1 MT181 problems

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1. For each of the sets below answer the following questions: Is the set closed under
addition? [Yes or No.] Is the set closed under multiplication? [Yes or No.] If you
answer ‘No’ to a question, justify your answer. If you answer ‘Yes’, no justification
is required.
(a) The set W of positive rational numbers.
(b) The set X = {. . . , −3, −1, 1, 3, . . .} of odd integers.
(c) The set Y of real numbers that are less than or equal to 0.
(d) The set Z of real numbers r such that −2 ≤ r ≤ 2.
2. (Pay close attention to how you write these proofs. Use the similar proof given in
the lecture notes as your model.)
(a) Prove that Q is closed under subtraction.
(b) Prove that Q is closed under division.
3. Let X = {0, 1, 2, 3}, Y = {0, 3, 4, 5} and Z = {0, 1, 5, 6}. Starting from a Venn
diagram, express each of the sets {0, 5}, {0, 1, 2, 3, 5}, {0, 1, 3, 5, 6} and {0, 1, 3, 5}
in terms of X, Y , Z using only intersection ∩ and union ∪.
[For the set {0}, the answer would be {0} = (X ∩ Y ) ∩ Z.]
4. Construct the truth tables for the propositions (P ∨ Q) ∧ R and
(P ∧R)∨(Q∧R) and show that they are identical. (This proves one of the identities
in lecture notes 1.27.)
5. There are 8 truth tables of the form below, where each of the starred entries is
either true or false. For each such truth table, write down a proposition having
that truth table using parentheses and the symbols P , Q, ∨, ∧ and ¬. (You need
not use both propositions. You need not use all symbols.)
P Q
T T ∗
T F ∗
F T ∗
F F F

The problem below is a supplementary exercise. A model solution will

be given, but your solution will not be marked.
6. Use truth tables to prove the tautologies given in lecture notes 1.30 and 1.32.