Module 1
Module 1
DR. PAVITHRA R.
52258
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR – SAS
[email protected]
Discrete Mathematics
▪Discrete Mathematics deals with the study of Mathematical structures.
▪It deals with objects that can have distinct separate values. It is also called Decision
Mathematics or finite Mathematics.
▪It is the study of mathematical structures that are fundamentally discrete in nature and it does
not require the notion of continuity.
▪Objects that are studied in discrete mathematics are largely countable sets such as formal
languages, integers, finite graphs, and so on.
▪Due to its application in Computer Science, it has become popular in recent decades. It is used
in programming languages, software development, cryptography, algorithms etc.
▪Discrete Mathematics covers some important concepts such as set theory, graph theory, logic,
permutation and combination as well.
Mathematical Statements
Investigate!
While walking through a fictional forest, you encounter three trolls guarding a bridge. Each is
either a knight, who always tells the truth, or a knave, who always lies. The trolls will not let you
pass until you correctly identify each as either a knight or a knave. Each troll makes a single
statement:
Troll 1: If I am a knave, then there are exactly two knights here.
Troll 2: Troll 1 is lying.
Troll 3: Either we are all knaves or at least one of us is a knight.
Which troll is which?
Propositions
▪ A declarative sentence which is true or false, but not both, is called a proposition (or statement)
▪ Sentences which are exclamatory, interrogative or imperative in nature are not propositions
▪Lower case letters such as 𝑝, 𝑞, 𝑟, … are used to denote propositions
▪For example,
1. New Delhi is the capital city of India
2. How beautiful is Rose?
3. 2+2=3
4. What time is it?
5. 𝑥+𝑦=𝑧
6. Take a cup of coffee
(2), (4) and (6) are obviously not propositions as they are not declarative in nature
(1) and (3) are propositions, but (5) is not
Truth value of proposition
▪ If proposition is true, we say that the truth value of that proposition is true, denoted by 𝑇 or 1.
▪If the proposition is false, we say that the truth value of the proposition is false, denoted by 𝐹 or 0.
≡~ ~𝑝 ∨ 𝐹 ∧ 𝑝∨𝑞
≡ ~(~𝑝) ∧ (𝑝 ∨ 𝑞), by identity law
≡𝑝∧ 𝑝∨𝑞
≡ 𝑝, by absorption law
𝑖𝑖 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 → 𝑟 ≡ (𝑝 → 𝑟) ∧ (𝑞 → 𝑟)
Solution
𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 → 𝑟 ≡ (𝑝 → 𝑟) ∧ (𝑞 → 𝑟)
⇒ ~(𝑝 ∨ 𝑞) ∨ 𝑟 ≡ (~𝑝 ∨ 𝑟) ∧ (~𝑞 ∨ 𝑟)
The dual of equivalence is ~(𝑝 ∧ 𝑞) ∧ 𝑟 ≡ (~𝑝 ∧ 𝑟) ∨ (~𝑞 ∧ 𝑟)
Proof:
L.H.S ≡ ~(𝑝 ∧ 𝑞) ∧ 𝑟
≡ ~𝑝 ∨ ~𝑞 ∧ r, by De Morgan’s Law
≡ ~𝑝 ∧ 𝑟 ∨ (~𝑞 ∧ 𝑟), by distribution law
Hence Proved
(iii) 𝑝 ∧ 𝑝 ⟷ 𝑞 →𝑞≡𝑇
Solution:
𝑝∧ 𝑝⟷𝑞 →𝑞≡𝑇
⇒ 𝑝∧ ~𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 ∧ ~𝑞 ∨ 𝑝 →𝑞≡𝑇
⇒~ 𝑝∧ ~𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 ∧ ~𝑞 ∨ 𝑝 ∨𝑞 ≡ 𝑇
Dual of this~ 𝑝 ∨ ~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∨ ~𝑞 ∧ 𝑝 ∧𝑞 ≡𝐹
L.H.S ≡ ~ (𝑝 ∨ ~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ) ∨ ~𝑞 ∧ 𝑝 ∧ 𝑞, by associative law
Solution
𝑝 ∨ ~𝑝 → 𝑞 ∨ 𝑞 → ~𝑟 ≡ 𝑝 ∨ (𝑝 ∨ (𝑞 ∨ (𝑞 → ~𝑟)))
≡ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 ∨ ~𝑞 ∨ ~𝑟
≡ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 ∨ ~𝑞 ∨ ~𝑟
≡𝑇
Since we want it as DNF
≡ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 ∨ ~𝑞 ∨ ~𝑟
≡ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 ∨ ~𝑞 ∨ ~𝑟
Find the conjunction normal forms of the following statements:
𝑖 𝑝∧~ 𝑞∧𝑟 ∨ 𝑝→𝑞
𝑖𝑖 𝑞 ∨ 𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ ~((𝑝 ∨ 𝑟) ∧ 𝑞)
𝑖𝑖𝑖 (𝑝 ∧ ~(𝑞 ∧ 𝑟)) ∨ (𝑝 → 𝑞)
Solution
𝑖 𝑝∧~ 𝑞∧𝑟 ∨ 𝑝 → 𝑞 ≡ (𝑝 ∧ (~𝑞 ∨ ~𝑟)) ∨ (~𝑝 ∨ 𝑞)
≡ 𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∨ 𝑝 ∧ ~𝑟 ∨ ~𝑝 ∨ 𝑞
≡ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑝 ∧ 𝑝 ∨ ~𝑟 ∧ ~𝑞 ∨ 𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∨ ~𝑟 ∨ ~𝑝 ∨ 𝑞
≡ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑝 ∧ 𝑝 ∨ ~𝑟 ∧ ~𝑞 ∨ 𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∨ ~𝑟 ∨ ~𝑝 ∨ 𝑞
≡ 𝑝 ∧ 𝑝 ∨ ~𝑟 ∧ 𝑝 ∨ ~𝑞 ∧ ~𝑞 ∨ 𝑞 ∨ ~𝑝 ∨ ~𝑟
≡ 𝑝 ∧ 𝑝 ∨ ~𝑟 ∧ 𝑝 ∨ ~𝑞 ∧ 𝑇 ∨ ~𝑝 ∨ ~𝑟
≡ 𝑝 ∧ 𝑝 ∨ ~𝑟 ∧ 𝑝 ∨ ~𝑞
(ii) 𝑞 ∨ 𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ ~((𝑝 ∨ 𝑟) ∧ 𝑞) ≡ 𝑞 ∧ ~((𝑝 ∨ 𝑟) ∧ 𝑞), by absorption law
≡ 𝑞 ∧ ~((𝑝 ∨ 𝑟) ∧ 𝑞)
≡ 𝑞 ∧ ~ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑟 ∨ ~𝑞
≡𝑞∧ ~𝑝 ∧ ~𝑟 ∨ ~𝑞
≡ 𝑞 ∧ (~𝑝 ∨ ~𝑞) ∧ (~𝑟 ∨ ~𝑞)
Obtain the principal disjunctive normal forms and the principal conjunctive normal forms of the
following statements using truth tables:
(i) ~𝑝 ∨ ~𝑞 → (𝑝 ⟷ ~𝑞) (ii) 𝑝 ∨ (~𝑝 → (𝑞 ∨ (~𝑞 → 𝑟))) (iii) (𝑝 → (𝑞 ∧ 𝑟)) ∧ (~𝑝 → (~𝑞 ∧ ~𝑟))
Procedure:
• If the given statement is not a contradiction, then the disjunction of the minterms corresponding to
the rows of the truth table having truth value 𝑇 is the required PDNF, as it is equivalent to the given
statement.
• For example if the truth value 𝑇 of the statement corresponds to the truth value 𝑇, 𝑇 and 𝐹 for the
variables 𝑝, 𝑞 and 𝑟 respectively, then the corresponding minterm is taken as 𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ ~𝑟
•If the given statement A is not a tautology, we can find the equivalent PCNF as follows:
•We write down the PDNF of ~𝐴, which is the disjunction of the minterms corresponding to the rows
of the truth table having the truth value 𝐹. Then if we find ~ ~𝐴 = 𝐴, we will get the required PCNF
of A.
•Equivalently the PCNF is the conjunction of maxterms corresponding to the F values of A. But the max
terms corresponding to T, T, F value of 𝑝, 𝑞, and 𝑟 is ~𝑝 ∨ ~𝑞 ∨ 𝑟
(i) ~𝑝 ∨ ~𝑞 → (𝑝 ⟷ ~𝑞)
𝑝 𝑞 ~𝑝 ~𝑞 ~𝑝 ∨ ~𝑞 ≡ 𝑎 𝑝 ⟷ ~𝑞 ≡ 𝑏 𝑎→𝑏
T T F F F F T
T F F T T T T
F T T F T T T
F F T T T F F
PDNF of ~𝑝 ∨ ~𝑞 → 𝑝 ⟷ ~𝑞 ≡ 𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∨ 𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∨ 𝑞 ∧ ~𝑝
Now PDNF of ~ 𝑎 → 𝑏 ≡ ~𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞
PCNF of (𝑎 → 𝑏) ≡ ~(~𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞) ≡ (𝑝 ∨ 𝑞)
Without constructing the truth tables, find the principal disjunctive normal forms of the following statements:
𝑖 ~𝑝 → 𝑞 ∧ 𝑞 ⟷ 𝑝
𝑖𝑖 𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∨ ~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∨ 𝑞 ∧ 𝑟
𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑝 ∧ ~(𝑞 ∧ 𝑟) ∨ (𝑝 → 𝑞)
𝑖𝑣 𝑞 ∨ 𝑝 ∧ 𝑟 ∧ ~((𝑝 ∨ 𝑟) ∧ 𝑞)
Solution:
𝑖 ~𝑝 → 𝑞 ∧ 𝑞 ⟷ 𝑝 ≡ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ 𝑝 ∨ ~𝑞 ∧ ~𝑝
≡ (𝑝 ∨ 𝑞) ∧ ((𝑝 ∧ 𝑞) ∨ ~(𝑝 ∨ 𝑞))
≡ ( 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 ∧ 𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ) ∨ ((𝑝 ∨ 𝑞) ∧ ~(𝑝 ∨ 𝑞))
≡ (𝑝 ∨ 𝑞) ∧ (𝑝 ∧ 𝑞) ∨ 𝐹
≡ (𝑝 ∧ (𝑝 ∧ 𝑞)) ∨ (𝑞 ∧ (𝑝 ∧ 𝑞))
≡ 𝑝∧𝑞 ∨ 𝑝∧𝑞
≡𝑝∧𝑞
𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑝 ∧ ~ 𝑞 ∧ 𝑟 ∨ 𝑝 → 𝑞 ≡ (𝑝 ∧ (~𝑞 ∨ ~𝑟)) ∨ (~𝑝 ∨ 𝑞)
≡ 𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∨ 𝑝 ∧ ~𝑟 ∨ ~𝑝 ∨ 𝑞
≡ (𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞) ∨ (𝑝 ∧ ~𝑟) ∨ (~𝑝 ∧ 𝒒 ∨ ~𝒒 ) ∨ (𝑞 ∧ (𝒑 ∨ ~𝒑))
≡ (𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞) ∨ (𝑝 ∧ ~𝑟) ∨ (~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∨ ~𝑞 ) ∨ (𝑞 ∧ (𝑝 ∨ ~𝑝))
≡ 𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∨ 𝑝 ∧ ~𝑟 ∨ ~𝒑 ∧ 𝒒 ∨ ~𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∨ 𝑞 ∧ 𝑝 ∨ 𝒒 ∧ ~𝒑
≡ (𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞) ∨ (𝑝 ∧ ~𝑟) ∨ (~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞) ∨ (~𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞) ∨ (𝑞 ∧ 𝑝)
≡ ((𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞) ∧ (𝒓 ∨ ~𝒓)) ∨ ( 𝑝 ∧ ~𝑟 ∧ (𝒒 ∨ ~𝒒)) ∨ ( ~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ 𝒓 ∨ ~𝒓 ) ∨ ( ~𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∧ (𝒓 ∨ ~𝒓)) ∨
((𝑞 ∧ 𝑝) ∧ (𝒓 ∨ ~𝒓))
≡ (𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∧ 𝑟) ∨ (𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∧ ~𝑟) ∨ (𝑝 ∧ ~𝑟 ∧ 𝑞) ∨ (𝑝 ∧ ~𝑟 ∧ ~𝑞) ∨ (~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ 𝑟) ∨ (~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ ~𝑟) ∨
(~𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∧ 𝑟) ∨ (~𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∧ ~𝑟) ∨ (𝑞 ∧ 𝑝 ∧ 𝑟) ∨ (𝑞 ∧ 𝑝 ∧ ~𝑟)
≡ (𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∧ 𝑟) ∨ (𝒑 ∧ ~𝒒 ∧ ~𝒓) ∨ (𝒑 ∧ 𝒒 ∧ ~𝒓) ∨ (𝒑 ∧ ~𝒒 ∧ ~𝒓) ∨ (~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ 𝑟) ∨ (~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ ~𝑟) ∨
(~𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∧ 𝑟) ∨ (~𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∧ ~𝑟) ∨ (𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ 𝑟) ∨ (𝒑 ∧ 𝒒 ∧ ~𝒓)
≡ (𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∧ 𝑟) ∨ (𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∧ ~𝑟) ∨ (𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∧ ~𝑟) ∨ (~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ 𝑟) ∨ (~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ ~𝑟) ∨ (~𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∧ 𝑟) ∨
(~𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∧ ~𝑟) ∨ (𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ 𝑟)
𝑖𝑣 𝑞 ∨ 𝑝 ∧ 𝑟 ∧ ~( 𝑝 ∨ 𝑟 ∧ 𝑞)
≡ 𝑞∨ 𝑝∧𝑟 ∧ ~ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑟 ∨ ~𝑞
≡ 𝑞∨ 𝑝∧𝑟 ∧ ~𝑝 ∧ ~𝑟 ∨ ~𝑞
≡ (𝑞 ∧ ~𝑝 ∧ ~𝑟 ) ∨ ( 𝑝 ∧ 𝑟 ∧ (~𝑝 ∧ ~𝑟)) ∨ (𝑞 ∧ ~𝑞) ∨ ((𝑝 ∧ 𝑟) ∧ ~𝑞)
≡ ~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ ~𝑟 ∨ 𝑝 ∧ ~𝑝 ∧ 𝑟 ∧ ~𝑟 ∨ 𝐹 ∨ 𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∧ 𝑟
≡ ~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ ~𝑟 ∨ 𝐹 ∨ 𝐹 ∨ 𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∧ 𝑟
≡ ~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ ~𝑟 ∨ 𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞 ∧ 𝑟
Without constructing the truth tables, find the principal conjunctive normal forms of the following statements:
𝑖 (𝑝 ∧ 𝑞) ∨ (~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ 𝑟)
𝑖𝑖 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 ∧ 𝑟 ∨ ~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∨ ~𝑟
(𝑖𝑖𝑖)(𝑝 ∨ ~(𝑞 ∨ 𝑟)) ∨ (((𝑝 ∧ 𝑞) ∧ ~𝑟) ∧ 𝑝)
𝑖𝑣 𝑝 → 𝑞 ∧ 𝑟 ∧ ~𝑝 → ~𝑞 ∧ ~𝑟
Solution:
𝑖 𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∨ ~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ 𝑟 ≡ 𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∨ ~𝑝 ∧ 𝑝∧𝑞 ∨𝑞 ∧ 𝑝∧𝑞 ∨𝑟
≡ 𝑝 ∨ ~𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ∨ ~𝑝 ∧ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 ∧ 𝑞 ∨ 𝑞 ∧ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑟 ∧ 𝑞 ∨ 𝑟
≡ 𝑇 ∧ 𝑞 ∨ ~𝑝 ∧ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 ∧ 𝑞 ∧ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑟 ∧ 𝑞 ∨ 𝑟
≡ ~𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 ∨ 𝑟 ∧ ~𝑟 ∧ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 ∨ 𝑟 ∧ ~𝑟 ∧ 𝑞 ∨ 𝑝 ∧ ~𝑝 ∧ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑟 ∨ 𝑞 ∧ ~𝑞 ∧ 𝑞 ∨ 𝑟 ∨ 𝑝 ∧ ~𝑝
•Mathematical logic is often used for logical proofs. Proofs are valid arguments that determine
the truth values of mathematical statements.
•An argument is a sequence of statements.
•The last statement is the conclusion and all its preceding statements are called premises (or
hypothesis). The symbol “∴”, (read therefore) is placed before the conclusion.
•A valid argument is one where the conclusion follows from the truth values of the premises.
•Rules of Inference provide the templates or guidelines for constructing valid arguments from the
statements that we already have.
Rules of Inference
Rule in tautological form Name of the rule
𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 → 𝑝 (𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ⇒ 𝑝) Simplification
𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 → 𝑞(𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ⇒ 𝑞)
𝑝 → (𝑝 ∨ 𝑞) Addition
𝑞 → (𝑝 ∧ 𝑞)
𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 → 𝑝∧𝑞 Conjunction
𝑝∧ 𝑝→𝑞 →𝑞 Modus Ponens
~𝑞 ∧ 𝑝 → 𝑞 → ~𝑟 Modus tollens
𝑝→𝑞 ∧ 𝑞→𝑟 → 𝑝→𝑟 Hypothetical Syllogism
𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 ∧ ~𝑝 → 𝑞 Disjunctive Syllogism
𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 ∧ ~𝑝 ∨ 𝑟 → 𝑞∨𝑟 Resolution
𝑝∨𝑟 ∧ 𝑝→𝑟 ∧ 𝑞 →𝑟 →𝑟 Dilemma
Rules of Inference
Rule Tautology Name of the rule
𝑃→𝑞 ( 𝑝 → 𝑞) ∧ 𝑝 ⇒ 𝑞 Modus Ponens
𝑞 (Law of Detachment)
----------
∴𝑞
𝑃→𝑞 𝑝 → 𝑞 ∧ ~𝑞 ⇒ (~𝑝) Modus tollens
~𝑞
----------
∴ ~𝑝
𝑃→𝑞 𝑝 → 𝑞 ∧ 𝑞 → 𝑟 ⇒ (𝑝 → 𝑟) Hypothetical Syllogism
𝑞→𝑟 (Transititvity)
----------
∴𝑝→𝑟
𝑝∨𝑞 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 ∧ ~𝑝 ⇒ 𝑞 Disjuntive Syllogism
~𝑝
---------
∴𝑞
Rules of Inference
Rule Tautology Name of the rule
𝑝 𝑝⇒𝑝∨𝑞 Addition
----------
∴𝑝∨𝑞
𝑝∧𝑞 𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ⇒ (𝑝) Simplification
----------
∴𝑝
𝑝 𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 ⇒𝑝∧𝑞 Conjunction
𝑞
----------
∴𝑝∧𝑞
𝑝∨𝑞 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 ∧ (~𝑝 ∨ 𝑟) ⇒ (𝑞 ∨ 𝑟) Resolution
~𝑝 ∨ 𝑟
---------
∴𝑞∨𝑟
Rules of Inference
Rule Tautology Name of the rule
(𝑝 → 𝑞) ∧ (𝑟 → 𝑠) (𝑝 → 𝑞) ∧ (𝑟 → 𝑠) ∧ Destructive Dilemma
~𝑞 ∨ ~𝑠 ~𝑞 ∨ ~𝑠 ⇒ ~𝑝 ∨ ~𝑟
--------------------------
∴ ~𝑝 ∨ ~𝑟
(𝑝 → 𝑞) ∧ (𝑟 → 𝑠) (𝑝 → 𝑞) ∧ (𝑟 → 𝑠) ∧ Constructive Dilemma
p∨𝑟 𝑝∨r ⇒q∨𝑠
--------------------------
∴𝑞∨𝑠
Examples:
Addition:
Let 𝑃 be the proposition, “He studies very hard” is true
Therefore – “Either he studies very hard or not he is a very bad student”. Here Q is the proposition “he is a very
bad student” P ∨ 𝑄
Conjunction:
Let 𝑃 – “He studies very hard”, 𝑄 – “He is the best boy in the class”
Therefore – “He studies very hard and he is the best boy in the class” 𝑃 ∧ 𝑄
Simplification:
“He studies very hard and he is the best boy in the class” 𝑃 ∧ 𝑄
Therefore – “He studies very hard” 𝑃
Modus Ponens:
“If you have a password, then you can log on to facebook” 𝑃 → 𝑄
“You have a password”, 𝑃
Therefore – “You can log on to facebook”
Modus Tollens:
“If you have a password, then you can log on to facebook”, 𝑃 → 𝑄
“You cannot log on to facebook” ~𝑄
Therefore – “You do not have password” ~𝑃
Disjunctive Syllogism:
“The ice cream is not vanilla flavored”, ~𝑃
“The ice cream is either vanilla flavored or chocolate flavored” 𝑃 ∨ 𝑄
Therfore – “The ice cream is chocolate flavored” 𝑄
Hypothetical Syllogism:
“If it rains, I shall not go to school” 𝑃 → 𝑄
“If I don’t go to school, I won’t need to do homework” 𝑄 → 𝑅
Therefore - “If it rains, I won’t need to do homework” 𝑃 → 𝑅
Constructive Dilemma:
“If it rains, I will take a leave” 𝑃 → 𝑄
“If it is hot outside, I will go for a shower” 𝑅 → 𝑆
“Either it will rain or it is hot outside” 𝑃 ∨ 𝑅
Therefore – “I will take a leave or I will go for a shower” 𝑄 ∨ 𝑆
Destructive Dilemma:
“If it rains, I will take a leave” 𝑃 → 𝑄
“If it is hot outside, I will go for a shower” 𝑅 → 𝑆
“Either it will not take a leave or I will not go for a shower” ~Q∨ ~𝑆
Therefore – “Either It does not rain or it is not hot outside” ~𝑃 ∨ ~𝑅
Form of Argument
• When a set of given statements constitute a valid argument, the argument form will be presented as in the following
example:
• “If it rains heavily, then traveling will be difficult”.
• “If students arrive on time, then travelling was not difficult”.
• “They arrived on time. Therefore, it did not rain heavily”
∀𝑥 𝐻 𝑥 →𝑀 𝑥 ∧𝐻 𝑠 ⇒𝑀 𝑠
The derivation of the proof is as follows:
Step No. Statement Reason
1 ∀𝑥 (𝐻 𝑥 → 𝑀(𝑥)) 𝑃
2 𝐻 𝑆 → 𝑀(𝑆) 𝑈𝑆 , 2
3 𝐻(𝑆) P
4 𝑀(𝑆) T, 2, 3, Modus Ponen
Problem:
1. Find whether the conclusion 𝐶 follows from the premises 𝐻1 , 𝐻2 , 𝐻3 in the following cases, using
truth table technique:
𝑖 𝐻1 : ~𝑝, 𝐻2 : 𝑝 ∨ 𝑝, C: p ∧ 𝑞
𝑖𝑖 𝐻1 : 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞, 𝐻2 : 𝑝 → 𝑟, 𝐻3 : 𝑞 → 𝑟, 𝐶: 𝑟
Solution
(i) 𝑝 𝑞 𝐻1 ≡ ~𝑝 𝐻2 ≡ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 𝐻1 ∧ 𝐻2 𝐶 ≡𝑝∧𝑞
T T F T F T
T F F T F F
F T T T T F
F F T F F F
𝐻1 and 𝐻2 and hence 𝐻1 ∧ 𝐻2 are true in the third row, in which 𝐶 is false.
Hence 𝐶 does not follow from 𝐻1 and 𝐻2
(ii) 𝐻1 : 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞, 𝐻2 : 𝑝 → 𝑟, 𝐻3 : 𝑞 → 𝑟, 𝐶: 𝑟
𝑝 𝑞 𝑟 𝐻1 ≡ 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 𝐻2 ≡ 𝑝 → 𝑟 𝐻3 ≡ 𝑞 → 𝑟 𝐻1 ∧ 𝐻2 ∧ 𝐻3
T T T T T T T
T T F T F F F
T F T T T T T
T F F T F T F
F T T T T T T
F T F T T F F
F F T F T T F
F F F F T T F
𝐻1 ∧ 𝐻2 ∧ 𝐻3 are true in first, third and fifth rows in which 𝑟 is also true
Hence 𝐶 follows from 𝐻1 , 𝐻2 and 𝐻3
2. Show that (𝑡 ∧ 𝑠) can be derived form the premises 𝑝 → 𝑞, 𝑞 → ~𝑟, 𝑟, 𝑝 ∨ (𝑡 ∧ 𝑠).
Solution:
Step No. Statement Reason
1. 𝑝→𝑞 Rule P
2. 𝑞 → ~𝑟 Rule P
3. 𝑝 → ~𝑟 𝑇, 1, 2 and Hypothetical Syllogism
4. 𝑟 → ~𝑝 T, 3 and Contrapositive (𝑝 → 𝑞 ≡ ~𝑞 → ~𝑝)
5. r Rule P
6. ~𝑝 𝑇, 4, 5 and Modus ponens
7. 𝑝 ∨ (𝑡 ∧ 𝑠) Rule P
8. 𝑡∧𝑠 𝑇, 6, 7 and Disjunctive Syllogism
3. Show that (𝑎 ∨ 𝑏) follows logically from the premises 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 , 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 → ~𝑟, ~𝑟 → (𝑠 ∧ ~𝑡)
and 𝑠 ∧ ~𝑡 → (𝑎 ∨ 𝑏).
Solution
Step No. Statement Reason
1. 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 → ~𝑟 Rule P
2. ~𝑟 → (𝑠 ∧ ~𝑡) Rule P
3. 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 → (𝑠 ∧ ~𝑡) T, 1, 2 and Hypothetical Syllogism
4. 𝑝∨𝑞 Rule P
5. 𝑠 ∧ ~𝑡 T, 3, 4 and Modus Ponen
6. 𝑆 ∧ ~𝑡 → (𝑎 ∨ 𝑏) Rule P
7. 𝑎∨𝑏 T, 5, 6 and Modus Ponen
4. Show that 𝑝 → 𝑞 ∧ 𝑟 → 𝑠 , 𝑞 → 𝑡 ∧ 𝑠 → 𝑢 , ~(𝑡 ∧ 𝑢) and 𝑝 → 𝑟 ⇒ ~𝑝.
Solution: Step No. Statement Reason
1. (𝑝 → 𝑞) ∧ (𝑟 → 𝑠) Rule P
2. 𝑝→𝑞 T, 1 and simplification
3. 𝑟→𝑠 T, 1 and simplification
4. (𝑞 → 𝑡) ∧ (𝑠 → 𝑢) Rule P
5. 𝑞→𝑡 T, 1 and simplification
6. 𝑠→𝑢 T, 1 and simplification
7. 𝑝→𝑡 T, 2, 5 and hypothetical syllogism
8. 𝑟→𝑢 T, 3, 6 and hypothetical syllogism
9. 𝑝→𝑟 Rule P
10 𝑝→𝑢 T, 9, 8 and Hypothetical syllogism
11. ~𝑡 → ~𝑝 T, 7 and contrapositive
12. ~𝑢 → ~𝑝 T, 10and contrapositive
13. ~𝑡 ∨ ~𝑢 → ~𝑝 T, 11, 12 and 𝑎 → 𝑏 , 𝑐 → 𝑏 ⇒ 𝑎 ∨ 𝑏 → 𝑏
14. ~ 𝑡 ∧ 𝑢 → ~𝑝 T, 13 and De Morgan’s Las
15. ~(𝑡 ∧ 𝑢) Rule P
16. ~𝑝 T, 14, 15 and Modus Ponens
Homework
5. Show that 𝑎 → 𝑏 ∧ 𝑎 → 𝑐 , ~ 𝑏 ∧ 𝑐 , 𝑑 ∨ 𝑎 ⇒ 𝑑
6. Give a direct proof for the implication 𝑝 → 𝑞 → 𝑠 , ~𝑟 ∨ 𝑝 , 𝑞 ⇒ (𝑟 → 𝑠)
Solution
Step No. Statement Reason
1. (~𝑟 ∨ 𝑝) Rule P
2. 𝑟→𝑝 T, 1 and equivalence of (1)
3. 𝑝 → (𝑞 → 𝑠) Rule P
4. 𝑟 → (𝑞 → 𝑠) T, 2, 3 and hypothetical syllogism
5. ~𝑟 ∨ (~𝑞 ∨ 𝑠) T, 4 and equivalence of (4)
6. 𝑞 Rule P
7. 𝑞 ∧ (~𝑟 ∨ ~𝑞 ∨ 𝑠) T, 5, 6 and Conjunction
8. 𝑞 ∧ (~𝑟 ∨ 𝑠) T, 7, 8 and negation and domination laws
9. ~𝑟 ∨ 𝑠 T, 8 and simplification
10. 𝑟→𝑠 T, 9 and equivalence of (9)
7. Derive 𝑝 → (𝑞 → 𝑠) using the CP-rule (if necessary) form the premises 𝑝 → (𝑞 → 𝑟) and
𝑞 → (𝑟 → 𝑠)
Solution:
We shall assume 𝑝 as an additional premise. Using 𝑝 and the two given premises, we will derive
(𝑞 → 𝑠). Then, by CP-rule, 𝑝 → (𝑞 → 𝑠) is deemed to have been derived from the two given
premises.
Step No. Statement Reason
1. 𝑝 P (additional)
2. 𝑝 → (𝑞 → 𝑟) P
3. 𝑞→𝑟 T, 1, 2 and Modus Ponens
4. ~𝑞 ∨ 𝑟 T, 3 and equivalence of (3)
5. 𝑞 → (𝑟 → 𝑠) P
6. ~𝑞 ∨ (𝑟 → 𝑆) T, 5 and equivalence of (5)
7. ~𝑞 ∨ (𝑟 ∧ (𝑟 → 𝑆)) T, 4, 6 and distributive law
8. ~𝑞 ∨ 𝑠 T, 7 and modus ponens
9. 𝑞→s T, 8 and equivalence of (8)
10. 𝑝 → (𝑞 → 𝑠) T, 9 and CP-rule
8. Use the indirect method to show that 𝑟 → ~𝑞, 𝑟 ∨ 𝑠, 𝑠 → ~𝑞, 𝑝 → 𝑞 ⇒ ~p
Solution:
To use indirect method, we will include ~ ~𝑝 ≡ 𝑝 as an additional premise and prove a
contradiction.