CSE 1101- Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science WkSheet 5

(Last Name, First Name): ______________________________________________________________

Logic 5: Rules of Inference
1. Determine whether the following argument form is valid or invalid by the use of a truth table.
p →q ∨ ¬r
q → p∧ r
∴ p→r

2. State whether the following argument is valid or invalid without the use of a truth table.
“If it snows today then we will go skiing. It is snowing today. Therefore we will go skiing.”

3. State which rule of inference is the basis of the following arguments:

a) “It is below the freezing now. Therefore, it is either below freezing or raining now.”
b) “If it rains today, then we will not have a barbecue today. If we do not have a barbeque today, then we will have a
barbeque tomorrow. Therefore, if it rains today, then we will have a barbeque tomorrow.”
c) “It is below freezing and raining now. Therefore it is below freezing now”
d) “It is either below freezing or it is raining now. It is not below freezing. Therefore it is raining now.”
e) “Jasmine is skiing or it is not snowing” and “It is snowing or Bart is playing hockey” imply that “Jasmine is skiing
or Bart is playing hockey.”

4. Use modus ponens or modus tollens to fill in the blanks of the following arguments so that they become valid
inferences.
a) If there are more pigeons than there are pigeonholes, then at least two pigeons roost in the same hole.
There are more pigeons than there are pigeonholes.
∴ At least two pigeons roost in the same hole.
b) If 870,232 is divisible by 6, then it is divisible by 3.
870,232 is not divisible by 3.
∴ 870,232 is not divisible by 6.

5. Show that the hypotheses ( p ∧ q ) ∨ r and r → s imply the conclusion p ∨ s

6. Is the following argument valid?

“If you do every problem in this book, then you will learn discrete mathematics. You learned discrete mathematics.
Therefore you did every problem in this book.”

7. Show that the hypotheses:

“It is not sunny this afternoon, and it is colder than yesterday,”
“We will go swimming only if it is sunny,”
“If we do not go swimming, we will play basketball,” and
“If we play basketball, we will go home early,”
lead to the conclusion
“We will go home early.”

8. Show that the hypotheses:

“If you send me an e-mail message, then I will finish writing the program,”
“If you do not send me an e-mail message, then I will go to sleep early” and
“If I go to sleep early, then I will wake up feeling refreshed”,
lead to the conclusion
“If I do not finish writing the program, then I will wake up feeling refreshed.”

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Course Instructor: A. Baksh
 9. Show that the premises
“Everyone in this discrete mathematics class has taken a course in computer science” and “Marla is a student in this
class” imply the conclusion “Marla has taken a course in computer science.”

10. Show that the premises

“Everyone in this discrete mathematics class has taken a course in computer science” and “Marla is a student in this
class” imply the conclusion “Marla has taken a course in computer science.”

Notes: Rules of Inference

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Course Instructor: A. Baksh