How to learn resolution in predicate logic?

[shivajikobardan]

Homework Statement

resolution refutation in predicate logic

Relevant Equations

resolution refutation method etc.

This is not really a homework question so don't bother answering them. It is more of a guidance problem. This is what I find the hardest out of all topics.. Unfortunately, this topic is a fixed 10 marks question in our 80 marks exam. Comes every time.

The types of questions that I need to deal with my exams are like this-:
john likes all kinds of food.
apples are food
chicken is food
anything anyone eats and isn't killed by is food
bill eats peanuts and is still alive.
sue eats everything bill eats.
prove that john like peanuts using resolution.

 

[pbuk]

Here are the steps towards solving problems like this:

• We need to prove that John likes peanuts.
• What do we know about John?
  • John likes all kinds of food.
• So if we can prove that peanuts are food we are done.
• What do we know about peanuts?
  • Bill eats peanuts and is still alive.
• What do we know when someone eats something and is still alive?
  • Anything anyone eats and isn't killed by is food.

Put that together using whatever notation your course demands. Why don't you post a more complicated example and work through it until you get stuck?

 

[shivajikobardan]

Here are the steps towards solving problems like this:

• We need to prove that John likes peanuts.
• What do we know about John?
  • John likes all kinds of food.
• So if we can prove that peanuts are food we are done.
• What do we know about peanuts?
  • Bill eats peanuts and is still alive.
• What do we know when someone eats something and is still alive?
  • Anything anyone eats and isn't killed by is food.

Put that together using whatever notation your course demands. Why don't you post a more complicated example and work through it until you get stuck?

thanks bro. i am solving tons of examples first. will post complicated example soon.