Symbolic logic, with truth table definition

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The discussion revolves around the relationship between truth tables and sentences in symbolic logic, specifically in the context of SD and SD+ logic derivations. The original poster questions whether every truth table corresponds to a sentence, expressing uncertainty about their understanding of the topic. They explore the limitations of truth tables created with four main connectives and the negation modifier, realizing that not all combinations can yield a corresponding sentence. Suggestions from other participants include generating all possible truth tables and considering more complex sentences to clarify the relationship. The poster seeks further insight on how to generalize their findings to encompass all sentences in symbolic logic.
DyslexicHobo
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I don't really know if this is an acceptable topic to be placing in a "Sciences" homework help forum. It's a problem I'm having in my Symbolic Logic class.


Homework Statement


Every sentence has a truth-table which can describe it, does every truth table have a sentence?

We're dealing with the SD and SD+ logic derivations.

Homework Equations


N/A


The Attempt at a Solution



It's an extra credit question, and isn't really based in any particular chapter, so I'm having trouble on where to look for the answer. My gut says yes, but I'm led to believe otherwise. For any two variables, by using the four main connectives with or without the negation modifier:


Code:
[U]A | B | A&B | AvB | A>B | A=B |[/U]
T | T |  T  |  T  |  T  |  T  |
T | F |  F  |  T  |  F  |  F  |
F | T |  F  |  T  |  T  |  F  |
F | F |  F  |  F  |  T  |  F  |

So with those 4 main connectives, each row has one possible outcome. Using those four connectives, each possible combonation for a row (TTTT, TTTF, TTFT, TFTT, ..., TFFF, FFFF) CANNOT be achieved (see FFFT, for example), even by using the negation modifier (~). Does this mean I have proved that every truth table does not have a sentence to go along with it?

But I have no clue what I'm doing, and I think I'm looking at this the wrong way. Any insight?

Thanks.
 
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I would say you should write all 16 tables and try to find a sentence for each. And you may try more complicated sentences like A&(Av~B) - not that this one is of any use, just an example.
 
AHA! I think I understand what I forgot when first trying to intuitively think about it.

The negation modifier can be moved around inside, while I was just thinking I could put it in front of the whole sentence. For example, to come up with the full 16 truth tables, I could have ~(A>B), A>~B, etc. This could form the full 16 truth tables. But I can't really know how to tell if I've PROVED anything. I can't figure out how to extrapolate this to include ALL sentences, rather than just the basic atomic sentences with the main 4 connectives +/- negation modifier.


Also, just in case it was confusing, the '>' is supposed to be a horseshoe (ex. P>Q = If P then Q).

Edit: Thanks Borek for your help. I got so excited that I thought I found something that I forgot to thank you. :D

So now I just need to figure out how to extrapolate my conclusions to include all sentences of SD.
 
Last edited:

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