Logic is the study of reasoning and argumentation, focusing on principles of

validity, consistency, and truth. It provides a framework for understanding how we

arrive at conclusions from premises and how we evaluate the correctness of those
conclusions. Here's an introduction to logic:

Propositions: In logic, a proposition is a statement that can be either true or

false, but not both. For example, "The sky is blue" and "2 + 2 = 5" are
propositions.

Logical Operators:

Negation (¬): Denoted by ¬, it represents the logical operation of negating a

proposition. For example, if
𝑃
P is "The sky is blue," then
¬
𝑃
¬P is "The sky is not blue."
Conjunction (∧): Denoted by ∧, it represents the logical operation of conjunction,
or "and." For example, if
𝑃
P is "It is raining" and
𝑄
Q is "The ground is wet," then
𝑃
∧
𝑄
P∧Q is "It is raining and the ground is wet."
Disjunction (∨): Denoted by ∨, it represents the logical operation of disjunction,
or "or." For example, if
𝑃
P is "It is snowing" and
𝑄
Q is "It is raining," then
𝑃
∨
𝑄
P∨Q is "It is snowing or it is raining."
Implication (→): Denoted by →, it represents the logical operation of implication,
or "if...then." For example, if
𝑃
P is "It is Monday," and
𝑄
Q is "It is raining," then
𝑃
→
𝑄
P→Q is "If it is Monday, then it is raining."
Biconditional (↔): Denoted by ↔, it represents the logical operation of
biconditional, or "if and only if." For example, if
𝑃
P is "The light is on," and
𝑄
Q is "The switch is pressed," then
𝑃
↔
𝑄
P↔Q is "The light is on if and only if the switch is pressed."
Truth Tables: Truth tables are used to represent the truth values of compound
propositions for all possible combinations of truth values of their component
propositions. They help determine the truth value of a compound proposition under
different scenarios.

Logical Equivalence: Two propositions are logically equivalent if they have the
same truth values under all possible scenarios. This is denoted by
≡
≡.

Arguments and Validity: An argument is a set of propositions called premises that

are intended to support or justify another proposition called the conclusion. An
argument is valid if the truth of its premises guarantees the truth of its
conclusion.

Inference Rules: Inference rules are used to derive new propositions from existing
ones based on logical principles. Common inference rules include modus ponens,
modus tollens, hypothetical syllogism, and disjunctive syllogism.

Predicate Logic: Predicate logic extends propositional logic by allowing the use of
predicates and quantifiers to express relationships between objects and properties.
Predicates are expressions that can be true or false depending on the values of
variables, while quantifiers such as "for all" (∀) and "there exists" (∃) are used
to specify the scope of the variables.

Logic is foundational to mathematics, philosophy, computer science, and various

other disciplines. It provides tools for rigorous reasoning, problem-solving, and
critical thinking, enabling us to analyze arguments, detect fallacies, and
construct valid proofs.