Consider the complexity class \(πΆπ‘‚βˆ’π‘π‘ƒ\) as the set of languages \(L\) such…

2019

Consider the complexity classΒ \(πΆπ‘‚βˆ’π‘π‘ƒ\)Β as the set of languagesΒ \(L\) such thatΒ \(\overline{L} \in NP\), and the following two statements:

\(S_1: \: P \subseteq CO-NP\)

\(S_2: \: \text{ If } NP \neq CO-NP, \text{ then } P \neq NP\)

Which of the following is/are correct?

  1. A.

    OnlyΒ \(𝑆_1\)

  2. B.

    Β OnlyΒ \(𝑆_2\)

  3. C.

    Β BothΒ \(𝑆_1\) andΒ \(𝑆_2\)

  4. D.

    Β NeitherΒ \(𝑆_1\) norΒ \(𝑆_2\)

Attempted by 107 students.

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Correct answer: C

Answer: Both statements are true.

Key facts: CO-NP is the class of languages whose complements lie in NP. The class P is closed under complement (if a language is in P then its complement is also in P), and P βŠ† NP.

  • Proof that the first statement is true: For any language L in P, the complement of L is also in P because P is closed under complement. Since P βŠ† NP, the complement of L is in NP. By definition of CO-NP, this means L ∈ CO-NP. Therefore P βŠ† CO-NP.

  • Proof that the second statement is true: Prove the contrapositive. If P = NP, then NP = P is closed under complement, so NP is closed under complement and thus NP = CO-NP. Taking the contrapositive of this implication gives: if NP β‰  CO-NP then P β‰  NP.

Conclusion: Both statements hold, so the correct choice is that both are true.

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