Can _any_ NFA be converted to a DFA?

Question

I was wondering if for every NFA there exists an equivalent DFA? I think the answer is yes. How would one prove it? Since I'm just starting up learning about Automata I'm not confused about this and especially the proof of such a statement.

Answer 1

Indeed, every NFA can be converted to an equivalent DFA. In fact, DFAs, NFAs, and regular expressions are all equivalent. One approach would be to observe the NFA and if it simple enough, determine the regular expression that it recognizes, then convert the regular expression to a DFA.

Yet, there are algorithms out there that can take a NFA and produce its equivalent DFA. For example, the powerset construction check out this link and google:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powerset_construction

Furthermore, every DFA has a unique minimum state DFA that recognizes a regular expression using a minimal number of states. This DFA state minimization also has an algorithm.

Good luck!

Answer 2

It can be done in two steps:
1) Use subset construction to construct DFA from NFA.
2) Then show for any w $\in$$\sum$$^*$,
$\hat\delta$$_D$({q},a) = $\hat\delta$$_N$(q,a). That is for any string and for any set of states they both take you to same set of states.