Get Help with Predicate Logic and Truth Values: Examples and Symbolization Tips

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on solving truth values in predicate logic, specifically using a set of positive integers and various predicates. Participants clarify the meanings of quantifiers and provide guidance on symbolizing sentences related to mammals, including lions and tigers. Key points include determining the truth values of several logical statements, with conclusions drawn that statements a, b, c, and d are respectively false, true, false, and false. The importance of allowing more time for responses in future inquiries is also emphasized. Overall, the conversation aids in understanding predicate logic and its applications.
yankes2k
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Hey everyone,

Just need some help on some truth values of a predicate logic interpretation. Here is the info. I will be using A(capital variable) to mean universal quantifier and EEX(capital variable) to mean existential quantifier.

UD: Set of positive integers
Bx: x is an even number
Gxy: x is greater than y.
Exy: x equals y.
Mxyz: x minus y equals z
a: 1
c: 3

a) (AX)(AY)(~Exy<->Gxy)
b) (AX)(Eax v Gxa)
c) (AX)(EEXY)(Gyx & (EEXZ)Mzxy)
d) (EEXX)((Bx & Gxc) & ~(EEXY)mxcy)

One more also...symbolize the following sentences of PL using the key.

UD:Mammals
Cxy: x is chasing y.
Lx: x is a lion
Ax: x is a formidable animal
Fx: x is a ferocius
Tx: x is a tiger
Bx: x is best avoided
b: Bruce willis
d: Danny Devito

1) Danny devito and ferocious lions and tigers are all best avoided.
2)If any tiger is ferocious, all formidable animals that chase danny devito are.
3)Not all things that are chased by lions are ferocious.

I am really having trouble please advise...I will be up until 1am Easter US time...thanks guys for the help.

-TOny
 
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What do you need to do? With the first group, you're trying to find a proof or counterexample?
With the second, you just need to formalize them?

Edit: Oh, I'm blind. I'll take a look at the second group.
 
Last edited:
yankes2k said:
UD:Mammals
Cxy: x is chasing y.
Lx: x is a lion
Ax: x is a formidable animal
Fx: x is a ferocius
Tx: x is a tiger
Bx: x is best avoided
b: Bruce willis
d: Danny Devito

1) Danny devito and ferocious lions and tigers are all best avoided.
I haven't actually done this much, but here goes. You can take one piece at a time at first and combine them afterward. So
"Danny Devito is best avoided" is easy: Bd.
It isn't clear whether the ferocious property applies to only lions or both lions and tigers! I'll assume it applies to both.
"Ferocious lions are best avoided". You're attributing the property B to all ferocious lions, so what quantifier do you need? A.
AX(If x is a lion and x is ferocious, then x is best avoided)
Can you handle that?
 
Okay, well, time is up. Just a suggestion: If you want help with your problems, a few hours is unrealistic. You have a much better chance of getting help if you post them a day in advance, so people have a chance to see them in time. And the more time you give us, the better. :smile:
But in case you check this in the morning...
yankes2k said:
UD: Set of positive integers
Bx: x is an even number
Gxy: x is greater than y.
Exy: x equals y.
Mxyz: x minus y equals z
a: 1
c: 3

a) (AX)(AY)(~Exy<->Gxy)
So obviously Gxy -> ~Exy. But ~Exy -> Gxy doesn't hold. The thing you need to know here is that for all x and y, exactly one of the following is true: Exy or Gxy or Lxy. (Lxy means x is less than y.) More pointedly, AXAY(Gxy -> ~Lxy) and AXAY(Lxy <-> Gyx), so AXAY(Gxy -> ~Gyx).
b) (AX)(Eax v Gxa)
IOW, is there any positive integer less than 1?
c) (AX)(EEXY)(Gyx & (EEXZ)Mzxy)
For any x, is there a y that's greater? The set of positive integers is infinite. (z - x = y) <=> (z = y + x). If x and y are positive integers, does their sum exist, and is it also a positive integer?
d) (EEXX)((Bx & Gxc) & ~(EEXY)mxcy)
So the first part: Does there exist a positive even integer greater than 3? Second part: And for which there is no y such that x - 3 = y? So you need x - 3 to not be a positive integer; There are two ways that can happen: x - 3 = 0 or x - 3 < 0. You can rule out x - 3 = 0 because x > 3. If x - 3 < 0, then x < 3 (add 3 to both sides). So you can rule out x - 3 < 0. So there exists no such x.

Not sure if this is really what you were looking for, but it should at least get you started.
 
that's great. With the first set I only had to assign true values to them based on the information listed in the interpretation. Next time I will definately post in advance. Again, thanks for the help. Based on what you have said I'm going to conclude the following for a-d.

a)False
b)True
c)False
d)False

What do you think does this sound right?
 
yankes2k said:
a)False
b)True
c)False
d)False

What do you think does this sound right?
c is claiming that, in the set of positive integers, for every x that you choose, you can find a y that is greater than x (this is correct so far) and the sum of x and y is also a positive integer. (z - x = y) <=> (z = y + x). So if you add two positive integers together, will you get another positive integer? Yes. So c is true. The rest are correct, I believe.
 
Actually,

I think if z-x=y and y+x=Z is true then (c) must be true.
 
up sorry posted before refreshing the page. Well at least I figured it out lol.

Thanks again so much.
 

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