# Can we prove using pumping lemma that language F = {$a^ i b ^j c ^k$ | i, j, k ≥ 0 and if i = 1 then j = k} is not regular?

I am currently solving a problem in which we have to show that we can not prove using pumping lemma that the language mentioned in the question is not regular.Here is the full question

Consider the language F = {$$a^i b^j c^k$$ | i, j, k ≥ 0 and if i = 1 then j = k}.

a. Show that F is not regular.

b. Show that F acts like a regular language in the pumping lemma. In other words, give a pumping length p and demonstrate that F satisfies the three conditions of the pumping lemma for this value of p.

c. Explain why parts (a) and (b) do not contradict the pumping lemma.

But, I am able to prove it using pumping lemma that language is not regular. For that I take:

pumping length as 3

x:a ; y:b ; z:c

$$xy^lz$$ ∈ F for l = 1

$$xy^lz$$ ∉ F for l > 1

Is there some problem with the above shown proof or the question is wrong.

You can't do that. You have to first give a pumping length $p$ and then you have to show that there is no decomposition of the word $abc$ into $xyz$ with $|y|\ge 1$ and $|xy| \le p$ for which $xy^n z \in F$. If we take your word $abc$ and decompose as $x=\varepsilon$, $y = a$, $z=bc$ then the pumped words are $a^nbc$ and are all in $F$.