GEED 10053

MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

College of Science

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 Chapter 2

LANGUAGE OF MATHEMATICS

OUTLINE

1. Propositions

2. Arguments

3. Sets

4. Quantifications

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LANGUAGE OF MATHEMATICS

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, the students are able to:
i. Determine and classify propositions;
ii. Apply logical connectives in operating propositions;
iii. Characterize sets and related notions
iv. Perform set operations and solve related problems
vi. Determine and classify quantifications of propositions over a set
vi. Determine and stablish validity of arguments

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B. ARGUMENTS

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Arguments

Argument

An argument is an implication of a conjunction among propositions

p1 , p2 , p3 , ..., pk to a proposition q, i.e., the conditional

(p1 ∧ p2 ∧ p3 ∧ ... ∧ pk ) → q

is an argument.

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 Arguments

Valid Argument
An argument can be written vertically as
An argument is said to be valid if it
p1 is a tautology.
p2
p3
..
. Remark: An argument is valid if all its
pk premises are true implies that the
∴q conclusion is true. Otherwise, we say that
the argument is invalid.

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Arguments

Evaluating Arguments with Truth Table

Procedure in determining the validity of an argument:

1. Write the arguments in symbols.
2. Write the argument as a conditional statement; use a conjunction (∧)
between/among the premises and the implication (→) for the conclusion.
3. Set up and construct a truth table for the symbolic form.
4. If all truth values in the →-column are all T 0 s, then it is a tautology.
Thus, the argument is valid. Otherwise, it is invalid.

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Arguments
Example 1
Determine the validity of the argument

If you bought bread, then you went to the store.

You bought bread.
Therefore, you went to the store.

Solution:
Let
In symbols,
p→q
p :You will buy bread.
p
q :You will go to the store.
∴ q
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Arguments

As a compound proposition, ((p → q) ∧ p) → q.

p q p→q (p → q) ∧ p ((p → q) ∧ p) → q
T T
T F
F T
F F

∴ It is tautoloy.
∴ The argument is .

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Arguments
Example 2
Determine the validity of the argument

Either Glenn or Raphael will pass the subject.

Glenn passed the subject.
Therefore, Raphael didn’t pass the subject.

Solution:
Let
In symbols,
p∨q
p :Glenn will pass the subject.
p
q :Raphael will pass the subject.
∴∼ q
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Arguments

As a compound proposition, ((p ∨ q) ∧ p) →∼ q.

p q p∨q (p ∨ q) ∧ p ∼q ((p ∨ q) ∧ p) →∼ q
T T
T F
F T
F F

∴ It is tautology.
∴ The argument is .

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Arguments
Example 3
Determine the validity of the argument

If Ian and Erika are friends, then they are Facebook friends.
Ian and Erika are not Facebook friends.
Therefore, Ian and Erika are not friends.

Solution:
Let
In symbols,

p→q
p :Ian and Erika are friends.
∼q
q :Ian and Erika are Facebook friends.
∴∼ p
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Arguments

As a compound proposition, ((p → q)∧ ∼ q) →∼ p.

p q p→q ∼q (p → q)∧ ∼ q ∼p ((p → q)∧ ∼ q) →∼ p

T T
T F
F T
F F

∴ It is tautology.
∴ The argument is .

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Arguments
Example 4
Determine the validity of the argument

If I go to the mall, then I’ll buy new jeans.

If I buy new jeans, I’ll buy a shirt.
Therefore, if I go to the mall, I’ll buy a shirt.

Solution:
Let
In symbols,
p :I will go to the mall. p→q
q :I will buy new jeans. q→r
r :I will buy a shirt. ∴ p→r
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Arguments
As a compound proposition, ((p → q) ∧ (q → r )) → (p → r ).

p q r p→q q→r ((p → q) ∧ (q → r )) p → r →

T T T
T T F
T F T
T F F
F T T
F T F
F F T
F F F

∴ It is tautology.
∴ The argument is .
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Arguments
Example 5
Determine the validity of the argument

If Romeo loves Juliet, then Romeo is willing to die for Juliet.

Romeo does not love Juliet.
Therefore, Romeo is not willing to die for Juliet.

Solution:
Let
In symbols,

p→q
p :Romeo loves Juliet.
∼p
q :Romeo is willing to die for Juliet.
∴∼ q
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Arguments

As a compound proposition, ((p → q)∧ ∼ p) →∼ q.

p q p→q ∼p (p → q)∧ ∼ p ∼q ((p → q)∧ ∼ p) →∼ q

T T
T F
F T
F F

∴ It is tautoloy.
∴ The argument is .

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Arguments
Evaluating Arguments using Common Valid Argument Structures
1. Modus Ponens 3. Disjunctive Syllogism

p→q p∨q
p ∼p
∴ q ∴ q

2. Modus Tollens 4. Hypothetical Syllogism

p→q p→q
∼q q→r
∴∼ p ∴ p→r
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Arguments
Evaluating Arguments using Common Invalid Argument Structures
1. Fallacy of the Converse 3. Disjunctive Fallacy

p→q p∨q
q p
∴ p ∴∼ q

2. Fallacy of the Inverse 4. Fallacy of the Conditional Chain

p→q p→q
∼p r→q
∴∼ q ∴ p→r
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Arguments

Example 6
Determine the validity of the argument

If an ad campaign is a success, then the marketing manager won’t lose her job.
The marketing manager lost her job.
Therefore, the ad campaign was not a success.

Solution:
Let
p :An ad campaign will be a success.
q :The marketing manager lost her job.

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Arguments

In symbols,
p →∼ q
q
∴ ∼ p.
Observe that ∼ (∼ q) ⇔ q. Hence, we can express the above representation as

p →∼ q
∼ (∼ q)
∴ ∼ p.

Thus, it follows Modus Tollens. Therefore, the argument is valid.

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Arguments

Example 7
Determine the validity of the argument

If today is a holiday, then we don’t have classes.

Today is not a holiday.
Therefore, we have classes.

Solution:
Let
p :Today is a holiday.
q :We will have classes.

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Arguments

In symbols,
p →∼ q
∼p
∴ q.
Observe that ∼ (∼ q) ⇔ q. Hence, we can express the above representation as

p →∼ q
∼p
∴ ∼ (∼ q).

Thus, it follows Fallacy of the Inverse. Therefore, the argument is invalid.

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Arguments
Example 8
Determine the validity of the argument

If Paul sings pop, then Bella will dance ballet.

If Aira plays for the main role, then Bella will dance ballet.
Therefore, if Paul sings pop then Aira plays for the main role.

Solution:
Let
p :Paul sings pop.
q :Bella dances ballet.
r :Aira plays for the main role.

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Arguments

In symbols,
p→q
r →q
∴ p → r.

Thus, it follows Fallacy of the Conditional Chain. Therefore, the argument is invalid.

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Arguments

Example 9
Determine the validity of the argument

My client wants to stay at the penthouse or at an exclusive suite.

He couldn’t stay on the penthouse.
Therefore, he stayed in an exclusive suite..

Solution:
Let
p :My client wants to stay at the penthouse.
q :My client wants to stay at an exclusive suite .

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Arguments

In symbols,
p∨q
∼p
∴ q.

Thus, it follows Disjunctive Syllogism. Therefore, the argument is valid.

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References

1. Angel, A.R., Abbott, C.D. & Runde, D.C. (2012). A Survey of

Mathematics with Applications. Pearson Education Inc.
2. Lippman, D. (2017). Math in Society. Pierce College Ft Steilacoom
3. Rosen, K.. (2012). Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications. McGraw Hill
4. Smith, K.J. (1998). Nature of Mathematics. Brooks/Cole Publishing Company
5. Statzkow, R. & Bradshaw, R. (1995). The Mathematical Palette. Saunders
College Publishing

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