Predicates and Quanitifiers - Can't understand Question

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding a logical statement involving predicates and quantifiers, specifically focusing on the implications of odd integers and a defined notion of "big" integers. Participants explore how to express the statement in conversational English and seek to identify a counter-example to demonstrate its validity or lack thereof.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about how to interpret the logical statement, considering both a simpler and a more complex understanding of the implication.
  • Another participant clarifies the interpretation of the logical statement, emphasizing the conventional reading of the implication and the roles of the predicates involved.
  • A participant suggests that producing a counter-example involves substituting specific values for m and n to test the statement's validity.
  • Another participant agrees with the counter-example provided, noting that the outcome demonstrates the statement's irrationality, while also commenting on the nature of statements being true or false.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the interpretation of the logical statement and the method for finding a counter-example, but there is no consensus on the validity of the original statement itself, as it remains contested.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the underlying assumptions about the predicates or the implications of the counter-example, leaving open questions regarding the broader applicability of the statement.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in logic, mathematical reasoning, and the application of predicates and quantifiers in formal statements.

Tvtakaveli
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Hi I'm new here but can't get my head around this problem.

We use the predicates O and B, with domain the integers. O(n) is true if n is odd, and
B(n) is true if n if big, which here means that n > 100.
(a) Express ∀m, n ∈ Z|O(m) ∧ B(n) ⇒ B(n − m) in conversational English.
(b) Find a counter-example to this statement.

Now i take it two ways;
Just expressing the imply part of the statement so,
The difference between n and m is big.

Or is it deeper than that like;
For every m, n is an element of Z and so m is odd and n is big. This implies the difference between n and m is big.

Thank you for the help!
 
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Tvtakaveli said:
(a) Express ∀m, n ∈ Z|O(m) ∧ B(n) ⇒ B(n − m) in conversational English.
I assume that ∧ binds stronger than ⇒ (similar to times and plus, respectively). This is a usual convention. Then the formula should be read literally. The part after | has the form P ⇒ Q. Such formula is read "If P, then Q". Next, the assumption P is O(m) ∧ B(n). This is read "m is odd and n is big". Finally, the conclusion Q of the implication is B(n − m), which is read "n - m is big". Altogether the quantifier-free part is "If m is odd and n is big, then n - m is big". Adding the quantifiers gives the final answer:

For all m and n, if m is odd and n is big, then n - m is big.

I would say that if it is stipulated that the domain is the set of integers, it is not necessary to say "for all integer m and n": this is assumed.
 
Hi, thanks for clearing that up, I really appreciate it.

So just to confirm, producing a counter statement would just be substituting values. E. G.

Let m = 9 and n=105. 105-9 =96 which is not big (>100) therefore the statement is irrational.
 
Tvtakaveli said:
Let m = 9 and n=105. 105-9 =96 which is not big (>100) therefore the statement is irrational.
Yes. The only remark is that statements can be true or false, and real numbers can be rational or irrational.
 
Last edited:

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