* reminder: truth table for IF-THEN,
P -> Q (If P, then Q)
say, for sake of example,
P = You get an A on the test
Q = I will give you a dollar
P -> Q = If you get an A on the test, THEN I will give
you a dollar
P Q P->Q
----------------
T T T
T F F
F T T
F F T
* EXAMPLE:
ARGUMENT:
* If the train was on time, then the bus
was not on time.
* The bus was on time.
* Therefore, the train was not on time.
* identify the SIMPLE statements within,
and label them with letters.
P = The train was on time.
Q = The bus was on time.
* rewrite the argument in propositional
logic notation
P -> ~Q
Q
∴ ~P
* make a TRUTH TABLE to help determine the validity
of this argument:
* SUGGESTION: put (*) above the column of each
PREMISE, and put (C) above the column for the
CONCLUSION
* I think text puts to the side of the column
header, without (), and I'm finding that
harder to "see"...
(*) (*) (C)
P Q ~Q P->~Q ~P
------------------------
T T F F F
T F T T F
F T F T T
F F T T T
* NOW cross out ALL rows for which ANY premise
is False (done on document camera copy)
AND see: in the remaining rows, is the
Conclusion ALWAYS T?
It IS, here, so this argument *IS* VALID
* EXAMPLE:
* If I have a clean driving record, then I'll receive
a discount on my auto insurance.
* I do have a clean driving record.
* So, I'll get the discount.
* identify the simple statements,
and assign each a letter
P = I have a clean driving record.
Q = I'll get the auto insurance discount.
* rewrite the argument in propositional logic
form:
P -> Q
P
∴ Q
* truth table:
(*) (C) (*)
P Q P->Q
---------------
T T T
T F F
F T T
F F T
* NOW cross out ALL rows for which ANY premise
is False (done on document camera copy)
AND see: in the remaining rows, is the
Conclusion ALWAYS T?
It IS, here, so this argument *IS* VALID
* EXAMPLE (maybe to be completed Monday)
(adapted from course text)
* Students can raise their grade by studying hard,
but not by doing extra-credit work.
* It's not the case that students can raise their
grades by doing extra-credit work and hiring
a tutor.
* SO, students can raise their grade
by studying hard and also by getting a tutor.
* IDENTIFY the buried simple statements,
and assign each a letter!
S = Students can raise their grade by studying hard
E = Students can raise their grade by doing
extra-credit work.
R = Students can raise their grade by getting a tutor.
* rewrite the argument in propositional logic form:
S ^ ~E
~(E ^ R)
∴ S ^ R
* next: we'll build an appropriate truth table!