Will Martha Find a Car That Meets Her Demands?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter some_one
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a logical problem regarding the conditions under which Martha can find a car that meets her specific demands: it must be fast and cheap, painted in silver or convertible, but not both. Participants explore logical expressions and reasoning related to these conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines the conditions Martha has for her car and asks for logical arguments that would lead to the conclusion that she cannot find such a car.
  • Another participant proposes defining properties of the car using logical symbols and seeks to create a logical expression that represents the scenario where Martha successfully buys a car.
  • A third participant expresses doubt about the original poster's familiarity with formal logic, suggesting a potential gap in understanding.
  • Another participant questions if there is a simpler method to solve the problem, hinting at the possibility that the original poster may already know the answer.
  • A later reply claims to have identified the solution as option 1, arguing that it leads to a contradiction since it requires the car to be both silver and convertible, which is not allowed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing levels of confidence in their understanding of the logical problem. There is no consensus on the correct approach or solution, with some participants proposing different interpretations and methods.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the clarity of the logical expressions and the assumptions underlying the problem. Some participants may have varying levels of familiarity with formal logic, which could affect their contributions.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in logical reasoning, formal logic, or problem-solving in mathematical contexts may find this discussion relevant.

some_one
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martha wants to buy a fast and a chip car which answers to this term:
the car should be painted in silver or a convertible ,but not both.

which one of the following arguments will lead us to the conclusion
that martha will not find a car which fits by her demands?
1.a fast car which is not chip,unless its painted in silver and it a convertible
2.a fast car painted in silver,but its not a convertible
3.a chip car will never be painted in silver
4.a convertible car are not fast and they are not painted in silver
 
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So let's define some properties:
F: the car is fast
Ch: the car is cheap
S: the car is painted silver
Co: the car is convertible

Now can you make a logical expression which is true when she does buy the car? So I'm looking for something of the form: (F or Ch) and (F and ((not Co) or S).
Also try to express the answer possibilities this way (as an example, number 1 would become: (F \wedge \neg Ch) \vee (S \wedge Co)).

Once you have that, I will of course ask you if you can negate that expression.
 
I doubt the OP has experience with formal logic, let alone symbolic logic, CompuChip.
 
Is there an easier way to solve it, then?

By the way I just noticed this is posted in "general discussion > brain teasers" so maybe the question is for us to find the answer and the OP already has it.
 
i am having the final answer
bur i don't have the way its being solved
 
i think i got the way they solved it
its 1
because in that way the car will be silver and convertible
which is not possible
 

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