What is the Tautology in the Given Logical Equivalence?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the logical equivalence of the expression $\alpha$ and the implication $\alpha \rightarrow \sim \beta$. Participants concluded that none of the provided options—$\alpha$, $\beta$, $\alpha \wedge \beta$, $\beta \vee \sim\alpha$, or $\alpha \leftrightarrow \beta$—constitute a tautology. Specifically, option (3) is identified as a contradiction, always yielding false. The ambiguity surrounding the nature of $\alpha$—whether it is a truth value or a Boolean formula—complicates the determination of tautology.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of logical equivalence and implications in propositional logic.
  • Familiarity with truth tables and their application in logical analysis.
  • Knowledge of Boolean algebra and its fundamental operations.
  • Ability to differentiate between tautologies, contradictions, and contingent statements.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of logical equivalence in depth, focusing on implications and their properties.
  • Learn how to construct and analyze truth tables for complex logical expressions.
  • Explore Boolean algebra, specifically the laws governing tautologies and contradictions.
  • Investigate the nature of propositional variables and their roles in logical statements.
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Students of logic, mathematicians, computer scientists, and anyone interested in understanding the fundamentals of logical expressions and their classifications.

Lancelot1
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Hi guys

I can't figure this one out. I tried to use truth tables, but never found an equivalence , no matter which of the 5 options I tried.

It is given that $\alpha$ is logically equivalent to $\alpha \rightarrow \sim \beta $ .
Which of the following is a tautology ?

1) $\alpha$
2) $\beta$
3) $\alpha \wedge \beta $
4) $\beta \vee \sim\alpha $
5) $\alpha \leftrightarrow \beta $
 
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You are correct. None of these is a tautology.
((3) is a contradiction- it is always false.)
 
Lancelot said:
It is given that α\alpha is logically equivalent to $\alpha \rightarrow {\sim}\beta$.
I would say the problem with this exercise is that it is not clear what type of object $\alpha$ is. Is it a truth value? Then the question whether $\alpha$ is a tautology does not make sense. Is it a Boolean formula? Then it cannot be logically equivalent to $\alpha \rightarrow {\sim}\beta$. Indeed, if $\beta=1$, then $\alpha$ has to have the same value as ${\sim}\alpha$.
 

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