Equivalence of NFAs and DFAs

Linz: 2.3 Equivalence of Deterministic and Nondeterministic Finite

Accepters, page 58

79
 Equivalence of Machines

For DFAs or NFAs:

Machine M1 is equivalent to machine M2

if L M1   L M 2 

80
 Example
NFA M1
LM1   {10} * 0
q0 q1 0, 1 q2
1


DFA M2 0,1
LM 2   {10} * 0
q0 q1 1 q2
1
0 81
Since LM1   LM 2   10*

machines M1 and M2 are equivalent

0
NFA M1 q0 q1 0, 1 q2
1


0,1
0
DFA M2 q0 q1 1 q2
1
0 82
 Equivalence of NFAs and DFAs

Question: NFAs = DFAs ?

Same power?
Accept the same languages?

83
 Equivalence of NFAs and DFAs

Question: NFAs = DFAs ? YES!

Same power?
Accept the same languages?

84
 We will prove:


Languages Languages
accepted accepted
by NFAs by DFAs

NFAs and DFAs have the same

computation power

85
 Step 1

Languages Languages
accepted  accepted
by NFAs by DFAs

Proof: Every DFA is trivially an NFA

A language accepted by a DFA

is also accepted by an NFA 86
 Step 2

Languages Languages
accepted  accepted
by NFAs by DFAs

Proof: Any NFA can be converted to an

equivalent DFA

A language accepted by an NFA

is also accepted by a DFA 87
 NFA to DFA
NFA M a
q0 a q1  q2
b

DFA M
q0 

88
 NFA to DFA
NFA M a
q0 a q1  q2
b

DFA M
q0  a
q1, q2 

89
 NFA to DFA
NFA M a
q0 a q1  q2
b

DFA M
q0  a
q1, q2 
b


90
 NFA to DFA
NFA M a
q0 a q1  q2
b

a
DFA M
q0  a
q1, q2 
b


91
 NFA to DFA
NFA M a
q0 a q1  q2
b

a
DFA M b

q0  a
q1, q2 
b


92
 NFA to DFA
NFA M a
q0 a q1  q2
b

a
DFA M b

q0  a
q1, q2 
b

 a, b
93
 NFA to DFA
NFA M a LM   L(M )
q0 a q1  q2
b
a
DFA M b

q0  a
q1, q2 
b

 a, b
94
 NFA to DFA: Remarks

We are given an NFA M

We want to convert it
to an equivalent DFA M 

With LM   L(M )

95
If the NFA has states

q0 , q1, q2 ,...

the DFA has states in the powerset

, q0 , q1, q1, q2 , q3 , q4 , q7 ,....

96
 Procedure NFA to DFA

1. Initial state of NFA: q0

Initial state of DFA: q0 

97
 Example
NFA M a
q0 a q1  q2
b

DFA M
q0 

98
 Procedure NFA to DFA
2. For every DFA’s state {qi , q j ,..., qm }

Compute in the NFA

 * qi , a ,
 * q j , a ,  {qi , qj ,..., qm
}
...
Add transition to DFA
 {qi , q j ,..., qm }, a   {qi , qj ,..., qm
}
99
 Exampe
NFA M a
q0 a q1  q2
b
 * (q0 , a)  {q1, q2}
DFA M 

q0  a
q1, q2 

 q0 , a   q1, q2 
100
 Procedure NFA to DFA

Repeat Step 2 for all letters in alphabet,

until
no more transitions can be added.

101
 Example
NFA M a
q0 a q1  q2
b

a
DFA M b

q0  a
q1, q2 
b

 a, b
102
 Procedure NFA to DFA
3. For any DFA state {qi , q j ,..., qm }

If some qj is a final state in the NFA

Then, {qi , q j ,..., qm }
is a final state in the DFA
4. If the NFA
accepts the empty
string, then the
vertex {q0} is also
made a final vertex.

Linz 6th, Theorem

2.2, page 62.
103
 Example
NFA M a
q0 a q1  q2 q1  F
b
a
DFA M b

q0  a
q1, q2 
b q1, q2  F 
 a, b
104
 Theorem
Take NFA M

Apply procedure to obtain DFA M

Then M and M are equivalent :

LM   LM 
105
 Finally
We have proven


Languages Languages
accepted accepted
by NFAs by DFAs

106
 We have proven


Languages Languages
accepted accepted
by NFAs by DFAs

Regular Languages

107
 We have proven


Languages Languages
accepted accepted
by NFAs by DFAs

Regular Languages Regular Languages

108
 We have proven


Languages Languages
accepted accepted
by NFAs by DFAs

Regular Languages Regular Languages

Thus, NFAs accept the regular languages

109