Logical Reasoning

Statements

Determine whether a sentence is a statement or not a statement.

Definition

A statement is a sentence of which the truth value can be determined , that is either true or false,
but not both.

•Questions, explanation and command sentences are not statements. (The truth values cannot be
determined)

Example

Determine whether each of the following sentences is a statement or not. Give the reason.

a. 4 + 3 = 84+3=8 (statement, it is a false statement).

b. The Pentagon has 55 sides (Statement, it is a true statement).

Tips

Not all the mathematical statements are true. The truth values of the mathematical statements can
be determined

Example

Determine whether the following mathematics statements are true or false.

Explain if the statement is false.

(a) 33 is a prime number (true statement)

(b) –11 > –8–11>–8 (False statement)

Because -8−8 is bigger than -11−11

(c) 55 is a factor to 88 (False statement).

55 cannot be a factor to 88.

Factors of 55 are numbers which on dividing 55 leave no remainder.

Since 55 is a prime number, it has only two factors.

Negation a statement

• Use the word no or not to negate a statement

• The negation of statement p is written as ~p

Example

Form a negation (~p) for each of the following statements (p) by using the word "no" or "not"

(a) 1313 is a multiple of 55

1313 is not a multiple of 55

(b) 2020 is a prime number

2020 is not a prime number

Determine the truth value of a compound statement

Definition

A compound statement is a combination of two or more statements by using the word "and" or
"or".

•The word "and" in a mathematical statement mean both while the word "or" means one of them
or both.

Example

Combine the following statements, qq and rr by using the words "and" or "or"

qq: A pentagon has two diagonals

rr: A heptagon has four diagonals

Solution:

1. A pentagon has two diagonals and a heptagon has four diagonals

2. A pentagon has two diagonals or a heptagon has four diagonals

3.2 Arguments
Definition

A process of making a conclusion based on statements is known as argumentations

An argument can consist of several premises and one conclusion.

A premise is a statement that gives information before making a conlusion and conclusion is an
outcome and decision.

•The specific statements are statements that refer to a particular case, while the general statements
that describe a concept.

Types of arguments

1.Deductive argument (A process of making a specific conclusion based on general premises)

2.Inductive argument (A process of making a general conclusion based on specific premises

Determine and justify the validity of deductive arguments

A valid deductive can be categorised into three forms.

Form I Form II Form III

Premise 1 All PP are QQ If aa is bb If aa is bb

Premise 2 RR is PP aa is true Not bb is true

Conclusion RR is QQ bb is true not aa is true

A deductive arguments is said to be valid if all the premises and the conclusion are true.