Show that Pv(Qv~P) is always true whatever the values of p and q

  • Thread starter Thread starter lionely
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around proving that the expression Pv(Qv~P) is always true regardless of the truth values of p and q. Participants analyze the expression and attempt to simplify it, noting that the logical disjunction operator is associative. The simplification leads to the realization that Pv(Qv~P) can be expressed as T v Q, where T represents a true statement. It is emphasized that since T v anything is always true, the original expression holds true for all values of p and q. The conclusion is that Pv(Qv~P) is indeed always true.
lionely
Messages
574
Reaction score
2

Homework Statement


Show that Pv(Qv~P) is always true whatever the values of p and q.


Attempt

Pv(Qv~P)
(PvQ) v (Pv~P)
(PvQ) v T
 
Physics news on Phys.org


lionely said:

Homework Statement


Show that Pv(Qv~P) is always true whatever the values of p and q.


Attempt

Pv(Qv~P)
(PvQ) v (Pv~P)
The step above is incorrect. The logical disjunction operator (V) is associative, with P V (Q V R) <==> (P V Q) V R
lionely said:
(PvQ) v T
 


So.. it should it be P V (Q V ~P) = (~P V P) V Q?
 


So is it T V Q?
 


lionely said:
So.. it should it be P V (Q V ~P) = (~P V P) V Q?
Yes. Can you give reasons for each step? (There are a couple.)

lionely said:
So is it T V Q?
That's not the final, simplified expression. What does that simplify to?
 


Oh Umm because (~P V P) = T

hence T V Q

I think there is an indentity for P = T.. so p V q?
 


lionely said:
Oh Umm because (~P V P) = T

hence T V Q
You're not done.

Show that Pv(Qv~P) is always true[/color] whatever the values of p and q.

The part in red should have been a clue as to what you should conclude.


T V <whatever> ⇔ T
lionely said:
I think there is an indentity for P = T.. so p V q?
 
Last edited by a moderator:


I don't see what's in red. I'm sorry :(
 


but isn't it P V Q = T ? Since it's "OR" it's either one or the other or both?
 
  • #10


lionely said:
I don't see what's in red. I'm sorry :(
I fixed the tag in Mark's post, so you can see now what he intended.

lionely said:
but isn't it P V Q = T ? Since it's "OR" it's either one or the other or both?
No, look at the truth table for ⋁. If both P and Q are false, then P⋁Q is false.
 
Back
Top