Problem 3 Weak collisions The cryptographic relevance of this problem will become evident when we cover hash functions in class. For each question below, provide a brief explanation and a compact formula for your answer. Let n be a positive integer. Consider an experiment involving a group of participants, where we assign each participant a number that is randomly chosen from the set {1,2,...,n} (so all these assignments are independent events). Note that we allow for the possibility of assigning the same number to two different participants. Now pick your favourite number N between 1 and n. When any one of the participants is assigned the number N, we refer to this as a weak collision (with N). In this problem, we determine how to ensure at least a 50% chance of a weak collision in our experiment. b. a. What is the probability that a given participant is assigned your favourite number N? What is the probability that a given participant is not assigned the number N? c. Suppose k people participate in the experiment (for some positive integer k). What is the probability that none of them is assigned the number N, i.e. that there is no weak collision? d. Suppose again that k people participate in the experiment (for some positive integer k). What is the probability that at least one of them is assigned the number N, i.e. that a weak collision occurs? e. Intuitively, the more people participate, the likelier we encounter a weak collision. We wish to find the minimum number K of participants required to ensure at least a 50% chance of a weak collision. Suppose n = 12. What is the threshold K in this case? Give a numerical value that is an integer. f. Generalizing part (e) from n = 12 to arbitrary n, prove that if the number of participants is at least log(2)n≈ 0.69n (where "log" refers to the natural logarithm), then there is a better than 50% chance of a weak collision. Use (without proof) the inequality 1-x 0. (3)

Elements Of Modern Algebra
8th Edition
ISBN:9781285463230
Author:Gilbert, Linda, Jimmie
Publisher:Gilbert, Linda, Jimmie
Chapter2: The Integers
Section2.7: Introduction To Coding Theory (optional)
Problem 12E: Suppose that the check digit is computed as described in Example . Prove that transposition errors...
icon
Related questions
Question

answer d,e,f

Problem 3 Weak collisions
The cryptographic relevance of this problem will become evident when we cover hash functions in
class.
For each question below, provide a brief explanation and a compact formula for your answer.
Let n be a positive integer. Consider an experiment involving a group of participants, where we
assign each participant a number that is randomly chosen from the set {1,2,...,n} (so all these
assignments are independent events). Note that we allow for the possibility of assigning the same
number to two different participants.
Now pick your favourite number N between 1 and n. When any one of the participants is assigned
the number N, we refer to this as a weak collision (with N). In this problem, we determine how
to ensure at least a 50% chance of a weak collision in our experiment.
b.
a. What is the probability that a given participant is assigned your favourite number N?
What is the probability that a given participant is not assigned the number N?
c. Suppose k people participate in the experiment (for some positive integer k). What is
the probability that none of them is assigned the number N, i.e. that there is no weak collision?
d. Suppose again that k people participate in the experiment (for some positive integer
k). What is the probability that at least one of them is assigned the number N, i.e. that a weak
collision occurs?
e. Intuitively, the more people participate, the likelier we encounter a weak collision.
We wish to find the minimum number K of participants required to ensure at least a 50%
chance of a weak collision.
Suppose n = 12. What is the threshold K in this case? Give a numerical value that is an
integer.
f. Generalizing part (e) from n = 12 to arbitrary n, prove that if the number of
participants is at least log(2)n≈ 0.69n (where "log" refers to the natural logarithm), then
there is a better than 50% chance of a weak collision. Use (without proof) the inequality
1-x<e¯¤ for x > 0.
(3)
Transcribed Image Text:Problem 3 Weak collisions The cryptographic relevance of this problem will become evident when we cover hash functions in class. For each question below, provide a brief explanation and a compact formula for your answer. Let n be a positive integer. Consider an experiment involving a group of participants, where we assign each participant a number that is randomly chosen from the set {1,2,...,n} (so all these assignments are independent events). Note that we allow for the possibility of assigning the same number to two different participants. Now pick your favourite number N between 1 and n. When any one of the participants is assigned the number N, we refer to this as a weak collision (with N). In this problem, we determine how to ensure at least a 50% chance of a weak collision in our experiment. b. a. What is the probability that a given participant is assigned your favourite number N? What is the probability that a given participant is not assigned the number N? c. Suppose k people participate in the experiment (for some positive integer k). What is the probability that none of them is assigned the number N, i.e. that there is no weak collision? d. Suppose again that k people participate in the experiment (for some positive integer k). What is the probability that at least one of them is assigned the number N, i.e. that a weak collision occurs? e. Intuitively, the more people participate, the likelier we encounter a weak collision. We wish to find the minimum number K of participants required to ensure at least a 50% chance of a weak collision. Suppose n = 12. What is the threshold K in this case? Give a numerical value that is an integer. f. Generalizing part (e) from n = 12 to arbitrary n, prove that if the number of participants is at least log(2)n≈ 0.69n (where "log" refers to the natural logarithm), then there is a better than 50% chance of a weak collision. Use (without proof) the inequality 1-x<e¯¤ for x > 0. (3)
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 5 steps

Blurred answer
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
Elements Of Modern Algebra
Elements Of Modern Algebra
Algebra
ISBN:
9781285463230
Author:
Gilbert, Linda, Jimmie
Publisher:
Cengage Learning,
College Algebra
College Algebra
Algebra
ISBN:
9781337282291
Author:
Ron Larson
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
College Algebra
College Algebra
Algebra
ISBN:
9781305115545
Author:
James Stewart, Lothar Redlin, Saleem Watson
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Linear Algebra: A Modern Introduction
Linear Algebra: A Modern Introduction
Algebra
ISBN:
9781285463247
Author:
David Poole
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Algebra and Trigonometry (MindTap Course List)
Algebra and Trigonometry (MindTap Course List)
Algebra
ISBN:
9781305071742
Author:
James Stewart, Lothar Redlin, Saleem Watson
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Algebra: Structure And Method, Book 1
Algebra: Structure And Method, Book 1
Algebra
ISBN:
9780395977224
Author:
Richard G. Brown, Mary P. Dolciani, Robert H. Sorgenfrey, William L. Cole
Publisher:
McDougal Littell