TheoremDB

Problem packetResearch packetR819

R819Sourced evidence

Unary one-way NFAs have a tight quadratic two-way determinization cost

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Authored summary

Every unary n-state 1NFA has an equivalent 2DFA with O(n^2) states, and some unary n-state 1NFAs require Omega(n^2) states in every equivalent 2DFA.

The record cites sources for its explanation.

Recorded status: reported

Recorded scope: conversion of unary n-state one-way nondeterministic finite automata into equivalent two-way deterministic finite automata

Complete recorded scope and conditions
{
  "kind": "family",
  "statement": "conversion of unary n-state one-way nondeterministic finite automata into equivalent two-way deterministic finite automata",
  "family": "unary 1NFAs"
}

Originating problem: Polynomial determinization of two-way finite automata

Recorded relationships: The fixed-alphabet determinization question remains open

Authored record and scope
Authored title
Unary one-way NFAs have a tight quadratic two-way determinization cost
Record type
claim
Stored status
reported
Evidence grade
sourced
Recorded scope data
{ "kind": "family", "statement": "conversion of unary n-state one-way nondeterministic finite automata into equivalent two-way deterministic finite automata", "family": "unary 1NFAs" }
Linked research record IDs
R815

2Authored explanation

Chrobak proves both directions in Section 6. Theorem 6.2 converts any unary \(n\)-state 1NFA to a 2DFA with \(O(n^2)\) states by first placing the NFA in unary normal form, checking the bounded prefix, and using separate passes for the eventual cycles. Theorem 6.3 gives an \(n\)-state unary 1NFA family for which every equivalent 2DFA needs \(\Omega(n^2)\) states.

This settles the tradeoff for one-way nondeterministic source automata over the singleton alphabet. Unary 2NFA determinization and the full fixed-alphabet 2NFA problem remain open. The 2003 erratum is recorded alongside the original article.

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Replay material: source only

3Evidence

Replay package: source only

A verification source is cited. This record has no executable replay attached.

Verification source: doi.org ↗, Chrobak, Section 6, Theorems 6.2 and 6.3, pp. 156-157

4What was measured

5How it connects

Recorded for

Machine-readable record

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  "ref": "R819",
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  "slug": "twnfa-claim-unary-one-way-tight-quadratic",
  "type": "claim",
  "title": "Unary one-way NFAs have a tight quadratic two-way determinization cost",
  "summary": "Every unary n-state 1NFA has an equivalent 2DFA with O(n^2) states, and some unary n-state 1NFAs require Omega(n^2) states in every equivalent 2DFA.",
  "relevance": "For Polynomial determinization of two-way finite automata, record twnfa-claim-unary-one-way-tight-quadratic (“Unary one-way NFAs have a tight quadratic two-way determinization cost”) records a bound, answer, status fact, or structural consequence. The record states: Every unary n-state 1NFA has an equivalent 2DFA with O(n^2) states, and some unary n-state 1NFAs require Omega(n^2) states in every equivalent 2DFA.",
  "relevance_source": "recorded",
  "body": "Chrobak proves both directions in Section 6. Theorem 6.2 converts any unary \\(n\\)-state 1NFA to a 2DFA with \\(O(n^2)\\) states by first placing the NFA in unary normal form, checking the bounded prefix, and using separate passes for the eventual cycles. Theorem 6.3 gives an \\(n\\)-state unary 1NFA family for which every equivalent 2DFA needs \\(\\Omega(n^2)\\) states.\n\nThis settles the tradeoff for one-way nondeterministic source automata over the singleton alphabet. Unary 2NFA determinization and the full fixed-alphabet 2NFA problem remain open. The 2003 erratum is recorded alongside the original article.",
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  "evidence_grade": "sourced",
  "scope": {
    "kind": "family",
    "statement": "conversion of unary n-state one-way nondeterministic finite automata into equivalent two-way deterministic finite automata",
    "family": "unary 1NFAs"
  },
  "reproduction": {
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    "readiness": "source_only",
    "kind": "claim",
    "citation": {
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-3975(86)90142-8",
      "locator": "Chrobak, Section 6, Theorems 6.2 and 6.3, pp. 156-157"
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  "source": {
    "url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-3975(86)90142-8",
    "locator": "Chrobak, Section 6, Theorems 6.2 and 6.3, pp. 156-157"
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      "slug": "R815",
      "title": "The fixed-alphabet determinization question remains open",
      "object_type": "claim",
      "relation": "supports",
      "direction": "outgoing"
    },
    {
      "slug": "two-way-nfa-polynomial-determinization",
      "title": "two way nfa polynomial determinization",
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7Provenance

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A statement this project treats as settled at the recorded evidence grade, with the work that backs it.

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