Elementary Logic

FUNDAMENTALS of LOGIC

Definition
A proposition P is a declarative statement that is
true or false but not both.

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Examples of Propositions

1. It is raining.

2. When you work hard, you are rewarded

with success.

3. There are seven days in one week.

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The following are not propositions

1. Get out!

2. Logic is sweet.

3. x + 3 = 5

4. How old are you?

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 Logical Connectives

A word or symbol that joins two sentences to

produce a new one.
 Definition

The negation of a proposition P,

denoted by ¬ P (read as “not P”), is
the proposition whose truth value
depends on P.

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Symbol Translation
Not P;
P It is not the case that P;
It is false that P;
It is not true that P

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Definition

Let P and Q be propositions. The

conjunction of P and Q, denoted
by P  Q  read as " P and Q  is the
proposition whose truth value
depends on P and Q.
We call each P and Q a conjunct .

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Symbol Translation
P and Q;
P moreover Q;
P although Q;
P still Q;
PQ P furthermore Q;
P also Q;
P nevertheless Q;
P however Q;
P yet Q;
P but Q
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Example
“He is the only begotten son yet He humbled
Himself by dying on the cross to save us.”

Let P: Life is beautiful.

Q: Life is challenging.

1. PQ
2. P  Q
3. P  Q
4. P   Q
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Definition
Let P and Q be propositions. The
disjunction of P and Q, denoted
by P  Q  read as " P or Q  is the
proposition whose truth value
depends on P and Q.
We call each P and Q a disjunct .

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Symbol Translation

P or Q;
PQ P unless Q;

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Let P: 2 is prime.
Q: 2 is even.
1. PQ
2. P  Q
3. P  Q
4. P   Q

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Definition
Let P and Q be propositions. The
conditional statement or implication
" if P then Q " denoted by P  Q, is
the proposition whose truth value
depends on P and Q.
We call P the hypothesis or premise
and we call Q the conclusion.
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Symbol Translation
If P then Q;
P implies Q;
P is a sufficient condition for Q;
P only if Q;
PQ Q is a necessary condition for P;
Q if P;
Q follows from P;
Q provided P;
Q whenever P;
Q is a logical consequence of P
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“Buy one notebook, take one free pencil.”
P: I buy a notebook.
Q: I get a free pencil.

a. If I buy a notebook then I get a free pencil.

b. If I buy a notebook then I don’t get a free
pencil.
c. If I don’t buy a notebook then I get a free
pencil.
d. If I don’t buy a notebook then I don’t get a
free pencil.

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Definition

Let P and Q be propositions. The

biconditional statement
" P if and only if Q ", denoted by
P  Q, is the proposition whose
truth value depends on P and Q.

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Symbol Translation

P if and only if Q;
P is equivalent to Q;
PQ
P is a necessary and sufficient
condition for Q;

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Express the following propositions in symbols,
where P, Q, R and S are defined as follows.
P: I understand logic.
Q: I am doing well in my class in Logic.
R: Logic is easy.
S: I will pass all my exams in Logic.

1. Logic is easy or it is difficult.

2. I understand Logic if and only if it is easy.
3. Although I am doing well in my class in Logic, I
won’t pass all my exams.

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1. Logic is easy or it is difficult.

2. I understand Logic if and only if it is easy.

3. Although I am doing well in my class in Logic, I

won’t pass all my exams.

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Express the following symbols into statements,
where P, Q, R and S are defined as follows.
P: I understand logic.
Q: I am doing well in my class in Logic.
R: Logic is easy.
S: I will pass all my exams in Logic.

1. P∧S
2. ¬P → ¬R
3. (P ∧ Q) → S
4. ¬ (Q V R) → (¬P V ¬ S)

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1. P ∧ S

2. ¬P → ¬R

3. (P ∧ Q) → S

4. ¬ (Q V R) → (¬P V ¬ S)

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 More on Conditional Statements

Implication: If P Then Q.
P: antecedent or hypothesis
Q: consequent or conclusion

Converse: If Q then P.

Inverse: If not P then not Q.

Contrapositive: If not Q then not P.

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 More on Conditional Statements
Give the converse, inverse and contrapositive of the
following implications.

1. If you are more than 60 years old, then you are entitled
to a senior citizen card.

Converse:

Inverse:

Contrapostive:

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 More on Conditional Statements

Give the converse, inverse and contrapositive of the

following implications.

2. If P is prime then it is odd.

Converse:

Inverse:

Contrapostive:

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 More on Conditional Statements

Give the converse, inverse and contrapositive of the

following implications.

3. If he is truly concerned about the welfare of his country,

then he is involved in politics.

Converse:

Inverse:

Contrapostive:

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 TAKE
HOME
ACTIVITY
 SEATWORK #3
Give the converse, inverse and contrapositive of
the following implications.

1. If I study hard, then I will pass math.

2. If logic is easy, then I will pass all my exams in

logic.

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Express the following propositions in symbols, where P, Q, R and S
are defined as follows.

P: He will be promoted.
Q: He is successful
R: He works hard.
S: He found a new job.

1. He is successful or he found a new job.

2. If he will be promoted, then he is successful.
3. If he does not work hard and successful, then he will
not be promoted.
4. It is not the case that he is successful or he found a
new job.
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Translate the symbols into statements, where P, Q, R and S are
defined as follows.

P: I understand logic.
Q: I am doing well in my class in Logic.
R: Logic is easy.
S: I will pass all my exams in Logic.

1. P v Q
2. P S
3. R if P
4. (P Ʌ R) S
5. (Q Ʌ S)
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