Chapter 1.

6, Problem 3E

Problem

What rule of inference is used in each of these arguments?

a) Alice is mathematics major. Therefore, Alice is either a mathematics major or a computer

science major

b) Jerry is mathematics major and a computer science major. Therefore, Jerry is mathematics
major.

c) If it is rainy, then the pool will be closed. It is rainy. Therefore, the pool is closed.

d) If it snows today, the university will close. The university is not closed today. Therefore, it did
not snow today.

e) If I go swimming, then I will stay in the sun too long. If I stay in the sun too long, then I will
sunburn. Therefore, if I go swimming, then I will sunburn.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1 of 5
(a)

Therefore addition is used in this argument.

Step 2 of 5

(b)

Therefore Simplification is used in this argument.

Step 3 of 5
(c) Let p be the proposition “It is rainy” and q be the proposition

“The pool will be closed”

Then this argument is of the form

This argument uses the Modus ponens.

Therefore Modus ponens is used in this argument.

Step 4 of 5

(d) Let p be the proposition “It snows today” and

q be the proposition “ The university is closed today”

Then this argument is of the form

This argument uses the Modus tollens.

Therefore Modus tollens is used in this argument.

Step 5 of 5
(e) Let p be proposition “I go swimming,” q be the proposition

“I stay in the sun too long,” and r be the statement “I will sunburn”

This argument is of the form

Therefore Hypothetical syllogism is used in this argument.