View Full Version : What is the negation of this?
jumbogala
Oct6-11, 09:01 PM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
For all integers y, there is an integer x such that x^2 + x = y.
2. Relevant equations
3. The attempt at a solution
Is it there exists an integer y such that for all integers x, x^2 + x = y
OR
There exists an integer y such that for all integers x, x^2 + x DOES NOT EQUAL y?
I believe it is the second one but I'm not sure. I'm not trying to actually prove this.
NascentOxygen
Oct6-11, 09:51 PM
EDIT: I mistook your answer as a restatement of the question.
I smart a** answer is "It is not the case that, for all integers y, there is an integer x such that x^2 + x = y."
However, your preferred choice, the second one, is correct.
If your first one is true, it could still be the case that the original statement is also true.
HallsofIvy
Oct7-11, 08:54 AM
Generally, the negation of "if p then q" is "q and not p" (q is true and p is not true).
Your original statement, "For all integers y, there is an integer x such that x^2 + x = y" is the same as "if y is an integer, then there is an integer, x, such that x^2+ x= y" so its negative would be "there exist an integer, y, such that for no integer, x, is it true that x^2+ x= y", which is the same as your second statement.
[QUOTE=HallsofIvy;3544835]Generally, the negation of "if p then q" is "q and not p" (q is true and p is not true).
/QUOTE]
Is not it "p and not q instead"?
ehild
DivisionByZro
Oct7-11, 03:28 PM
An easy way to tackle these types of problems is to put it in quantifier notation:
"For all integers y, there is an integer x such that x^2 + x = y."
Becomes:
(\forall y \in \mathbb{Z})( \exists x\in\mathbb{Z})\backepsilon (x^2+x=y)
Of which the negation is:
(\exists y \in \mathbb{Z})( \forall x\in\mathbb{Z})\backepsilon (x^2+x\neq y)
Note: I use /backepsilon for my "such that"; if there is a more common notation for it, I would love to know. :D
NascentOxygen
Oct7-11, 06:05 PM
Note: I use /backepsilon for my "such that"; if there is a more common notation for it, I would love to know. :D
Have you seen anyone else using that? :smile:
I always say the colon ":" as "such that". How else could it be pronounced? Okay, "where", also.
(\exists y \in \mathbb{Z})( \forall x\in\mathbb{Z}) : (x^2+x\neq y)
DivisionByZro
Oct7-11, 06:45 PM
Have you seen anyone else using that? :smile:
I always say the colon ":" as "such that". How else could it be pronounced? Okay, "where", also.
(\exists y \in \mathbb{Z})( \forall x\in\mathbb{Z}) : (x^2+x\neq y)
Ah yes, I should probably use either " | " or " : "; from set-builder notation. This makes it less confusing since epsilon already means something different.
And for your question, I've actually seen some people using a backwards epsilon for their "such that". It is odd to see.
HallsofIvy
Oct7-11, 07:07 PM
Generally, the negation of "if p then q" is "q and not p" (q is true and p is not true).
Is not it "p and not q instead"?
ehild
Yes, you are right. How silly of me.
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