Mathematical Proofs: A Complex Scenario
Bolster your concepts of mathematical proofs by working on a complicated scenario.
We'll cover the following
Sarmad’s pet
Let’s take a more complex scenario as follows:
Scenario
Sarmad has a pet, or he has a motorcycle. If he has a motorcycle, then he is tired. If Sarmad does not have a motorcycle, (then) he uses a taxi. If Sarmad is not tired, then he is in the kitchen.
If Sarmad has a pet, then the pet is in the kitchen. If Sarmad and his pet are in the kitchen, (then) he offers tuna to his pet. If Sarmad offers tuna to his pet, (then) his pet is a cat. If Sarmad does not have a pet, then he is lonely.
Given that:
Sarmad is not lonely, or he is not using a taxi.
And Sarmad is not tired.
Can we conclude from this information that, Sarmad’s pet is a cat, and the pet is in the kitchen, and Sarmad offers tuna to his pet?
Formalization
Let’s represent different propositions in the given scenario as follows:
- : Sarmad has a pet.
- : Sarmad’s pet is a cat.
- : Sarmad has a motorcycle.
- : Sarmad is tired.
- : Sarmad uses a taxi.
- : Sarmad is in the kitchen.
- : The pet is in the kitchen.
- : Sarmad offers tuna to his pet.
- : Sarmad is lonely.
Hypotheses
Conclusion
- Sarmad’s pet is a cat, and the pet is in the kitchen, and Sarmad offers tuna to his pet.
We first apply the conjunction rule on and to conclude .
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If we apply destructive dilemma using and , we can conclude; Which is equivalent to,
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Using modus ponens, we can conclude from and
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Using modus tollens, we can conclude from and
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Applying disjunctive syllogism on and , we conclude .
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Using modus ponens, we can conclude from and
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We can use the conjunction rule on and to get the following conclusion.
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Using modus ponens, we can conclude from and
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Now, we get from and using modus ponens.
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We can use conjunction on and and then take the conjunction with to reach the following conclusion: