How to give a proof of tautologies?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of tautologies in logic, exploring definitions, examples, and requests for proofs without using truth tables. Participants engage in clarifying terms and posing questions related to logical equivalence and implications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant defines a tautology as a proposition that is always true and contrasts it with a contradiction, providing examples.
  • Another participant suggests that the examples given may refer to $p \lor \bar{p}$ and $p \land \bar{p}$, questioning the implications of these formulas.
  • There is a request for proofs of tautologies using appropriate rules of logic, with an acknowledgment that these rules may vary by textbook.
  • Participants discuss the validity of implications in hypothetical scenarios related to attending movies based on being free or busy.
  • There are technical issues raised regarding the visibility of images in the posts, with participants attempting to resolve this concern.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the examples of tautologies and the methods of proof, indicating that no consensus has been reached on these points. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific proofs and implications of the propositions mentioned.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the definitions of tautologies and contradictions may not be universally accepted, and the discussion reflects varying interpretations of logical rules and examples.

Henry R
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Okay. Hello =) =) I am confuse regarding to this matter.

Now, I'm going to write about tautologies.

A proposition p is always true is called a tautology. A proposition p that is always false is called a contradiction.

Example :
p v p is an example of tautology
P ^ P is an example of contradiction

Suppose that the compound proposition p is made up of
propositions p 1 ... p n and compound proposition q is made up of propositions q 1 ... q n , we say that p and q are logically equivalent and write it as p ≡ q
provided that given any truth values of p 1 ... p n and truth values of q 1 ... q n , either p and q are both true or p and q are both false.

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Here's the question : Which of the following are tautologies? If the statement is a tautology, give a proof using the appropriate rules of logic. (Avoid using truth tables if possible.) If it is not a tautology, then justify your answer by giving an appropriate example for the following questions below :

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Thank you so much for reading my thread. =)
 

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Henry R said:
p v p is an example of tautology
P ^ P is an example of contradiction
These must mean $p\lor\bar{p}$ and $p\land\bar{p}$.

Henry R said:
Here's the question : Which of the following are tautologies?
Have you figured this out using truth tables or common sense? For the first formula, is it true that $p$ always implies $p$ or $q$? For the second one, suppose that if you are free, then you go to the movies, and if you are busy, you also go to the movies. If it is known that you are either free, busy or went to the movies, does it follow that you are watching a movie?

Henry R said:
If the statement is a tautology, give a proof using the appropriate rules of logic.
The set of appropriate rules of logic differs from one textbook or course to the next. It would be nice if you listed them.
 
Evgeny.Makarov said:
These must mean $p\lor\bar{p}$ and $p\land\bar{p}$.

Have you figured this out using truth tables or common sense? For the first formula, is it true that $p$ always implies $p$ or $q$? For the second one, suppose that if you are free, then you go to the movies, and if you are busy, you also go to the movies. If it is known that you are either free, busy or went to the movies, does it follow that you are watching a movie?

The set of appropriate rules of logic differs from one textbook or course to the next. It would be nice if you listed them.

Um just wondering? Can you see the pictures?? the png pictures? It just I can't see it. But, by the way thank you so much.
 
Henry R said:
Um just wondering? Can you see the pictures?? the png pictures?
Do you mean the three images in post #1? Yes, I see them.

Henry R said:
It just I can't see it.
That's strange. Maybe you can start a thread about in the http://mathhelpboards.com/questions-comments-feedback-25/ subforum. You could post a screenshot there of how you see post #1.
 
Evgeny.Makarov said:
Do you mean the three images in post #1? Yes, I see them.

That's strange. Maybe you can start a thread about in the http://mathhelpboards.com/questions-comments-feedback-25/ subforum. You could post a screenshot there of how you see post #1.

Oh ya, now I can see it if I'm online.
 

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