732 views

Let a decision problem $X$ be defined as follows:

$X$: Given a Turing machine $M$ over $\Sigma$ and any word $w \in \Sigma$, does $M$ loop forever on $w$?

You may assume that the halting problem of Turing machine is undecidable but partially decidable.

1. Show that $X$ is undecidable
2. Show that $X$ is not even partially decidable
edited | 732 views
0
sir halting problem is undecidable but semi deciadable. i.e recursive enumerable. and the given problem is complement of halting problem. and we know recursive enumerable is not closed under complementation. then how can we say that the answer is not even semi decidablde

The question asks if $M$ loop forever on $w$. If $M$ loop forever on $w, M$ wouldn't halt on $w$. And if $M$ doesn't halt on $w, M$ should loop forever. So, this problem is exactly same as asking if "$M$ doesn't halt on $w$", which is the complement of halting problem and is not even partially decidable. So, $X$ is not even partially decidable.
edited by
0
Can you please explain the second part in more detail. What does it actually mean to be partially decidable? Can you just elaborate a little ? thanks !!!
+15

Consider a decision problem. A decision can be either "yes" or "no". So. we can divide the problem cases to 2 parts- one where the answer is "yes", and one where the answer is "no".

Now, if the "yes" instance of the problem is given, suppose we (our TM) can always say "yes", then the problem is partially decidable (its language is recursively enumerable).

If we can also say "no" for all "no" instances of the problem, then the problem is decidable (its language is recursive).

NB: TM for a partially decidable but not decidable problem, will go to an infinite loop for SOME "no" instances. For some "no" instances it may say "no". (Obviously, it won't say "yes" for any no" instance)

+1
thanks !!!
+1
Sir there partially decidable is same as undecidable
+8
No. Some undecidable problems are partially decidable- example halting problem. All decidable problems are also partially decidable. Partially decidable set is a superset of decidable which also includes some undecidable problems- for which we have solution for "yes" instances at least.
0

Hi @GO Seniors,

X: Given a Turing machine M over Σ and any word w∈Σ, does M loop forever on w?

Here also we have two cases -->

if $w\in \sum$ then answer of  $X$ is NO. But

if  $w\notin \sum$ then we can not say anything.

then, Why is it not considered in partially decidable class ?