Sentential Logic

Mathematical Logic
Graduate School
First Sem, SY 2020-21

Solomon L. Olayta

August 15, 2020

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Sentential Logic

Mathematical Logic
Graduate School
First Sem, SY 2020-21

Solomon L. Olayta

August 15, 2020

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Sentential Logic

Outline

1 Sentential Logic
Truth Tables
Valid Arguments

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

In mathematics, we use deductive reasoning to find answers to

questions.
Deductive reasoning in mathematics is ususally presented in
the form of a proof.
Proofs play a central role in mathematics and deductive
reasoning is the foundation on which proofs are based.

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

In mathematics, we use deductive reasoning to find answers to

questions.
Deductive reasoning in mathematics is ususally presented in
the form of a proof.
Proofs play a central role in mathematics and deductive
reasoning is the foundation on which proofs are based.

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

In mathematics, we use deductive reasoning to find answers to

questions.
Deductive reasoning in mathematics is ususally presented in
the form of a proof.
Proofs play a central role in mathematics and deductive
reasoning is the foundation on which proofs are based.

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Examples of Deductive Reasoning

Example 1
If today is Sunday, then I’ll go swimming.
Today is Sunday.
Therefore, I will go swimming.

The sentences ”If today is Sunday, then I’ll go swimming.” and

”Today is Sunday.” are called premises. The sentence ”I will go
swimming.” is called the conclusion.

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Examples of Deductive Reasoning

Example 2
Either, the maid is the spy or the gardener is the spy.
Either, the gardener is the spy or the driver is the spy.
Therefore, the maid is the spy or the driver is the spy.

There is something wrong in the argument since it may be possible

the gardener is the spy while both the maid and the driver are not
spies.

How do we validate arguments?

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Examples of Deductive Reasoning

Example 2
Either, the maid is the spy or the gardener is the spy.
Either, the gardener is the spy or the driver is the spy.
Therefore, the maid is the spy or the driver is the spy.

There is something wrong in the argument since it may be possible

the gardener is the spy while both the maid and the driver are not
spies.

How do we validate arguments?

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Examples of Deductive Reasoning

Example 2
Either, the maid is the spy or the gardener is the spy.
Either, the gardener is the spy or the driver is the spy.
Therefore, the maid is the spy or the driver is the spy.

There is something wrong in the argument since it may be possible

the gardener is the spy while both the maid and the driver are not
spies.

How do we validate arguments?

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Propositions

Definition 1.1
A proposition is a statement that is either true or false but not
both.

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Illustrations

The dog can fly. (Proposition)

Rody and Lenie are bestfriends. (Proposition)
Look at the portrait. (non-proposition)
Are you mad? (non-proposition)

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Illustrations

The dog can fly. (Proposition)

Rody and Lenie are bestfriends. (Proposition)
Look at the portrait. (non-proposition)
Are you mad? (non-proposition)

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Illustrations

The dog can fly. (Proposition)

Rody and Lenie are bestfriends. (Proposition)
Look at the portrait. (non-proposition)
Are you mad? (non-proposition)

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Illustrations

The dog can fly. (Proposition)

Rody and Lenie are bestfriends. (Proposition)
Look at the portrait. (non-proposition)
Are you mad? (non-proposition)

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Illustrations

The dog can fly. (Proposition)

Rody and Lenie are bestfriends. (Proposition)
Look at the portrait. (non-proposition)
Are you mad? (non-proposition)

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Connective Symbols

Symbol Meaning
∨ or
∧ and
¬ not

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Examples

Analyze the logical form of the following.

Either John is lazy, or the clown is sad.
Either Rody is prepared and Lenie is’nt, or Bong is working
hard.

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Let J mean for ”John is lazy” and let C mean ”The clown is
sad.” Thus, we have
J ∨C
.
Let R mean ”Rody is prepared”. Let L means Lenie is not
prepared. Let B mean ”Bong is working hard”. Thus, we have

(R ∧ ¬L) ∨ B

.
Note: The symbols ∨ and ∧ can be only used between two
statements. The symbol ¬ can be used before a statement.

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Let J mean for ”John is lazy” and let C mean ”The clown is
sad.” Thus, we have
J ∨C
.
Let R mean ”Rody is prepared”. Let L means Lenie is not
prepared. Let B mean ”Bong is working hard”. Thus, we have

(R ∧ ¬L) ∨ B

.
Note: The symbols ∨ and ∧ can be only used between two
statements. The symbol ¬ can be used before a statement.

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Let J mean for ”John is lazy” and let C mean ”The clown is
sad.” Thus, we have
J ∨C
.
Let R mean ”Rody is prepared”. Let L means Lenie is not
prepared. Let B mean ”Bong is working hard”. Thus, we have

(R ∧ ¬L) ∨ B

.
Note: The symbols ∨ and ∧ can be only used between two
statements. The symbol ¬ can be used before a statement.

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Let J mean for ”John is lazy” and let C mean ”The clown is
sad.” Thus, we have
J ∨C
.
Let R mean ”Rody is prepared”. Let L means Lenie is not
prepared. Let B mean ”Bong is working hard”. Thus, we have

(R ∧ ¬L) ∨ B

.
Note: The symbols ∨ and ∧ can be only used between two
statements. The symbol ¬ can be used before a statement.

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

∨P (not well-defined)
∧Q (not well-defined)
P¬Q (not well-defined)
P ∨ ∧Q (not well-defined)

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

∨P (not well-defined)
∧Q (not well-defined)
P¬Q (not well-defined)
P ∨ ∧Q (not well-defined)

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

∨P (not well-defined)
∧Q (not well-defined)
P¬Q (not well-defined)
P ∨ ∧Q (not well-defined)

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

How do we construct truth tables?

Since a proposition can be either true or false, then we can

evaluate its truth or falsity. We can assign the labels true or false.
This label is called its truth value.

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

How do we construct truth tables?

Since a proposition can be either true or false, then we can

evaluate its truth or falsity. We can assign the labels true or false.
This label is called its truth value.

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Truth Table of ¬P

P ¬P
T F
F T

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Truth Table of P ∧ Q

P Q P ∧Q
T T T
T F F
F T F
F F F

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Truth Table of P ∨ Q

P Q P ∨Q
T T T
T F T
F T T
F F F
Note: P ∨ Q mean ”P or Q, or both.” In English language, ”P or
Q” mean P or Q but not both.

”P or Q, or both.” is called the inclusive or while ”P or Q but not

both.” is called the exclusive or.

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Truth Table of P ∨ Q

P Q P ∨Q
T T T
T F T
F T T
F F F
Note: P ∨ Q mean ”P or Q, or both.” In English language, ”P or
Q” mean P or Q but not both.

”P or Q, or both.” is called the inclusive or while ”P or Q but not

both.” is called the exclusive or.

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Truth Table of P exclusive or Q

P Q Pexclusive orQ
T T F
T F T
F T T
F F F

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Constructing Truth Tables

Construct the truth table for the formula ¬(P ∧ ¬Q) ∨ R.

Solution. First we count the number of symbols in the formula. In

this case we have 3. There will be 23 = 8 lines to list all possible
combinations of truth values for these letters. (In general, if there
are n symbols, then there will be 2n lines to list all possible
combinations of truth values for these letters. Then

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

P Q R ¬Q P ∧ ¬Q ¬(P ∧ ¬Q) ¬(P ∧ ¬Q) ∨ R

T T T F F T T
T T F F F T T
T F T T T F T
T F F T T F F
F T T F F T T
F T F F F T T
F F T T F T T
F F F T F T T

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Validating Arguments

Let us consider the argument below.

It will either rain or snow tomorrow.

It’s too cold to rain.
Therefore, it will snow.

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

Let R mean ”It will rain tomorow.”

Let S mean ”It will snow tomorrow.”

The argument can be written as

R ∨S
¬R
∴S

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

R S ¬R R ∨ S S
1 T T F T T
2 T F F T F
3 F T T T T
4 F F T F F
Note: An argument is valid if the premises cannot be all true
without the conclusion being true as well.

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21

 Truth Tables
Sentential Logic
Valid Arguments

”It will either rain or snow tomorrow.

It’s too cold to rain.
Therefore, it will snow.”

is a valid argument.

Solomon L. Olayta Mathematical Logic Graduate SchoolFirst Sem, SY 2020-21