite automata (Nf) recognize the same class of languages, so Df = Nf. However, deterministic push-down automata (Dp) are less powerful than non-deterministic push-down automata (Np), as there exist context-free languages that can be recognized by Np but not by Dp. Thus, Dp ⊂ Np.

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