IF AND ONLY IF

Compound sentences of the form "P if and only if Q" are true when P and Q are both false or are both true; this compound sentence is false otherwise. It says that P and Q have the same truth values; when "P if and only if Q" is true, it is often said that P and Q are logically equivalent. In fact, when "P if and only Q" is true, P can subsitute for Q and Q can subsitute for P in other compound sentences without changing the truth. "P if and only if Q" is rarely found in ordinary English; it's rather legalistic sounding! The truth table below formalizes this understanding of "if and only if". T stands for true, and F stands for false.

Truth Table For "If and only if" P Q P if and only if Q T T T T F F T F F F F T

IF...., THEN....
Compound sentences of the form "If P, then Q" can perhaps be best understood as a promise. Truth for the whole compound sentence is decided on the basis of whether you think the promise is kept. Here P and Q are themselves sentences, each of which is true or false (but neither is both true and false). Think of the following promise: If there is an elephant in the library, then I'll give you 100 dollars. Suppose there really is an elephant in the library and I give you 100 dollars. Then I've kept my promise and the whole "if...then" sentence is true. Suppose there really is an elephant in the library, but I don't give you any money. Then I've broken my promise and the whole "if...then" sentence is false. Now suppose that there is no elephant in the library and I don't give you any money. I've kept my promise and the whole "if...then" is true. What happens if there is no elephant in the library, but I give you 100 dollars anyway? When I ask students this case in class, it often splits 50-50. Half think I've broken the promise. Half think I've kept it. ORDINARY ENGLISH IS NOT CLEAR ABOUT THIS CASE. In the technical sciences (mathematics, engineering, etc.) we had to make a choice to read it one way or the other (remember, computers are complete idiots and you must be utterly exact with them). IN THE TECHNICAL SCIENCES, THE PROMISE IS VIEWED

AS BEING KEPT. "IF P, then Q" is true when P is false and Q is true. Think of it this way: you're allowed to be generous in a promise and honest at the same time. The truth table below formalizes the discussion above. T stands for true and F stands for false. Note the third line, which is the case where ordinary English is not clear.
Truth Table For "If...., then...." P Q If P, then Q T T T T F F F T F F T T