BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE, PILANI

Second Semester - 2005-2006

SYMBOLIC LOGIC
PHIL C221
Comprehensive Examination

Room No. 2201 Max Marks 40.0

Date: 05.05.2006 Duration 3 Hours

1. Define deductive argument. State and compare with the help of examples the nature
of deductive argument in the traditional propositional logic and quantification logic.

(4.0)

2. State and discuss the nature of the square of opposition in the traditional propositional
logic and quantification logic. (4.0)

3. Put each of the following syllogisms into standard form, name its mood and figure,
and test its validity by means of a Venn diagram.
(a) All television actors are film stars, but no film stars are music directors;
consequently, no television actors are music directors.
(b) All proteins are organic compounds, and all enzymes are proteins, therefore,
all enzymes are organic compounds. (3.0 × 2 = 6.0)

4. Symbolize the following statements:

Modern Propositional Logic
a) If the weather is warm and the sky is clear, then we go swimming and we go
boating..
b) If the seed catalog is correct, then if the seeds are planted in April, then the
flowers bloom in July.
Quantification Logic
c) No man is good unless he is honest.
d) No boy that is over ten years old will be admitted if he is mentally retarded.
Logic of Relations
e) Bhiwani is between Rohtak and Pilani.
f) Everything pushes something. (6.0)

5. Construct a formal proof of validity (but not CP or IP) for each of the following
arguments, using the suggested abbreviations in each case.

a) O · P
OC
(C · T)  P /T

b) (A  B)  (C · D) /B  C (4.0 × 2 = 8.0)

1
6. Symbolize and construct an indirect proof of validity for the following argument.
If Anand wins then both Bikram and Chandran lose. If either Bikram wins or
Damodarn wins, then Neena loses. Either Domodarn wins or Anand wins. Therefore,
Neena loses. (4.0)

7. Prove the invalidity of the following argument, using a model containing two
elements a and b.
All windows are square-shaped and some doors are square-shaped, therefore, all
windows are doors. (4.0)

8. Answer the following:

a) Distinction between Compound Proposition and General Proposition
b) Symbolization of the asymmetrical, intransitive, irreflexive attributes of binary
relations
(2.0 ×
2 = 4.0)