Which of the following CFG(s) is/are in Chomsky Normal form (All capital…

2025

Which of the following CFG(s) is/are in Chomsky Normal form (All capital letters are variables & lower case are terminals)
A.
S→ABC  ∣  AB
A→A→a
B→B→b
C→C→d
B.
X→RT  / TR
T→T→t
R→XT / r
C.
P→qP  /  sQ
Q→r /  s
D.
M→MN /  MP
N→nm  /  n
P→p
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  1. A.

    A & B only

  2. B.

    B only

  3. C.

    C only

  4. D.

    B & D only

Attempted by 24 students.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Chomsky Normal Form (CNF) rules: every production must be either of the form A → BC (two variables) or A → a (single terminal).

  • Grammar with productions S → ABC | AB; A → a; B → b; C → d: Not in CNF because S → ABC has three variables on the right-hand side, while CNF allows only two variables on the right-hand side.

  • Grammar with productions X → RT | TR; T → t; R → XT | r: This is in CNF because each production is either two variables on the right-hand side (X → RT, X → TR, R → XT) or a single terminal (T → t, R → r).

  • Grammar with productions P → qP | sQ; Q → r | s: Not in CNF because P → qP has a terminal followed by a variable on the right-hand side. CNF does not permit mixing terminals and variables in one production.

  • Grammar with productions M → MN | MP; N → nm | n; P → p: Not in CNF because N → nm has two terminals on the right-hand side. CNF allows only a single terminal on the right-hand side, not two terminals together.

Conclusion: Only the grammar with productions X → RT | TR; T → t; R → XT | r satisfies the CNF restrictions.

A video solution is available for this question — log in and enroll to watch it.

Explore the full course: Mppsc Assistant Professor