Solving Inference Exercise: ¬t∨w

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Quintessential
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Exercise
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a logical inference exercise involving premises and the conclusion ¬t∨w. Participants share their reasoning steps and seek clarification on their conclusions, exploring the validity of their approaches and the use of premises in logical proofs.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines their reasoning steps to derive ¬t∨w from the given premises, expressing uncertainty about their conclusion.
  • Another participant suggests that the conclusion reached in step 12 is indeed the intended conclusion of the exercise.
  • A participant shares their confusion regarding a different exercise, where they arrive at q∨t instead of the expected t, and questions the reuse of premises after proving a contradiction.
  • Responses indicate that premises can be reused as needed, contrary to the initial belief of one participant.
  • One participant reiterates their steps for the original exercise, indicating a belief that their proof is incorrect and suggesting that an additional step is necessary.
  • Another participant advises that uncommon laws used in proofs should be clearly explained to avoid confusion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correctness of the initial proof steps and whether the conclusion reached is valid. There is also a discussion about the reuse of premises, with some participants clarifying that they can be reused, while others initially believed otherwise. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the correctness of the proof and the necessity of additional steps.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention specific logical laws, such as Resolution and Disjunctive Syllogism, without fully explaining their application, which may lead to misunderstandings about their use in proofs.

Quintessential
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Given the following premises: {¬p→r∧¬s, t→s, u→¬p, ¬w, u∨w}
The conclusion is said to be: ¬t∨w
Here are my steps. My conclusion is different from the supposed one, therefore I would appreciate it if any of you can point out my error.

Thank You.

1
¬p→(r∧¬s)
Premise

2
p∨(r∧¬s)
Implication law: 1

3
(p∨r)∧(p∨¬s)
Distributivity: 2

4
(p∨¬s)
Simplification: 3

5
t→s
Premise

6
¬t∨s
Implication law: 5

7
p∨¬t
Resolution: 4 & 6

8
u→¬p
Premise

9
¬u∨¬p
Implication law: 8

10
¬t∨¬u
Resolution: 7 &9

11
u∨w
Premise

12
¬t∨w
Resolution: 10 & 11

13
¬w
Premise

14
¬t
Disjunctive Syllogism: 12 & 13 AND Conclusion
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hey Quintessential!

Isn't step 12 the conclusion that you're supposed to reach (and prove)?
I think you are done at step 12.
You can always find more conclusions if you want to, but I presume that is not what the problem statement asks.
 
Makes sense, thanks!
I was confused because for some of the exercises, I couldn't reach the right conclusion.

For example, the following's conclusion should be t, Given: {p∨q, q→r, p∧s→t, ¬r, ¬q→u∧s}

Yet I find q∨t.
That said. If you prove a contradiction between two premises, and thus dismiss it with either Resolution or Disjunctive Syllogism, is that premise void of future use? In other words, can I reuse previously used premises when stuck?1
p∨q
Premise

2
q→r
Premise

3
¬q∨r
Implication law: 2

4
p∨r
Resolution: 1 & 3

5
p∧s→t
Premise

6
¬p∨(¬s∨t)
Implication law and Associativity: 5

7
r∨(¬s∨t)
Resolution: 4 & 6

8
¬r
Premise

9
¬s∨t
Disjunctive Syllogism: 7 & 8

10
¬q→(u∧s)
Premise

11
q∨(u∧s)
Implication law: 10

12
(q∨u)∧(q∨s)
Distributivity: 11

13
q∨s
Simplification: 12

14
q∨t
Resolution: 9 & 13
 
Quintessential said:
Makes sense, thanks!
I was confused because for some of the exercises, I couldn't reach the right conclusion.

For example, the following's conclusion should be t, Given: {p∨q, q→r, p∧s→t, ¬r, ¬q→u∧s}

Yet I find q∨t.

Perhaps you can combine 3 and 8 to find ¬q?
That said. If you prove a contradiction between two premises, and thus dismiss it with either Resolution or Disjunctive Syllogism, is that premise void of future use? In other words, can I reuse previously used premises when stuck?

Err... you can use any premisse or previous step as often as you like.
 
I like Serena said:
Err... you can use any premisse or previous step as often as you like.

And here I thought, that was a big no no.
Thanks again!
 
Quintessential said:
Given the following premises: {¬p→r∧¬s, t→s, u→¬p, ¬w, u∨w}
The conclusion is said to be: ¬t∨w
Here are my steps. My conclusion is different from the supposed one, therefore I would appreciate it if any of you can point out my error.

Thank You.

1
¬p→(r∧¬s)
Premise

2
p∨(r∧¬s)
Implication law: 1

3
(p∨r)∧(p∨¬s)
Distributivity: 2

4
(p∨¬s)
Simplification: 3

5
t→s
Premise

6
¬t∨s
Implication law: 5

7
p∨¬t
Resolution: 4 & 6

8
u→¬p
Premise

9
¬u∨¬p
Implication law: 8

10
¬t∨¬u
Resolution: 7 &9

11
u∨w
Premise

12
¬t∨w
Resolution: 10 & 11

13
¬w
Premise

14
¬t
Disjunctive Syllogism: 12 & 13 AND Conclusion

Your proof is icorrect you need one more step to complete it

And another thing.

If you mention in your proof a law that is not commonly used( like the law resolution in your proof) you have to state clearly how that law works
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K