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Discrete Mathematics

GATE CSE 2015 Set 1 · Q34

MCQ2 marksMedium

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Suppose L={p,q,r,s,t}\mathcal{L} = \{p, q, r, s, t\} is a lattice represented by the following Hasse diagram: For any x,y∈Lx, y \in \mathcal{L}, not necessarily distinct, x∨yx \vee y and x∧yx \wedge y are join and meet of x,yx, y, respectively. Let L3={(x,y,z):x,y,z∈L}\mathcal{L}^3 = \{(x, y, z) : x, y, z \in \mathcal{L}\} be the set of all ordered triplets of the elements of L\mathcal{L}. Let prp_r be the probability that an element (x,y,z)∈L3(x, y, z) \in \mathcal{L}^3 chosen equiprobably satisfies x∨(y∧z)=(x∨y)∧(x∨z)x \vee (y \wedge z) = (x \vee y) \wedge (x \vee z). Then

GATE CSE 2015 Set 1 Q34 diagram

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Solution

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Official answer: D) (1)/(5) < pr < 1

Discrete Mathematics

The given Hasse diagram represents the classic non-distributive modular lattice M3M_3, where pp is the bottom element (00), tt is the top element (11), and q,r,sq, r, s are pairwise incomparable elements.

  1. Total Number of Triplets:

    ∣L3∣=53=125|\mathcal{L}^3| = 5^3 = 125
  2. Check Distributivity (pr≠1p_r \neq 1): For the triplet (x,y,z)=(q,r,s)(x, y, z) = (q, r, s):

    LHS=q∨(r∧s)=q∨p=q\text{LHS} = q \vee (r \wedge s) = q \vee p = q
    RHS=(q∨r)∧(q∨s)=t∧t=t\text{RHS} = (q \vee r) \wedge (q \vee s) = t \wedge t = t

    Since LHS≠RHS\text{LHS} \neq \text{RHS}, the distributive identity is not satisfied for all triplets, so pr<1p_r < 1.

  3. Satisfying Triplets (pr>15p_r > \frac{1}{5}):

    • Whenever x=tx = t (top element):

      t∨(y∧z)=tand(t∨y)∧(t∨z)=t∧t=tt \vee (y \wedge z) = t \quad \text{and} \quad (t \vee y) \wedge (t \vee z) = t \wedge t = t

      This holds for all 5×5=255 \times 5 = 25 pairs of (y,z)(y, z).

    • Whenever x=px = p (bottom element):

      p∨(y∧z)=y∧zand(p∨y)∧(p∨z)=y∧zp \vee (y \wedge z) = y \wedge z \quad \text{and} \quad (p \vee y) \wedge (p \vee z) = y \wedge z

      This also holds for all 5×5=255 \times 5 = 25 pairs of (y,z)(y, z).

    Since there are already at least 25+25=5025 + 25 = 50 distinct triplets satisfying the condition (and others where y=zy = z, x=yx = y, etc.), the number of satisfying triplets is strictly greater than 2525.

    Therefore:

    pr>25125=15p_r > \frac{25}{125} = \frac{1}{5}

Hence, 15<pr<1\frac{1}{5} < p_r < 1, which corresponds to option (D).

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This Discrete Mathematics previous year question is Q34 of the GATE CSE 2015 Set 1 paper. Find more GATE CSE PYQs on Discrete Mathematics in Engineering Mathematics, or browse all GATE CSE PYQs.

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GateAI solution cardGATE CSE 2015 Set 1 · Q34 · MCQ

Suppose L = {p, q, r, s, t} is a lattice represented by the following Hasse diagram: For any x, y ∈ L, not necessarily distinct, x y and x y are join and meet of x, y, respectively. Let L3 = {(x, y, z) : x, y, z ∈ L} be the set of all ordered triplets of the elements of L. Let pr be the probability that an element (x, y, z) ∈ L3 chosen equiprobably satisfies x (y z) = (x y) (x z). Then

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