Can This Predicate Calculus Proof Be Established?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the possibility of establishing a proof within predicate calculus for the statement that for all positive real numbers a and b, a ≤ b if and only if a² ≤ b². Participants explore the definitions and axioms related to the predicate calculus and the implications of the statement.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the statement to be proven and asks if it can be established within predicate calculus.
  • Another participant questions the initial formulation, suggesting a correction to the inequality involving a².
  • A participant clarifies the definition of the "<" predicate in the context of predicate calculus, referencing axioms of real numbers.
  • Further elaboration is provided on the substitution of variables in predicate calculus and how it relates to the proof.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the need for a proof, likening the situation to a contradiction or tautology.
  • Another participant outlines a method for proving the statement using a specific approach involving substitution and comparison of squares.
  • A correction is made regarding the expression used in the proof, indicating a specific relationship between variables.
  • A participant asserts that the previous proofs do not conform to the standards of predicate calculus and suggests that an example from their notes may clarify the matter.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity and validity of the proposed proof within predicate calculus. There is no consensus on whether the proof can be established as initially presented, and multiple interpretations of the problem exist.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the potential ambiguity in definitions and the varying interpretations of the proof structure within predicate calculus. Some mathematical steps remain unresolved, and the discussion reflects differing levels of understanding regarding the requirements for a valid proof.

poutsos.A
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[tex]\forall a\forall b[/tex][( a>0 & b>0)------> (a[tex]\leq b[/tex] <------>[tex]a^{2}[/tex][tex]\leq b^{2}[/tex])].

or in words: for all a and for all b , if a>0 and b>0 then .a[tex]\leq b[/tex] iff [tex]a^{2}[/tex][tex]\leq b^{2}[/tex]

is there a possibility for a proof within the predicate calculus??
 
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Surely that's not what you meant? Surely you mean [itex]a^2\le b^2[/itex].
 
poutsos.A said:
[tex]\forall a\forall b[/tex][( a>0 & b>0)------> (a[tex]\leq b[/tex] <------>[tex]a^{2}[/tex][tex]\leq b^{2}[/tex])].

or in words: for all a and for all b , if a>0 and b>0 then .a[tex]\leq b[/tex] iff [tex]a^{2}[/tex][tex]\leq b^{2}[/tex]

is there a possibility for a proof within the predicate calculus??

yes thank you it is [tex]a^{2}[/tex][tex]\leq b^{2}[/tex],instead of [tex]a^{2}[/tex][tex]\leq a^{2}[/tex]
 
I'm not at all clear on what your question is.

How do you define "<" in the "predicate calculus"?
 
< is a two place predicate symbol x<y or y<x .

The axioms and theorems concerning < are exactly those of the real Nos,i.e trichotomy law ,transitivity e.t.c.

Now writing a proof within predicate calculus means writing a proof where one uses quantified formulas in which the introduction and elimination of quantifiers is done according to the axioms and theorems of predicate calculus.

Note predicate calculus includes propositional logic as well
 
[tex]\forall x\alpha\rightarrow\alpha^{x}_{t}[/tex], where t is substituable for x in [tex]\alpha[/tex].[tex]\alpha^{x}_{t}[/tex] is the expression obtained from the fomula [tex]\alpha[/tex] by replacing the variable x, whenever it occurs free in [tex]\alpha[/tex], by the term t (see "substitution section" of First-order logic (wiki).

[tex]\forall a\forall b\phi[/tex], where [tex]\phi[/tex] is the wff [( a>0 & b>0)------> (a<= b <-> a^2 <= b^2)], a and b occurs free in [tex]\phi[/tex]. Thus we can replace "a" by a term( variable) "x" and "b" by a term(variable) "y", respectively.

Now, it reduces to prove the below statement.
( x>0 & y>0)------> (x <=y <-> x^2 <= y^2).

To prove ->
Let y = x + k (k>=0) . Square y and compare x^2.
To prove <-
Use a contrapositive method.
 
I don't see what there is to prove here, it's like p&~p contradiction, and pv~p a tautology. (-:

anyway, a<=b means there exists a real c>=0 s.t b=a+c, after squaring you get:
b^2=a^2+c^2+2ac, a is positive and so is c, denote d=c^2+2ac>0.
for the other way around you just reverse what youv'e done so far cleverly.
b^2=a^2+d, b=+-sqrt(a^2+d) we know that b>0 so we choose the plus sign, b=sqrt(a^2+d), now we need to show there exists e>0 such that b=a+e choose a+e=sqrt(a^2+d)
then raise the square, and I let you fill the minor details... (-:
 
Correction, e=sqrt(a^2+d)-a

QED.
cheers...
 
definitely the above proofs are not proofs within predicate calculus,perhaps an example from my notes will give you an idea.

thanks
 
  • #10
So how did you prove it eventually?
 

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