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I have question in learning PRG. Given that $f$ and $f_1$ are PRGs, both $\{0,1\}^n \to \{0,1\}^{2n}$.

Is $g(x) = f(x)$ xor $f_1(x)$ a PRG?

Someone told me that in this case, $g(x)$ is not a PRG, but I don't know how to prove it.

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    $\begingroup$ Is $X$ the same as $x$? Assuming so, hint: exhibit a counterexample. More precisely, assume $f$ is a PRG, and exhibit a $f_1$ that is a PRG such that $g$ is not a PRG. You won't have to stretch your imagination. $\endgroup$
    – fgrieu
    Commented Sep 14, 2018 at 7:57
  • $\begingroup$ Yes, $X$ is the same as $x$. $\endgroup$
    – Mkt
    Commented Sep 14, 2018 at 8:08
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    $\begingroup$ I might get the point that when I choose a PRG $f$ and also PRG $f_1$ same with $f$, so $g$ will always output 0, so it definitely not a PRG $\endgroup$
    – Mkt
    Commented Sep 14, 2018 at 8:43
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    $\begingroup$ @Mkt: you nailed it. Perhaps, answer your own question? $\endgroup$
    – fgrieu
    Commented Sep 14, 2018 at 9:36
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    $\begingroup$ And if you really dislike $f=f_1$, you can also choose $f_1$ as $f$ with every output bit inverted, aka $f=f_1\oplus 1^{2n}$ $\endgroup$
    – SEJPM
    Commented Sep 14, 2018 at 9:39

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Thank you everybody's help. I have known that if $f$ and $f_1$ have some relation, then $g$ can not be PRG. e.g. $f = f_1$, then we can know, after $f ⊕ f_1$, it always return 0 for $g(x)$, in this case, $g(X)$ will never be a PRG.

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