Converse, Contrapositive and Negation for multiple Quantifiers

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on translating logical statements involving quantifiers into symbolic and English forms, specifically for the implications of printer status and job queues. The original statement, "If every printer is busy then there is a job in the queue," is symbolically represented as (∀pB(p)) → (∃jQ(j)). The correct converse is (∃jQ(j)) → (∀pB(p)), and the contrapositive is ¬(∃jQ(j)) → ¬(∀pB(p)). The negation, which combines both parts with an AND operator, is expressed as (∀pB(p)) ∧ ¬(∃jQ(j)).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of first-order logic and quantifiers
  • Familiarity with symbolic logic notation
  • Knowledge of logical implications and their transformations
  • Basic proficiency in translating between natural language and symbolic expressions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of first-order logic
  • Learn about logical equivalences and transformations
  • Explore the use of quantifiers in mathematical logic
  • Practice translating complex statements into symbolic logic
USEFUL FOR

Students of mathematics, computer science, or philosophy who are learning about logic, as well as educators teaching logical reasoning and symbolic representation.

Sandra Tan
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
If every printer is busy then there is a job in the queue.

where B(p) = Printer p is busy and Q(j) = Print job j is queued.

When it's translated to symbol, we'll have (∀pB(p)) → (∃jQ(j)).

I'm trying to translate this statement to both English and symbol forms for Converse, Contrapositive and Negation.

Following is what i have got so far:
Converse
in words: If there is a job in the queue, then every printer is busy.
in symbol: (∃jQ(j)) → (∀pB(p))

Contrapositive
in words: If there is no job in the queue, then not every printer is busy.
in symbol: ¬(∃jQ(j)) → ¬(∀pB(p))

Negation
in words: Every printer is busy and there is no job in the queue.
in symbol: (not sure)

It's the symbol part that I'm not sure if they are correct or not. Any advice would be appreciated!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Sandra Tan said:
If every printer is busy then there is a job in the queue.

where B(p) = Printer p is busy and Q(j) = Print job j is queued.

When it's translated to symbol, we'll have (∀pB(p)) → (∃jQ(j)).

I'm trying to translate this statement to both English and symbol forms for Converse, Contrapositive and Negation.

Following is what i have got so far:
Converse
in words: If there is a job in the queue, then every printer is busy.
in symbol: (∃jQ(j)) → (∀pB(p))

Contrapositive
in words: If there is no job in the queue, then not every printer is busy.
in symbol: ¬(∃jQ(j)) → ¬(∀pB(p))

Negation
in words: Every printer is busy and there is no job in the queue.
in symbol: (not sure)

It's the symbol part that I'm not sure if they are correct or not. Any advice would be appreciated!
Hi Sandra,

The first two propositions are correct.

For the third one, the natural language is correct too. For the symbolic form, note that you already have (from the first two parts) the expression of the two parts of the statement:

Every printer is busy: $\forall p B(p)$
There is no job in the queue: $\neg(\exists j Q(J))$

and all you have to do is to connect these two proposition with AND ($\wedge$).
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
6K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
7K
Replies
42
Views
8K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
3K