21CS51 Dayananda Sagar University • Computer Science & Engineering (Semester 5)

Automata Theory and Computability

💡 DSU Exam Strategy & Guidance

DFA/NFA conversions, Regular Expressions, Pumping Lemma for Regular Languages, Context-Free Grammars (CFG), Pushdown Automata (PDA), and Turing Machines.

High-Yield Passing Strategy: Draw clear state transition diagrams for DFA and construct PDA state tables for {a^n b^n | n >= 1}.
Most Repeated Question Topics:
NFA to DFA Subset ConstructionPumping Lemma for Regular Languages ProofPushdown Automata (PDA) DesignTuring Machine for Palindromes / AdditionChomsky Normal Form (CNF) Conversion

🔥 Most Predictable Exam Questions (2)

Guaranteed Every Year 8 Marks Module 2: Regular Languages & Properties

Q1. State and prove the Pumping Lemma for Regular Languages. Use it to prove that the language L = { a^n b^n | n >= 1 } is NOT regular.

Key Points: State lemma: for any regular language L with pumping length p, string s with |s| >= p can be split s = xyz where |xy| <= p, |y| >= 1, and xy^i z in L for all i >= 0. Choose s = a^p b^p. Substring y must contain only a-symbols (y = a^k, k>=1). Pump i=0 => xy^0 z = a^(p-k) b^p where number of a != number of b, contradiction.

95% Probability 8 Marks Module 3: Pushdown Automata

Q2. Design a Pushdown Automata (PDA) to accept the language L = { w c w^R | w in {a, b}* } by empty store (null stack). Provide state transition table and instant description for string "ab c ba".

Key Points: Push matching symbols into stack while reading w in state q0. On reading separator symbol c, transition to state q1 without changing stack. In state q1, pop matching symbols for w^R. On reaching end of input ($) with empty stack (Z0), pop Z0 to accept.

🎓 Open Source Courses & Video Playlists (3)

MIT OpenCourseWare

MIT 18.404J: Theory of Computation (Prof. Michael Sipser)

Watch Course ↗
YouTube (Gate Smashers)

Gate Smashers: Theory of Computation (TOC)

Watch Course ↗
YouTube (Neso Academy)

Neso Academy: Theory of Computation

Watch Course ↗

📄 Previous Year Question Papers (2)

END_SEM • 2024

End Semester Exam 2024

View PDF ↗
END_SEM • 2023

End Semester Exam 2023

View PDF ↗

Turn 21CS51 Notes into AI Flashcards

Upload your Automata Theory and Computability lecture slides to generate spaced repetition study cards in seconds.

Start Free →
MindFlow
DSU Hub Sign In

Structured Active Recall for Complex Coursework.

Turn your lecture PDFs into flashcards, adaptive quizzes, and spaced repetition reviews in seconds.

Start Free Sprint →