Discrete Mathematics

LECTURE 7
Applications of Rules of Inference, Rules
of Inference for Quantified Statements

Course Instructor:
1 Rida Memon
Recap

 Argument
 Format of Argument
 Premises & Conclusion
 Rules of Inference
 Examples
 Valid / Invalid Arguments
 Critical Rows & Tautology
 Fallacies
 Practice Questions

2
Rules of Inference

3
Rules of Inference

4
Building Arguments

 Show that the premises

 “It is not sunny this afternoon and it is colder than
yesterday,”
 “We will go swimming only if it is sunny,”
 “If we do not go swimming, then we will take a canoe
trip,” and
 “If we take a canoe trip, then we will be home by sunset”
 lead to the conclusion
 “We will be home by sunset”

5
Step-1: Identify Statements

 Premises
 “It is not sunny this afternoon and it is colder than
yesterday,”
 “We will go swimming only if it is sunny,”
 “If we do not go swimming, then we will take a canoe
trip,” and
 “If we take a canoe trip, then we will be home by
sunset”
 Conclusion
 “We will be home by sunset”

6
Step 2: Symbolization
 Premises
 ~s^c ~s^c
 w→s w→s
 ~w→c
~w→c
 c→h
c→h
 Conclusion
--------------
 h
∴h

7
Step 3: Applying the Rules
~s^c
--------------
∴~s Simplification Rule

~s
w→s ~s^c
-------------- w→s
~w→c
∴~w Modus Tollens c→h
--------------
8
∴h
Step 3: Applying the Rules
~w
~w→c
--------------
∴c Modus Ponens

c
~s^c
c→h w→s
~w→c
-------------- c→h
∴h Modus Ponens --------------
9
∴h
Example

 Show that the premises

 “If you send me an e-mail message, then I will finish
writing the program,”
 “If you do not send me an e-mail message, then I will go to
sleep early,” and
 “If I go to sleep early, then I will wake up feeling
refreshed”
 lead to the conclusion
 “If I do not finish writing the program, then I will wake up
feeling refreshed”

10
Step-1: Identify Statements

 Premises
 “If you send me an e-mail message, then I will finish
writing the program,”
 “If you do not send me an e-mail message, then I will go
to sleep early,”
 “If I go to sleep early, then I will wake up feeling
refreshed”
 Conclusion
 “If I do not finish writing the program, then I will wake
up feeling refreshed”

11
Step 2: Symbolization
 Premises
 e→f e→f
 ~e→s ~e→s
 s→r
s→r
 Conclusion
--------------
 ~f→r
∴~f→r

12
Step 3: Applying the Rules
e→f
--------------
≡ ~ e v fImplication Law

~e→s
--------------
≡ ~(~e) v s Implication Law e→f
~e→s
≡evs Double Negation Law s→r
------------
13

∴~f→r
Step 3: Applying the Rules
~evf
evs
--------------
∴fvs Resolution

s→r
e→f
--------------
~e→s
≡ ~s v r Implication Law s→r
------------
14

∴~f→r
Step 3: Applying the Rules
fvs
~s v r
--------------
∴fvr Resolution

fvr
-------------- e→f
~e→s
≡ ~ f → r Implication Law (Reversed)
s→r
------------
15

∴~f→r
ALTERNATE SOLUTION

 We can also solve a problem in a number of ways.

 Here, we present an alternate way to solve the same

problem.

16
Step 3: Applying the Rules
~e→s
s→r
--------------
∴ ~ e → r Hypothetical Syllogism

~e→r
-------------- e→f
≡ ~(~e) v r Implication Law ~e→s
s→r
≡ e v r Double Negation Law
------------
17

∴~f→r
Step 3: Applying the Rules
e→f
--------------
≡ ~ e v fImplication Law

~evf
evr e→f
-------------- ~e→s
s→r
∴ f v r Resolution
------------
18

∴~f→r
Step 3: Applying the Rules
fvr
--------------
≡~f→r Implication Law (Reversed)

e→f
~e→s
s→r
------------
19

∴~f→r
Rules for Quantified
Statements

20
Universal Instantiation

 If P(x) is true for all x and c is a particular member of

the domain, then P(c) is also true.

All women are wise.

-------------------
Lisa is wise.
(Because she belongs to the domain of all women)
Here the member can be either arbitrary or specific

21
Existential Instantiation

 If P(x) is true for some x then there is at least one member of the domain
c for which P(c) is also true.

Some students have not attended all the classes.

-------------------
Mr. ABC has not attended all the classes.

(Because Mr. ABC belongs to the domain of students of the class

and he did not attend all the classes)
Here the member is specific not arbitrary

22
Universal Generalization

 Reverse of Universal Instantiation.

 If P(c) is true for all elements c in the domain then ∀xP(x) is also true.

(Lisa) has two eyes.

.
.
.
-------------------
Every human has two eyes.
(Because this is true for all elements of the domain)
Here the member is arbitrary. 23
Existential Generalization

 Reverse of Existential Instantiation.

 When a particular element c with P(c) is known, then
∃xP(x) is also TRUE.

Ali has passed the Discrete Mathematics.

-------------------
At least one student has passed Discrete Mathematics.
Here the member is specific.

24
Practice Questions

 Chapter 1

 Section 1.6
 Related Problems only

25
Reading Assignment

 Chapter 1

 Section 1.6
 Page 73 – 78

26
Thanks

 End of Lecture
 Q/A

27