The 2-tag Halting Problem
This version of the halting problem is among the simplest, most-easily described undecidable decision problems:
Given an arbitrary positive integer n and a list of n+1 arbitrary words P1,P2,...,Pn,Q on the alphabet {1,2,...,n}, does repeated application of the tag operation t: ijX → XPi eventually convert Q into a word of length less than 2? That is, does the sequence Q, t1(Q), t2(Q), t3(Q), ... terminate?
Read more about this topic: Tag System
Famous quotes containing the words halting and/or problem:
“Of the two
who feign anger,
sulk in mock sleep,
and give ear
to the others halting sighs,
whos the winner?”
—Hla Stavhana (c. 50 A.D.)
“The problem ... is emblematic of what hasnt changed during the equal opportunity revolution of the last 20 years. Doors opened; opportunities evolved. Law, institutions, corporations moved forward. But many minds did not.”
—Anna Quindlen (b. 1952)