MATH 135 Fall 2021: Written Assignment 2

Due at 5 PM EDT on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021

Covers the contents of Weeks 1–2
Q1. (5 marks) Let P , Q and R be statement variables.

(a) (4 marks) Using a truth table, prove the following:

(P ⇒ Q) ∧ (¬Q ⇒ R) ≡ Q ∨ ¬(R ⇒ P )

(b) (1 mark) Using a truth table, prove or disprove the following:

(Q ⇔ P ) ∨ R ≡ (Q ⇒ R) ∨ P

Q2. (4 marks)

(a) (1 mark) Recall that an integer n is called a perfect square, if there exists an integer m such
that n = m2 . Hence, the five smallest perfect squares are 0, 1, 4, 9 and 16. Consider Leg-
endre’s Conjecture, which was posed by the French mathematician Adrien-Marie Legendre
around 1800:

There always exists a prime between two consecutive positive perfect squares.

Express this mathematical statement in symbolic form, without using words. The only
domains that you are allowed to use are N and P.
(b) (1 mark) We don’t know if Legendre’s Conjecture is true or false. If it is false, then its
negation must be true. Express the negation of Legendre’s Conjecture in symbolic form,
without using words or the negation symbol, ‘¬’. The only domains you are allowed to use
are N and P.
(c) (1 mark) In WA1, we learned about a consequence of the Three-Square Theorem. The
actual statement of the theorem is:

The positive integers that cannot be written as a sum of three perfect squares are exactly
those that are of the form 4a−1 (8b − 1) for some positive integers a and b.

Express this mathematical statement in symbolic form, without using words or the negation
symbol, ‘¬’. The only domains you may use are N and Z.
(d) (1 mark) State the negation of Legendre’s Three-Square Theorem without using words or
the negation symbol, ‘¬’. The only domains you may use are N and Z.

Q3. (3 marks) Let P , Q and R be statement variables. Prove the logical equivalence

(P ⇒ Q) ∧ (¬Q ⇒ R) ≡ Q ∨ ¬(R ⇒ P )

without using a truth table. You must cite all properties used.

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Q4. (5 marks) Let a and b be integers. Let S be the following implication:

If ab is even, then a is even and b is odd.

(a) (1 mark) State the hypothesis of S.

(b) (1 mark) State the conclusion of S.

(c) (1 mark) State the converse of S.

(d) (1 mark) State the contrapositive of S.

(e) (1 mark) State the negation of S in a form that does not contain an implication.

Q5. (5 marks) For each of the following mathematical statements, determine if they are true or
false. Briefly justify each of your answers.

(a) (3 marks)
∀x, y ∈ R, (x < y) ⇒ (∃r ∈ R, (x < r) ∧ (y > r))

(b) (2 marks)
∀x, y ∈ Z, (x < y) ⇒ (∃r ∈ Z, (x < r) ∧ (y > r))

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