Diploma in Information Technology First City University College

TUTORIAL 1

1. Determine whether each sentence below is a proposition. If the sentence is a proposition,

write its negation.
a) 6 + 9 = 15
b) 2 + 5 = 19

2. Given that proposition p is false and proposition q is true, determine whether each
proposition below is true or false.
a) p  q
b) p   q

3. Formulate the symbolic expression into words using

p: Lee takes computer science
q: Lee takes mathematics

a) p
b) pq
c) pq
d) pq

4. Determine the truth value of each proposition below.

a) If 3 + 5 < 2, then 1 + 3 = 4
b) If 3 + 5 < 2, then 1 + 3 = 4

5. Represent the proposition below symbolically by letting

p: You run 10 laps daily q: You are healthy r: You take multi-vitamins

a) If you run 10 laps daily, then you will be healthy

b) If you do not run 10 laps daily or do not take multi-vitamins, then you will not be
healthy.

6. Formulate the symbolic expression below into words using

p: Today is Monday
q: It is raining
r: It is hot
a) p  (q  r)
b) (p  q)  r

7. State whether the proposition (r  s)(r  s) is a tautology, contradiction or contingency.

8. For each pair of proposition P and Q, state whether or not P is equivalent to Q.

a) P = p  ( q  r), Q = p  (q   r )
b) P = p  q, Q =  q   p

Prepared by NSMN 1
Diploma in Information Technology First City University College

9. Let P(x) be the propositional function “ x  x 2 ”. Tell whether each proposition is true or
false. The domain of discourse is R.
a) P(1)
b) P(2)
c) P(1/2)
d) x P(x)
e) x P(x)

10. Let P(x) denotes the statement “x likes to play football”. The domain of discourse is the set
of all students. Write each proposition below in words:
a) x P(x)
b) x P(x)

11. Formulate the argument below symbolically and determine whether each is valid.
p: I study hard
q: I get A’s
r: I get rich

If I study hard, then I get A’s

If I don’t get rich, then I don’t get A’s

∴ I get rich

12. Determine whether the argument is valid. Let

p: 4 megabytes is better than no memory at all
q: We will buy more memory
r: We will buy a new computer

pr
pq
∴ p  (r  q)

13. Tell which rule of inference is used for the argument below:
If fishing is a popular sport, then basketball is wildly popular in California. Fishing is
popular sport. Therefore, basketball is wildly popular in California.

14. Give an argument using rules of inference to show that the conclusion follows from the
hypothesis
a) Hypothesis: If there is gas in the car, then I will go to the store. If I go to the store, then
I will get a soda. There is gas in the car. Conclusion: I will get a soda.
b) Hypothesis: If there is gas in the car, then I will go to the store. If I go to store, then I
will get a soda. I do not get a soda. Conclusion: There is no gas in the car, or the car
transmission is defective.
c) Hypothesis: If Jill can sing or Dweezle can play, then I’ll buy the compact disc. Jill can
sing. I’ll buy the compact disc player. Conclusion: I’ll but the compact disc and the
compact disc player.

Prepared by NSMN 2