Question:medium

For $\Sigma = \{a,b\}$, let us consider the regular language $L = \{x \mid x = a^{2+3k} \text{ or } x = b^{10+12k},\; k \ge 0\}$. Which one of the following can be a pumping length (the constant guaranteed by the pumping lemma) for $L$?

Show Hint

For union of regular languages, the pumping length must be large enough to work for {all} components. Choosing a value larger than the maximum cycle length of the DFA is always safe.
Updated On: Feb 9, 2026
  • 3
  • 5
  • 9
  • 24
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Examine the form of the language. 
The language $L$ is defined as the union of two simpler languages:

\[ L_1 = \{a^{2+3k} \mid k \ge 0\}, \quad L_2 = \{b^{10+12k} \mid k \ge 0\} \]

Each language consists of strings over a single symbol whose lengths follow a fixed arithmetic pattern.
Such languages are regular, and the union of two regular languages is also regular.

Step 2: Recall what the pumping lemma guarantees.
For any regular language, there exists a pumping length $p$ such that every string $w \in L$ with $|w| \ge p$ can be split as:

\[ w = xyz \]

with the conditions $|xy| \le p$, $|y| \ge 1$, and $xy^iz \in L$ for all $i \ge 0$.
The pumping length depends on the structure of the automaton recognizing the language.

Step 3: Choose a pumping length that works for both parts.
Strings in $L_1$ repeat in steps of $3$, while strings in $L_2$ repeat in steps of $12$.
To ensure that pumping works for any sufficiently long string from either subset, the pumping length must be large enough to cover both patterns.
Selecting a value that comfortably exceeds both cycle lengths ensures validity.

Step 4: Check the given choices.
(A) 3: Too small to handle strings from $L_2$.
(B) 5: Still smaller than the shortest string length in $L_2$.
(C) 9: Less than 10, so it fails for strings like $b^{10}$.
(D) 24: Large enough to accommodate both periodic structures. This choice works.

Step 5: Final conclusion.
A pumping length that is guaranteed to satisfy the pumping lemma for the language $L$ is:

\[ \boxed{24} \]

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