Decidability of the Silly Post Correspondence Problem

How can we show that the silly Post Correspondence Problem (sPCP) is decidable?

To show that the Silly Post Correspondence Problem (sPCP) is decidable, we need to demonstrate that there exists an algorithm that can determine whether a given instance of the problem has a solution or not. The sPCP involves a collection of dominos, each with a top string and a bottom string. The goal is to find a sequence of dominos such that concatenating the corresponding top strings and bottom strings results in the same string. Decidability of sPCP can be proven by constructing a deterministic Turing machine that systematically checks all possible sequences of dominos and verifies if there exists a solution. Since the length of the top string is always equal to the length of the bottom string for each domino, the Turing machine can efficiently compare the concatenation of corresponding strings. By examining all possible combinations, the Turing machine can either find a valid sequence of dominos that satisfies the sPCP or conclude that no solution exists. Therefore, sPCP is decidable.

Understanding the Silly Post Correspondence Problem (sPCP)

The Silly Post Correspondence Problem (sPCP) is a variation of the Post Correspondence Problem (PCP) that involves a set of dominos, each containing a top string and a bottom string. The objective of sPCP is to determine whether there exists a sequence of dominos that can be arranged in a way that concatenating the corresponding top and bottom strings results in the same string. In sPCP, the key restriction is that the length of the top string of each domino is equal to the length of the bottom string of that same domino. This constraint simplifies the problem and allows for the formulation of an algorithm to decide the decidability of sPCP.

Decidability of Silly Post Correspondence Problem

To prove the decidability of the Silly Post Correspondence Problem, we can utilize a deterministic Turing machine to systematically examine all possible combinations of dominos. The Turing machine can construct sequences of dominos by concatenating the corresponding strings and compare them to determine if a valid solution exists. The equality in length between the top and bottom strings of dominos is crucial in ensuring that the Turing machine can efficiently verify the concatenations. This property eliminates the need for complex computations and allows for a straightforward comparison process. By exhaustively exploring all potential sequences, the Turing machine can definitively ascertain whether the sPCP instance has a solution or not. If a satisfying sequence is found, it indicates that the sPCP is decidable. On the other hand, if no valid arrangement is detected after thorough evaluation, the conclusion is that the sPCP instance is undecidable. In conclusion, the Silly Post Correspondence Problem is decidable due to the specific characteristics of the problem that enable the development of an algorithmic approach for determining its decidability.
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