Proving: Proof by Contradiction

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding a proof by contradiction within a deductive system, specifically examining a theorem and its proof as presented in a text. Participants explore the validity of the proof steps and the rules of deduction that underpin them.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion over the proof's steps, particularly the transition to part 4, and questions the clarity of the text.
  • Another participant notes that understanding the proof requires knowledge of the specific axioms used, suggesting that the lack of context may hinder comprehension.
  • A participant clarifies that an axiom allows a sentence to be proved by itself, indicating a foundational aspect of the deductive system.
  • One participant proposes a hypothetical scenario questioning the validity of proof by contradiction, which introduces a speculative angle to the discussion.
  • A later post provides a list of rules governing the deductive system, emphasizing the formal structure that supports the proof.
  • Another participant corrects a notation error regarding the logical disjunction in the proof, highlighting the importance of precise language in mathematical discourse.
  • Ultimately, one participant claims to have resolved their confusion regarding the proof, stating that certain lines were unnecessary for understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the proof, with some agreeing on the need for clarity and context, while others raise questions about specific steps and rules. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the validity of the proof's transitions and the implications of proof by contradiction.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of clarity in the original text, the dependence on specific axioms that are not fully disclosed, and the unresolved nature of the proof's steps, particularly part 4.

Klungo
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I'm reading through a text's proof on proof by contradiction. But it makes inexplicable jumps and doesn't appear to use some of the things brought up.

Here's the theorem and proof in the text (shortened with comment).

[tex]\mbox{Theorem: If } \Sigma \cup \{\lnot P\} \vdash \{Q\} \mbox{ and }\Sigma \cup \{\lnot P\} \vdash \{\lnot Q\} \mbox{ then } \Sigma \vdash \{P\}.[/tex]

[tex]\mbox{Proof: }\Sigma \vdash \{P \lor \lnot P\} \mbox{ ,(1) [I understand this result]. }[/tex]
[tex]\Sigma \cup \{P\} \vdash \{P\} \mbox{,(2) [By Axiom]. }[/tex]
[tex]\Sigma \vdash \{\lnot P,P\} \mbox{ ,(3) [I understand this result]. }[/tex]

[tex]\mbox{Since }\Sigma \cup \{\lnot P\} \vdash \{Q\} \mbox{ and }\Sigma \cup \{\lnot P\} \vdash \{\lnot Q\} \mbox{ ,then }\Sigma \cup \{\lnot P\} \vdash \{P\}\mbox{ ,(4) [?]. }[/tex]

[tex]\Sigma \cup \{P \lor \lnot P\} \vdash \{P\} \mbox{ ,(5) [Follows from (4)]. }[/tex]
[tex]\Sigma \vdash \{P\} \mbox{ ,(6) [Follows from (5)]. }[/tex]

It doesn't get much clearer than this in the text. There should be no errors.
 
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There are some widely recognized conventions in logic but nobody is going to know what Axiom 2 says unless you at least reveal what book you are reading. (And even with that, getting an answer will depend on someone else having a copy of the book.)
 
These are deductions. The axiom is just the name given to say that a sentence P can be formally proved by sentence P itself.

I'll clarify rules later tonight.
 
Suppose that proof by contradiction was logically invalid...
 
Apologies for the late post. Something's come up.

Anyways, here are the "legal" rules of this particular deductive system:

[tex]\mbox{(1) If } P \in \Sigma \mbox{, then } \Sigma \vdash \{P\}[/tex]
[tex]\mbox{(2) If } \Sigma \cup \{P,Q\} \vdash \{R\} \mbox{, then } \Sigma \cup \{P \land Q\} \vdash \{R\}[/tex]
[tex]\mbox{(3) If } \Sigma \vdash \{P\} \mbox{ and } \Sigma \vdash \{Q\} \mbox{, then } \Sigma \vdash \{P \land Q \}[/tex]
[tex]\mbox{(4) If } \Sigma \cup \{P\} \vdash \{R\} \mbox{ and } \Sigma \cup \{Q\} \vdash \{R\} \mbox{, then } \Sigma \cup \{P \lor Q\} \vdash \{R\}[/tex]
[tex]\mbox{(5) If } \Sigma \vdash \{P\} \mbox { or } \Sigma \vdash \{Q\} \mbox{, then } \Sigma \vdash \{P \lor Q\}[/tex]
[tex]\mbox{(6) If } \Sigma \vdash \{P\} \mbox{ and } \Sigma \vdash \{P \rightarrow Q\} \mbox{, then } \Sigma \vdash \{Q\}[/tex]
[tex]\mbox{(7) If } \Sigma \cup \{P\} \vdash \{Q\} \mbox{, then } \Sigma \vdash \{P \rightarrow Q\}[/tex]
[tex]\mbox{(8) If } \Sigma \vdash \{P \lor Q\} \mbox{, then } \Sigma \cup \{\lnot P\} \vdash \{Q\}[/tex]
[tex]\mbox{(9) If } \Sigma \cup \{P\} \vdash \{Q\} \mbox{, then } \Sigma \vdash \{\lnot P \lor Q\}[/tex]

Double checked to make sure no errors were present. (1) is the "axiom deduction".

The only part of the proof I don't understand is how they obtained part 4.
I'll be working on this in the mean time.

@Number Nine, perhaps the title is a little misleading. I am trying to understand the proof of the 'proof by contradiction' method using the nine rules of deduction. Proving this by contradiction would result in a (cyclic proof?).
 
Klungo said:
[tex]\Sigma \vdash \{\lnot P,P\} \mbox{ (line 3)}[/tex]
It doesn't get much clearer than this in the text. There should be no errors.

[tex]\Sigma \vdash \{\lnot P \lor P\} \mbox{ ,(3) [I understand this result]. }[/tex]

I would like to clarify that its a [tex]\lor[/tex] and not a comma (,)


Edit: I solved the problem. I understand the proof in detail now.

The proof does not need lines 1,2, and 3.
 
Last edited:

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