Chapter 1.

6, Problem 15E

Problem

For each of these arguments determine whether the argument is correct or incorrect and explain
why.

a) All students in this class understand logic. Xavier is a student in this class. Therefore,
Xavier understands logic.

b) Every computer science major takes discrete mathematics. Natasha is taking discrete
mathematics. Therefore, Natasha is a computer science major.

c) All parrots like fruit. My pet bird is not a parrot. Therefore, my pet bird docs not like fruit.

d) Everyone who eats granola everyday is healthy. Linda is not healthy. Therefore, Linda does
not eat granola every day.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1 of 4
Check the correctness of the argument:

a)

Suppose x refers to students.

C(x): students in the class

U(x): students understand the logic

X: Xavier is a student in the class.

All students in this class understand the logic.

Logically it is written as follows:

Using modus ponens, the output is as follows:

The present result is also the same.

That is “X can understand the logic”.

Or, Xavier can understand the logic.

Step 2 of 4
b)

Suppose x refers to major.

C(x): computer science majors taking discrete mathematics

N: Natasha is taking discrete mathematics.

Every computer science major takes discrete mathematics .

It can otherwise be written as “for all x, if x is a computer science major, then x takes discrete
mathematics”.

Natasha is taking discrete mathematics

It can be interpreted as: Natasha exists who takes discrete mathematics.

Put the logical statements together, the inference is not correct.

This is represented as follows:

Observe that this is not the modus tollens.

So, the conclusion is incorrect.

Step 3 of 4
c)

Suppose x refers to birds.

Parrot: P

Likes fruits: L

B: pet bird

All parrots like fruit.

My pet bird is not a parrot.

Therefore, my pet bird does not fruit.

Put the above logical statements together.

This is different from the modus tollens.

So, this is not a valid inference.

Or, the argument is incorrect.

Step 4 of 4
d)

Suppose x refers to a human being.

G(x): one who eats granola every day.

H(x): one who is healthy.

L: Linda

Everyone who eats granola every day is healthy.

For all human beings x, if x eats granola every day, then x will be healthy.

Linda is not healthy is represented as follows:

Therefore, Linda does not eat granola every day.

Put the above arguments together and obtain the relation:

This is truly modus tollens.

So, the argument is valid.

Or, the argument is correct.