Logic problems involving quantifiers

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The discussion focuses on homework problems involving quantifiers in logic. The user seeks feedback on their symbolic translations and denials of various propositions. Most translations are correct, but the translation for "Some people are honest and some people are not honest" is incorrect; it should reflect the existence of both honest and dishonest individuals. Additionally, there is a note about the correct use of symbols for quantifiers. Overall, the user is on the right track with their understanding of quantifiers.
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Here are some of my homework problems involving quantifiers. My answer is listed below the question. Could someone give me some feedback on whether my answers are correct?

1. Translate the sentence into a symbolic sentence with quantifiers.
a) Some isosceles triangle is a right triangle.
(there exists an x) (x is an isosceles triangle ^ x is a right triangle)
b) No right triangle is isosceles.
(for all x) (x is a right triangle implies x is not isosceles)
c) All people are honest or no one is honest.
(for all x) (x is honest) or (for all x) (x is not honest)
d) Some people are honest and some people are not honest.
(for all x) (x is honest or x is not honest)

2. For each proposition, write a useful denial, and translate it into ordinary English.

a) Not all precious stones are beautiful.
Denial: All precious stones are beautiful.
(for all x) (x is a precious stone implies x is beautiful)
b) No right triangle is isosceles.
Denial: There exists a right triangle which is isosceles.
(there exists x) (x is a right triangle ^ x is isosceles)
c) No one loves everybody.
Denial: someone loves everybody.
(there exists x) (x is a person ^ x loves everybody)
d) Everybody loves someone.
Denial: Everybody does not love someone.
(there exists x) (x is a person ^ x does not love someone)

I'm using the symbology of a backwards E to denote "there exists an x" and an upside down A to denote "for all x."

Can someone tell me if I'm on the right track with these?
Thanks!
 
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eku_girl83 said:
Here are some of my homework problems involving quantifiers. My answer is listed below the question. Could someone give me some feedback on whether my answers are correct?

1. Translate the sentence into a symbolic sentence with quantifiers.
a) Some isosceles triangle is a right triangle.
(there exists an x) (x is an isosceles triangle ^ x is a right triangle)
b) No right triangle is isosceles.
(for all x) (x is a right triangle implies x is not isosceles)
c) All people are honest or no one is honest.
(for all x) (x is honest) or (for all x) (x is not honest)
d) Some people are honest and some people are not honest.
(for all x) (x is honest or x is not honest)

a, b, c look okay. d is not correct since it would be true if all people were honest. I would say "(there exist x)(x is honest) and (there exist x)(x is not honest)"

2. For each proposition, write a useful denial, and translate it into ordinary English.

a) Not all precious stones are beautiful.
Denial: All precious stones are beautiful.
(for all x) (x is a precious stone implies x is beautiful)
b) No right triangle is isosceles.
Denial: There exists a right triangle which is isosceles.
(there exists x) (x is a right triangle ^ x is isosceles)
c) No one loves everybody.
Denial: someone loves everybody.
(there exists x) (x is a person ^ x loves everybody)
d) Everybody loves someone.
Denial: Everybody does not love someone.
(there exists x) (x is a person ^ x does not love someone)

I'm using the symbology of a backwards E to denote "there exists an x" and an upside down A to denote "for all x."

Can someone tell me if I'm on the right track with these?
Thanks!

Except for 1 d, you are fine.
 


Your answers look correct to me. Just a small note, the upside-down A is typically used to denote "for all x" and the backwards E is used to denote "there exists an x." So in your translations, you could switch the quantifiers to match the symbols. Other than that, your answers are well done. Keep up the good work!
 
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