MMW HW04B
MMW HW04B
HOMEWORK 04-B
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use PDF format before uploading your answer in the assignment tab
• Hand-written answer will be accepted, take a picture then convert to pdf
Questions 1 (5 points)
Define an argument.
• A set of statements presented logically and coherently in order to prove the
correctness or validity of a mathematical proposition is known as an argument in
mathematics. Arguments are employed in mathematics in the modern era to create new
ideas, solve issues, and prove theorems.
A mathematician might start with the premise that the square root of two is
rational and then use logical reasoning and algebraic manipulation to arrive at a
contradiction as an example of how to demonstrate the irrationality of the square root of
two. This inconsistency would thus show that the presumption at the beginning was
incorrect, proving that the square root of two is illogical.
An argument that is not valid. We can test for invalidity by assuming that all the
premises are true and seeing whether it is still possible for the conclusion to be false. If
this is possible, the argument is invalid.
1. Write the argument in symbolic form and identify the premises and conclusion.
2. Construct a truth table showing the truth values of all the premises and the conclusion.
3. A row of the truth table in which all the premises are true is called a critical row. If there
is a critical row in which the conclusion is false, the argument is invalid. If the
conclusion in every critical row is true, then the argument is valid.
Example:
Premise 1: P V Q
Premise 2: ~ P
Conclusion: Q
The truth table shows that conclusion Q is always true when premises are true. Thus, this
argument is valid
Premise 1: P ∧ Q
Premise 2: P V R
Conclusion: Q ∧ R
The truth table shows that the conclusion Q AND R is not always true when the premises are true.
For example, when P is false and Q is true, the conclusion is false. Thus, this argument is invalid.
We can better understand the logical structure of the argument and judge its validity by
utilizing Euler's diagrams to visually show the links between sets or categories concerned. In
addition, Euler's diagrams are helpful for spotting logical errors or other defects in arguments,
such as when the diagram misrepresents the connections between the sets or the argument is
founded on a fallacious premise.