K system proof - writing proof for p and q without assumptions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving the statement |- (Box(P) ^ Box(Q)) -> Box(P ^ Q) within the context of modal logic, specifically focusing on the operator "Box," which signifies necessity. Participants are exploring the implications of the proof without making assumptions about the truth of P and Q.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the possibility of splitting the proof into separate cases to handle the lack of assumptions about P and Q. There is an exploration of how to derive Box(P) and Box(Q) without assuming their truth. Questions arise about the validity of using hypotheses and the implications of the axioms provided.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing guidance on how to approach the proof by considering different cases. Some express uncertainty about deriving P and Q without assumptions, while others clarify the nature of using hypotheses in proofs. There is no explicit consensus yet, but productive ideas are being shared.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the proof must be valid regardless of the hypotheses, and there is a focus on understanding the implications of the Box operator in modal logic. The constraints of not having P or Q given are acknowledged, which complicates the proof process.

chili5
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Homework Statement



I'm having some issues coming up with a proof for |- (Box(P) ^ Box(Q)) -> Box(P ^ Q).

Box is the unary operator for "necessary for".

Homework Equations



Axiom 1 A -> (B -> A)
Axiom 2 (A -> (B -> C)) -> ((A->B) -> (A -> C))
Axiom 3 (~a -> B) -> ((~A -> ~B) -> A)
Axiom 4 A ^ B -> A
Axiom 5 A ^ B -> B
Axiom 6 A -> (B -> A ^ B)
Modus Ponens A and A -> B write B
Nec: A written without assumptions can write Box(A)

Note: Box means necessary for.

The Attempt at a Solution



There are no assumptions for this and I started by writing

Box(p ^ q) -> (( Box(p) ^ Box(q)) -> Box(p ^ q)) by Axiom 1

Now Nec says if I can write p ^ q then I can write Box(p^q) and then use modus ponens to arrive at what I'm looking for. The problem I'm having is coming up with a proof for p ^ q.

Axiom 6 seems useful so I can write p -> (q -> (p ^ q)) which makes sense. This would require me to write p and q which is where I'm having problems. I don't even know if this is actually possible without some kind of assumption.

I'm stuck here. Does this look like it's on the right track or can somebody help me get a good start on this??

Thanks!
 
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Welcome to PF, chili5! :smile:

Couldn't you split the proof in separate proofs?

So you'd start with:
P, Q \vdash ... (Box(P) \wedge Box(Q)) \to Box(P \wedge Q)
then proof
\neg P, Q \vdash ... (Box(P) \wedge Box(Q)) \to Box(P \wedge Q)
and so forth, finally combining them to:
\vdash (Box(P) \wedge Box(Q)) \to Box(P \wedge Q)

I think you need to do something like this, because otherwise you can never get for instance Box(P).
The only way to get Box(P) is with Nec, and the only way to apply Nec is if you have P given.
 
Thanks! :)

The problem is though I'm not actually given p or q. Or is there some other reason you can write P before the turnstyle?

This is the question:

\vdash ((Box(P) ^ Box(Q)) -> Box(P ^ Q))

This is what I thought use Ax1 to write:

Box(P ^ Q) -> ((Box(P) ^ Box(Q)) -> Box(P ^ Q))

Then if we can write P ^ Q we can use Nec to write Box(P ^ Q). Then use MP on Box(P ^ Q) and line 1 from axiom 1. To write P ^ Q we need to write P and Q. We can write a proof for P -> P pretty easily. Is there someway to go from P -> P to just P?

So we have this axiom: P -> (Q -> (P ^ Q)).

so I don't think I can do this:

P, Q \vdash ... (Box(P) ^ Box(Q)) -> Box(P ^ Q)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Putting P before the turnstyle means that you use P as a hypothesis.
That is: Assuming P is true, then ...

You can't get P otherwise, since the statement P means: "P is true".
Same for P^Q, it means: "P and Q are both true".
You can state P->P, since that only means: "if P is true, then P is true", which is self-evident.

The crux of my suggestion is to split the proof in separate cases, as you would in a truth table.
Since all results are the same, the proof must be valid regardless of the hypotheses.
 
Or is there some special meaning to
Box is the unary operator for "necessary for".
?

I don't understand what you mean by this sentence.
 
I like Serena said:
Putting P before the turnstyle means that you use P as a hypothesis.
That is: Assuming P is true, then ...

You can't get P otherwise, since the statement P means: "P is true".
Same for P^Q, it means: "P and Q are both true".
You can state P->P, since that only means: "if P is true, then P is true", which is self-evident.

The crux of my suggestion is to split the proof in separate cases, as you would in a truth table.
Since all results are the same, the proof must be valid regardless of the hypotheses.

Thanks this helps a lot!
 

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