GateAI
Turing Machines and Undecidability

GATE CSE 2014 Set 3 · Q16

MCQ1 markEasy

Time

Let Σ\Sigma be a finite non-empty alphabet and let 2Σ∗2^{\Sigma^*} be the power set of Σ∗\Sigma^*. Which one of the following is TRUE?

Select one answerSingle correct

Pick an option to check

Solution

Step-by-step verified solution

Official answer: C) 2 * is uncountable and * is countable

Turing Machines and Undecidability
  1. **Countability of Σ∗\Sigma^*:** For any finite non-empty alphabet Σ\Sigma, the set of all finite strings Σ∗\Sigma^* is countably infinite (it can be listed in standard lexicographical order: strings of length 0, then length 1, length 2, etc.). Hence, Σ∗\Sigma^* is countable.

  2. **Countability of 2Σ∗2^{\Sigma^*}:** 2Σ∗2^{\Sigma^*} is the power set of Σ∗\Sigma^*, which represents the set of all possible languages over Σ\Sigma. By Cantor's Theorem, the power set of any countably infinite set has cardinality 2ℵ0=c2^{\aleph_0} = \mathfrak{c}, which is strictly greater than ℵ0\aleph_0. Therefore, 2Σ∗2^{\Sigma^*} is uncountable.

Thus, 2Σ∗2^{\Sigma^*} is uncountable and Σ∗\Sigma^* is countable, which corresponds to option (C).

Try the question first, then check your work.

Think the official key or this write-up is wrong?

Report error or challenge

Examiner trap

The misconception this question tests

This Turing Machines and Undecidability previous year question is Q16 of the GATE CSE 2014 Set 3 paper. Find more GATE CSE PYQs on Turing Machines and Undecidability in Theory of Computation, or browse all GATE CSE PYQs.

Free diagnostic

Where do you stand for GATE?

Take the 20-minute diagnostic: the 3 topics that cost you the most marks, and a rank range. Or sit 5 related Turing Machines and Undecidability PYQs now with no account.

One GATE CSE PYQ every morning

An official question by email at 7 AM IST, with a link to its verified solution. Unsubscribe in one click.

Turing Machines and Undecidability in GATE CSE

Turing Machines and Undecidability has 30 GATE CSE PYQs across 20 papers from 2012 to 2026. 13 of them are 1-mark MCQs like this one, and GATE CSE 2014 Set 3 has 2.

How GATE tests Turing Machines and Undecidability

More from GATE CSE 2014 Set 3

Share this solution

A plain-text card for WhatsApp or Telegram study groups.

GateAI solution cardGATE CSE 2014 Set 3 · Q16 · MCQ

Let be a finite non-empty alphabet and let 2 * be the power set of *. Which one of the following is TRUE?

Topic-wise GATE CS PYQs with verified steps

Independent practice explanation verified by the GateAI team. GATE is conducted by the IITs; question text follows the official paper.