How do I find the equivalent statement to the statement ~(p -> ~q)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the equivalent statement to the expression ~(p -> ~q). Participants explore various methods of manipulating logical statements, particularly focusing on the implications of negation and the transformation of conditionals into disjunctions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about arriving at the equivalent of ~(p -> ~q) and attempts various transformations, suggesting a misunderstanding of the rules of negation and implications.
  • Another participant suggests changing the implication to a disjunction before distributing the negation, proposing a sequence of transformations that leads to p ^ q.
  • A later reply confirms that the method of negating the disjunction is valid and leads to the correct result, while questioning the initial participant's understanding of the rules.
  • There is a mention of different interpretations of rules regarding parentheses and how they might affect the transformations, indicating variability in approaches among participants.
  • One participant notes that there are often multiple valid methods to prove logical equivalences, emphasizing that finding one way can suggest others.
  • Another participant introduces an equivalence relation regarding the negation of a conditional, suggesting it as a foundational step in proofs by contradiction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best method for transforming the expression, with multiple approaches and interpretations presented. There is acknowledgment of different rules and methods, but no definitive agreement on a singular process.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the application of rules and the order of operations in logical transformations. The discussion highlights the complexity of logical equivalences and the potential for multiple valid approaches.

MiffedMFG1106St
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~(p -> ~q) <=> ? :confused:

I am having a heck of a time figuring this out, and I keep basically wanting to distribute the negation symbol to each individual simple statement in the conditional statement arriving at...

~[~(p -> ~q)] <=> ?
~(~p -> q) <=> ?
p -> ~q <=> ~p V ~q <=> ~(p ^ q)

But the book says I should come to p ^ q.

What am I doing wrong here. :confused:
 
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Did you try changing the implication to a disjunction first, before distributing the negation?

1] ~(p -> ~q)
2] ~(~p v ~q)
3] ?
 
honestrosewater said:
Did you try changing the implication to a disjunction first, before distributing the negation?

1] ~(p -> ~q)
2] ~(~p v ~q)
3] ?

Thanks for your reply honestrosewater.

Okay if I play that way

~(~p v ~q) <=> ~[~(p ^ q)] <=> p ^ q

Is that the correct process to acquire that answer then. First negate the antecedent and change the conditional to a disjunction. Then does the ~ distribute to both as in my answer above? Or am I going about this the wrong way? :confused:
 
Sure, that is one way, if you have the rules to do that. You could also distribute the outer negation first and then drop the double negations.

1] ~(p -> ~q)
2] ~(~p v ~q)
3] ~~p ^ ~~q
4] p ^ q

Why does it not seem right to you?
 
honestrosewater said:
Sure, that is one way, if you have the rules to do that. You could also distribute the outer negation first and then drop the double negations.

1] ~(p -> ~q)
2] ~(~p v ~q)
3] ~~p ^ ~~q
4] p ^ q

Why does it not seem right to you?

It does now, I wasn't paying attention to the rule of starting with the statement in parentheses first, the least dominant statement. Is that correct?

BTW, thanks for the help so far.
 
Last edited:
Well, people have different rules about parentheses, so I might not be following your rules. But they are just different ways of writing the same thing. I'm not sure what rule you are talking about.

If I added back in parentheses around every single proposition, it would look like this:

1] (~((p) -> (~(q))))
2] (~((~(p)) v (~(q)))
3] ((~(~(p))) ^ (~(~(q))))
4] ((p) ^ (q))

Unless I missed some, haha.

There is often more than one way to prove something. In fact, there are often infinitely many ways, since, for one thing, you can just add in extra steps that don't do anything. So I wouldn't worry about finding the way or even the shortest or best way. If you find one way, it usually suggests other ways.

Why are you unsure about your equivalences? You can just check that each one is an instance of one of your rules, right?

You're very welcome. Welcome to PF, by the bye. :biggrin:
 
MiffedMFG1106St said:
~(p -> ~q) <=> ? :confused:

I am having a heck of a time figuring this out, and I keep basically wanting to distribute the negation symbol to each individual simple statement in the conditional statement arriving at...

~[~(p -> ~q)] <=> ?
~(~p -> q) <=> ?
p -> ~q <=> ~p V ~q <=> ~(p ^ q)

But the book says I should come to p ^ q.

What am I doing wrong here. :confused:


There's an important eqivalence relation regarding negation of a conditional
(assuming a propositional logic).

~(p->q) <=> (p ^ ~q)

It's important because it's the first step in a proof by contradiction.
(In a predicate logic equipped with quantifiers (and most are)
life can be more difficult.)
In your problem, the result p ^ q is immediate from the above identity.
 

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