Jazper David

1. Argument - An argument, in logic and philosophy, is a series of statements, called premises

intended to determine the degree of truth of another statement, the conclusion.
Ex.
 All numbers greater than 0 are positive integers, 9 is greater than 0, therefore 9 is
a positive integer.
 The formula for the area of a rectangle is l*w, if rectangle has sides 5 and 4, then
the area is equal to 5*4
2. Valid Argument - an argument is said to be valid if and if only takes a form that makes it
impossible for the premises to be true and the conclusion false at the same time. In effect,
an argument is valid if the truth of the premises logically guarantees the truth of the
conclusion.
Ex.
 All A are B, C is A, therefore C is B.
 All humans are mortal, Socrates is human, therefore Socrates is mortal.
3. Invalid Argument - a no guarantee of a true conclusion when the premises are true. True
premises can lead to either a true or a false conclusion in an invalid argument. An argument
in which the premises do not provide conclusive reasons for the conclusion.
Ex.
 All basketballs are round. The Earth is round. Therefore, the earth is a basketball.
 All good teachers come to class on time. Professor Simpson always comes to class
on time. Professor Simpson must be a good teacher.
4. Direct Proof - is a way of showing the truth or falsehood of a given statement by a
straightforward combination of established facts, usually axioms, existing lemmas and
theorems, without making any further assumptions.
Ex.
 The number 7 is a rational number. Direct proof: A rational number is defined as a
number that can be written in the form p/q, where p and q are integers. The
number 7 can be written as 7/1, because 7 divided by 1 is still 7. Since 7 and 1 are
both integers, and 7 can be written as 7/1, we have that by the definition of rational
number, 7 is a rational number.
 The sum of any two even integers is even. Direct proof: Let A and B be two even
integers.
By the definition of even integers, A=2p, B=2q, p and q are some integers
A+B = 2p + 2q = 2(p+q)
A+B has the representation of an even integer, therefore A+B is even.
5. Indirect Proof - instead of showing that the conclusion to be proved is true, you show that
all of the alternatives are false. Is the same as proving by contradiction, which means that
the negation of a true statement is also true.
Ex.
 If x=2, then 3x-5≠10. Prove this statement is true by contradiction.
Assume 3x-5=10
Then 3x=15
 X=5 , contradiction, therefore 3x-5≠10.
 If triangle ABC is isosceles, then the measure of the base angles cannot be 92°
Assume the measure of the base angles are 92° each.
Therefore, the sum of the angles is >184° - contradiction.
Therefore the measure of the base angles cannot be 92°.
6. Hypothetical Syllogism - is a valid argument form which is a syllogism having a conditional
statement for one or both of its premises.
Ex.
 If I do not wake up, then I cannot go to work.
 If I cannot go to work, then I will not get paid.