Math Problem Statement

Logical equivalence problems involving the formulas provided in the image.

Solution

The image shows four logical equivalence problems, where each one includes a logical formula and a corresponding equivalence to be evaluated. Let's go through each case:

(a) p(p(pq))pp \vee (p \land (p \vee q)) \equiv p We need to simplify the left-hand side of the equation and see if it is equivalent to pp.

  1. By distribution: p(pq)pp \land (p \vee q) \equiv p This is because p(pq)p \land (p \vee q) will always result in pp.

  2. Now the expression becomes: pppp \vee p \equiv p which is a tautology, as ppp \vee p simplifies to pp. Hence, (a) is true.

(b) (pq)rqqr\overline{(p \vee q) \land r} \vee \overline{q} \equiv q \land r This is a bit more complex and involves De Morgan's laws and distribution:

  1. Apply De Morgan’s Law to the negations: (pq)r(pq)r\overline{(p \vee q) \land r} \equiv \overline{(p \vee q)} \vee \overline{r} So we have: (pq)rq(\overline{p} \land \overline{q}) \vee \overline{r} \vee \overline{q}

  2. Combine the terms: (pr)(qr)(\overline{p} \vee \overline{r}) \land (\overline{q} \vee \overline{r}) Without further simplification, this doesn't directly simplify to qrq \land r, so (b) might be false. Further detailed steps could be done to prove this rigorously.

(c) pq(pqr)pqrp \vee q \vee (\overline{p} \land \overline{q} \land r) \equiv p \vee q \vee r Let's analyze this:

  1. The expression pqr\overline{p} \land \overline{q} \land r adds rr only when both pp and qq are false.

  2. So the left-hand side is adding rr to the disjunction only if both pp and qq are false. However, since the entire expression is pqrp \vee q \vee r, the condition pqp \vee q already makes the final result pqrp \vee q \vee r, regardless of whether both pp and qq are false. Therefore, the two sides are equivalent. Hence, (c) is true.

(d) (pq(pqr))pq(\overline{p \vee q} \Rightarrow (p \land q \land r)) \equiv p \land q First, simplify the implication pq(pqr)\overline{p \vee q} \Rightarrow (p \land q \land r):

  1. The negation pq\overline{p \vee q} simplifies to pq\overline{p} \land \overline{q}.

  2. The implication (pq)(pqr)(\overline{p} \land \overline{q}) \Rightarrow (p \land q \land r) means that if both pp and qq are false, then the right side should hold true. However, pqrp \land q \land r cannot be true if pp and qq are both false. So, the implication will always be true.

Now compare this to pqp \land q, which is only true if both pp and qq are true. Therefore, (d) might be false since the conditions on the left side don't directly match pqp \land q.


Would you like to dive deeper into any specific step or need further clarification? Let me know if you'd like details on particular logical laws!


Here are 5 related questions for further practice:

  1. How can De Morgan's laws be applied to simplify logical expressions?
  2. Can you explain how the distributive property works in propositional logic?
  3. What are the key differences between conjunctions and disjunctions in logic?
  4. How does implication behave when the premise is false?
  5. What is a tautology in propositional logic?

Tip: Always start by simplifying the innermost parentheses in a logical expression to make the overall simplification easier.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Propositional Logic
Logical Equivalence
Boolean Algebra

Formulas

p ∨ (p ∧ (p ∨ q)) ≡ p
¬((p ∨ q) ∧ r) ∨ ¬q ≡ q ∧ r
p ∨ q ∨ (¬p ∧ ¬q ∧ r) ≡ p ∨ q ∨ r
(¬(p ∨ q) ⇒ (p ∧ q ∧ r)) ≡ p ∧ q

Theorems

Distributive Law
De Morgan's Law
Tautology
Implication and Negation

Suitable Grade Level

University Level (Discrete Mathematics or Logic)