Data transmitted on a link uses the following 2D parity scheme for error…

Answer: 3 corrupted bits.

Method to determine the minimum number of corrupted bits:

• Compute row parity mismatches: For each row, XOR the seven data bits and compare with the transmitted row parity bit. Count how many rows do not match. From the received table this count is 3.

• Compute column parity mismatches: For each column, XOR the four data bits and compare with the transmitted column parity bit. Count how many columns do not match. From the received table this count is 3.

• Key insight: Flipping a single data bit toggles the parity of exactly one row and exactly one column. To correct k mismatched rows and l mismatched columns you need at least max(k, l) bit flips, because each flip fixes at most one row mismatch and one column mismatch.

• Apply to this case: k = 3 mismatched rows and l = 3 mismatched columns, so the minimum number of flips required is max(3, 3) = 3. When k = l you can choose the three flipped bits at the three intersections of the mismatched rows and columns to fix all mismatches simultaneously.

Therefore the minimum possible value of n (number of corrupted bits) is 3.