DISCRETE STRUCTURES I

Module 3 | Formal Proofs

MODULE 3 Let r: “I will get an A.”
I. Formal Proofs
A. Rules of Inference “If it snows, then I will study math.”
B. Formal Proofs of Validity “If I study math, then I will get an A.”

“Therefore, if it snows, I will get an A.”

I. Formal Proofs
DISJUNCTIVE SYLLOGISM

A. Rules of Inference
Inference – deriving conclusions from evidence.

Evidence – the premises, they are the assumptions.

Rule of Inference – used to construct more complicated

Corresponding Tautology: (~p ^ (p v q)) -> q
valid arguments.
Let p: “I will study math.”
MODUS PONENS
Let q: “I will study literature.”

“I will study math, or I will study literature.”

“I will not study math.”

Corresponding Tautology: (p ^ (p ->q) -> q “Therefore, I will study literature.”

Let p: It is snowing. SIMPLICATION

Let q: I will study math.

If it is snowing, then I will study math.

It is snowing.
Corresponding Tautology: (p ^ q) -> q
Therefore, I will study math.
Let p: “I will study math.”
MODUS TOLLENS
Let q: “I will study literature.”

“I will study math and literature.”

“Therefore, I will study literature.”

Corresponding Tautology: (~q ^ (p -> q) -> ~p ADDITION

Let p: It is snowing.

Let q: I will study math.

If it is snowing, then I will study math. Corresponding Tautology: p -> (p v q)

I will not study math. Let p: “I will study math.”

Therefore, it is not snowing. Let q: “I will visit Las Vegas.”

HYPOTHETICAL SYLLOGISM “I will study math.”

“Therefore, I will study math, or I will visit Las Vegas.”

CONJUNCTION

Corresponding Tautology: ((p -> q) ^ (p -> r)) -> (p -> r)

Let p: “It snows.”

Let q: “I will study math.” Corresponding Tautology: ((p) ^ (q)) -> (p ^ q)

DISCRETE STRUCTURES I
Module 3 | Formal Proofs
Let p: “I will study math.”

Let q: “I will study literature.”

“I will study math.”

“I will study literature.”

“Therefore, I will study math and literature.”

B. Formal Proofs of Validity

Argument – sequence of statements that end with a
conclusion.

- Argument is valid if the conclusion follows the

truth of the preceding statement.
- All but the final propositions are called
premises, final proposition is called the
conclusion.
- Argument is valid if the truth of all premises
implies that the conclusion is true.

Note:

1. It is formal procedure.
2. Validity of an argument is established by
deduction or derivation.
3. Derivation will follow rules.

VALID ARGUMENTS
- Truth preserving
- If started with truth, they protect the truth.
- Argument forms that are valid by virtue of their
form.

p q p -> q
T T T
T F F
F T T
F F T

INVALID ARGUMENTS
- Argument forms that are invalid by virtue of
their form.

p q ~p ~q p -> q
T T F F T
T F F T F
F T T F T
F F T T T