Day 04Part16(B) – Propositional logic in discrete mathematics – Statements and arguments concept.
Contents
- 0.1 Propositional Logic in Discrete Mathematics – Statements & Arguments
- 0.2 1. What is a Proposition?
- 0.3 2. Logical Connectives in Propositional Logic
- 0.4 3. Arguments in Propositional Logic
- 0.5 4. Types of Logical Arguments
- 0.6 5. Valid vs. Invalid Arguments
- 0.7 6. Truth Tables for Arguments
- 0.8 7. Applications of Propositional Logic
- 0.9 Day 04Part16(B) – Propositional logic in discrete mathematics – Statements and arguments concept.
- 0.10 UNIT – I–DISCRETE MATHEMATICS – SMT1304
- 0.11 Propositional Logic | Discrete Mathematics
- 1 Day 04 Part 16(B) – Propositional Logic in Discrete Mathematics
- 1.1 Topic: Statements and Arguments – Concept & Explanation
- 1.2 1. What is Propositional Logic?
- 1.3 2. Statement Logic – Basic Connectives
- 1.4 3. What is an Argument in Logic?
- 1.5 4. Common Inference Rules (Argument Patterns)
- 1.6 5. How to Check Argument Validity?
- 1.7 6. Truth Table for Implication (P → Q)
- 1.8 Summary Points:
- 1.9 Day 04Part16(B) – Propositional logic in discrete mathematics – Statements and arguments concept.
- 1.10 Lecture 1: Propositional Logic
Propositional Logic in Discrete Mathematics – Statements & Arguments
Propositional Logic is a branch of Discrete Mathematics that deals with statements (propositions) and their logical relationships. It helps in mathematical reasoning, computer science, and logic circuits.
1. What is a Proposition?
A proposition is a declarative sentence that is either true (T) or false (F) but not both.
Examples:
“2 + 2 = 4” (True)
“The sky is green.” (False)
Not a Proposition:
“What is your name?” (Not declarative)
“x + 5 = 10” (Depends on x’s value)
2. Logical Connectives in Propositional Logic
We combine propositions using logical connectives:
Symbol | Name | Example | Meaning |
---|---|---|---|
¬P | Negation | ¬(P: “It is raining”) → “It is NOT raining” | Reverses the truth value |
P ∧ Q | Conjunction | “I study AND I pass” | Both must be true |
P ∨ Q | Disjunction | “I study OR I pass” | At least one must be true |
P → Q | Implication | “If I study, then I pass” | If P is true, then Q must be true |
P |
Biconditional | “I pass if and only if I study” | Both must have the same truth value |
3. Arguments in Propositional Logic
An argument is a sequence of statements (propositions) where some statements (premises) lead to a conclusion.
Example:
Premise 1: If it rains, the ground is wet → (P → Q)
Premise 2: It is raining → (P is True)
Conclusion: The ground is wet → (Q is True)
This is a valid argument (Modus Ponens rule).
4. Types of Logical Arguments
Modus Ponens (Direct Reasoning)
- If P → Q and P is true, then Q is true.
- Example: “If you study, you pass. You studied → So, you passed.”
Modus Tollens (Indirect Reasoning)
- If P → Q and Q is false, then P is false.
- Example: “If it rains, the ground is wet. The ground is not wet → So, it did not rain.”
Hypothetical Syllogism
- If P → Q and Q → R, then P → R.
- Example: “If I study, I pass. If I pass, I graduate → So, if I study, I graduate.”
Disjunctive Syllogism
- If P ∨ Q and ¬P is true, then Q is true.
- Example: “I will either study or play. I did not study → So, I played.”
5. Valid vs. Invalid Arguments
Valid Argument: The conclusion follows logically from the premises.
Invalid Argument (Fallacy): The conclusion does not logically follow.
Example of an Invalid Argument (Fallacy)
Premise: “If you are in India, you are in Asia.” (True)
Premise: “You are in Asia.” (True)
Wrong Conclusion: “You are in India.” (Not necessarily true)
Fallacy Name: Affirming the Consequent
6. Truth Tables for Arguments
We can verify logical validity using truth tables.
Example: Truth Table for P → Q
P | Q | P → Q |
---|---|---|
T | T | T |
T | F | F |
F | T | T |
F | F | T |
Only false when P is True and Q is False.
7. Applications of Propositional Logic
Mathematical Proofs
Artificial Intelligence & Expert Systems
Programming (Conditional Statements)
Logic Circuits (AND, OR, NOT gates)
Cybersecurity (Logical Access Controls)
Would you like some practice questions with solutions to strengthen your understanding?
Day 04Part16(B) – Propositional logic in discrete mathematics – Statements and arguments concept.
UNIT – I–DISCRETE MATHEMATICS – SMT1304
Propositional Logic | Discrete Mathematics
Here’s a clear and complete explanation of:
Day 04 Part 16(B) – Propositional Logic in Discrete Mathematics
Topic: Statements and Arguments – Concept & Explanation
1. What is Propositional Logic?
Propositional logic (also known as statement logic) deals with propositions (statements) and their logical relationships.
- A proposition is a declarative sentence that is either true or false, but not both.
- “The sky is blue.”
- “5 + 3 = 8”
- “Paris is the capital of France.”
- “What is your name?”
(it’s a question) - “Please close the door.”
(it’s a command)
2. Statement Logic – Basic Connectives
Symbol | Name | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|---|
¬P | Negation | “not P” | ¬(It is raining) |
P ∧ Q | Conjunction | “P and Q” | It is hot ∧ humid |
P ∨ Q | Disjunction | “P or Q” | I study ∨ I play |
P → Q | Implication | “If P, then Q” | If I study → I pass |
P |
Bi-implication | “P if and only if Q” | P |
3. What is an Argument in Logic?
An argument is a set of premises (statements) that lead to a conclusion.
- Premises are assumed to be true.
- The conclusion is what we infer from the premises.
Premise 1: If it rains, the ground gets wet. (P → Q)
Premise 2: It is raining. (P)
Conclusion: The ground gets wet. (Q)
4. Common Inference Rules (Argument Patterns)
Name | Form | Meaning |
---|---|---|
Modus Ponens | P → Q, P ⟹ Q | If P implies Q and P is true, Q is true |
Modus Tollens | P → Q, ¬Q ⟹ ¬P | If P implies Q and Q is false, P is false |
Disjunctive Syllogism | P ∨ Q, ¬P ⟹ Q | Either P or Q is true, and P is false, so Q is true |
Hypothetical Syllogism | P → Q, Q → R ⟹ P → R | Chain rule of implication |
5. How to Check Argument Validity?
- Whenever all premises are true, the conclusion is also true.
- It is possible for premises to be true but conclusion to be false.
- Truth tables
- Rules of inference
- Contradictions / counterexamples
6. Truth Table for Implication (P → Q)
P | Q | P → Q |
---|---|---|
T | T | T |
T | F | F |
F | T | T |
F | F | T |
Summary Points:
- A statement is either true or false.
- Arguments use logical connectives to infer conclusions.
- Use rules of inference (e.g., Modus Ponens) to build or validate arguments.
- Use truth tables to check validity logically.
Would you like:
- Practice questions with answers?
- A PDF chart of all logic symbols and rules?
- Video lecture or animated explanation?
Let me know how you’d like to continue your learning!