Math Problem Statement

~p →(p→q)

Solution

The expression you've provided, ~p → (p → q), is a logical implication involving propositions pp, qq, and a negation of pp, written as p\sim p (read as "not p"). Let’s break down and simplify this logical expression step by step:

Step-by-Step Analysis:

  1. Expression: p(pq)\sim p \rightarrow (p \rightarrow q)

    • p\sim p: This means "not pp", so the truth value of pp is false.
    • pqp \rightarrow q: This is a conditional statement that means "if pp, then qq".
  2. Truth Table Construction: To fully understand this expression, we need to construct a truth table for all possible truth values of pp and qq.

ppqqp\sim ppqp \rightarrow qp(pq)\sim p \rightarrow (p \rightarrow q)
TTFTT
TFFFT
FTTTT
FFTTT

Interpretation:

  • Case 1: p=Tp = T, q=Tq = T:

    • p=F\sim p = F, and pq=Tp \rightarrow q = T.
    • So, p(pq)=T\sim p \rightarrow (p \rightarrow q) = T, because FT=TF \rightarrow T = T.
  • Case 2: p=Tp = T, q=Fq = F:

    • p=F\sim p = F, and pq=Fp \rightarrow q = F.
    • So, p(pq)=T\sim p \rightarrow (p \rightarrow q) = T, because FF=TF \rightarrow F = T.
  • Case 3: p=Fp = F, q=Tq = T:

    • p=T\sim p = T, and pq=Tp \rightarrow q = T.
    • So, p(pq)=T\sim p \rightarrow (p \rightarrow q) = T, because TT=TT \rightarrow T = T.
  • Case 4: p=Fp = F, q=Fq = F:

    • p=T\sim p = T, and pq=Tp \rightarrow q = T.
    • So, p(pq)=T\sim p \rightarrow (p \rightarrow q) = T, because TT=TT \rightarrow T = T.

Conclusion:

The statement p(pq)\sim p \rightarrow (p \rightarrow q) is always true, which means this is a tautology. No matter the truth values of pp and qq, the whole expression will evaluate to true.


Would you like more details on how the tautology is derived or how conditionals work? Here are some related questions:

  1. What is the definition of a tautology in propositional logic?
  2. How do truth tables help verify logical statements?
  3. Can you explain the properties of the conditional (→) operator in more depth?
  4. How does the negation (\sim) of a proposition affect logical expressions?
  5. What are other examples of tautologies in propositional logic?

Tip: A conditional statement is false only when the antecedent is true and the consequent is false.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Propositional Logic
Implication
Negation
Tautology

Formulas

Truth table for implication: p → q
Negation: ~p
Tautology verification using truth tables

Theorems

Tautology in Propositional Logic

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12