CHAPTER 2: MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE AND SYMBOLS

LOGIC

- Logic is the study of the principles of correct reasoning. It helps us to differentiate correct
reasoning from poor reasoning. Logic allows us to determine the validity of arguments in and
out of mathematics. It illustrates the importance of precision and conciseness of the language
of mathematics.

MATHEMATICAL LOGIC

- Mathematical logic is a branch of mathematics with close connections to computers. It includes

both the mathematical study of logic and the applications of formal logic to other areas of
mathematics.
- No conjecture(conclusion based in inductive reasoning) in mathematics is considered fact until
it has been logically proven and truly valid mathematical analysis is done only within the rigors
of logic.

PROPOSITION/STATEMENT

- A statement or proposition is a declarative sentence that is true or false but not both.
Propositional Variables such as p, q, r, s, t, etc. are used to represent propositions.
- Remark: If a proposition is true, then we say its truth value is false.

Determine which of the following statements are propositions and which are not.

NOTE: IF THE SENTENCE GIVES COMMAND OR REQUEST AND IN INTERROGATIVE FORM ARE NOT
PROPOSITION.

1. San Fernando City is the capital of La Union. (proposition)

2. Cielo is beautiful and sexy. (not proposition)
3. Where are you going? (not proposition)
4. Please give me some water. (not proposition)
5. Mathematics is fun.
6. Mt. Apo is the tallest mountain in the Philippines. (proposition)
7. 1+1=2 (proposition)
8. x > 5 if x=3 ( proposition)

LOGICAL CONNECTIVES

- Mathematical statements may be joined by logical connectives which are used to combine
simple propositions to form compound statements. These connectives are conjunction,
disjunction, implication, biconditional, and negation.
1. CONJUNCTION
- The conjunction of the propositions p and q is the compound statement “p and q” denoted as
p^q which is true only when both p and q are true, otherwise it is false.
ESGUERRA, DELVIN NICOLE C. BSABE 1-A (STEM)
 NOTE: IF p AND/OR q IS/ARE FALSE THEN THE ENTIRE STATEMENT IS FALSE.
p q p^q
T T T
T F F
F T F
F F F
2. DISJUNCTION
- The disjunction of the propositions p and q is the compound statement “p or q” denoted as
p v q which is false only when both p and q are false, otherwise, it is true.
NOTE: IF p AND/OR q IS/ARE TRUE THEN THE ENTIRE STATEMENT IS TRUE.

p q pvq
T T T
T F T
F T T
F F F
3. NEGATION
- The negation of the statement p is denoted by ~p where ~ is the symbol for “not”. The truth
value of the negation is always the reverse of the truth value of the original statement.
NOTE: p IS THE OPPOSITE OF q.
~p ~q
T F
F T
4. IMPLICATION/CONDITIONAL
- The implication of the propositions p and q is the compound statement “if p then q.” denoted
as p q which is false only when both p is true and q is false.
NOTE: IF THE CONCLUSION IS TRUE THEN THE ENTIRE STATEMENT IS TRUE AND IF BOTH
STATEMENTS ARE FALSE IT IS ALSO TRUE.
p q p q
T T T
T F F
F T T
F F T
5. BICONDITIONAL/DOUBLE IMPLICATION
- The bi-conditional of the propositions p and q is the compound statement “p if and only if
q”. denoted as p q which is true only when both p and q have the same truth values.
NOTE: IF p AND q HAVE THE SAME LETTER THEN THE ENTIRE STATEMENT IS TRUE
OPPOSITE WHEN THEY HAVE DIFFERENT LETTERS THEN THE ENTIRE STATEMENT IS FALSE.
p q p q
T T T
T F F
F T F
F F T

ESGUERRA, DELVIN NICOLE C. BSABE 1-A (STEM)

TRUTH TABLE

- The truth value of propositions is presented in a truth table. A truth table displays the
relationships between the truth values of propositions. Truth tables are especially valuable in
the determination of the truth values of propositions constructed from simpler propositions.

Exercises:

Construct the truth table for each of the following statements.

1. ~p v ~q
2. (~p^q) v (p^~q)

Exercises:

Let p and q be the propositions “The election is decided” and “The votes have been counted”
respectively. Express each of these compound propositions as an English sentence.

1. ~p
2. q p
3. p q
4. pvq
5. ~q ~p

CONVERSE, INVERSE AND CONTRAPOSITIVE

- For every implication or conditional statement, you can construct its converse, inverse, and
contrapositive.
- Suppose we have the following statements for P and Q.
P: It Rains
Q: They can cancel school.
- The implication, converse, inverse, and contrapositive will be written in the following forms.

IMPLICATION: P Q

- If it rains, then they cancel school.

CONVERSE: Q P

- If they cancel school, then it rains.

INVERSE: ~P ~Q

- If it does not rain, then they do not cancel school.

ESGUERRA, DELVIN NICOLE C. BSABE 1-A (STEM)

CONTRAPOSITIVE: ~Q ~P

- If they do not cancel school, then it does not rain.

Exercises:

State the converse, inverse and contrapositive of the following propositions.

1. If you will review your lessons, then you will pass MMW.
2. Faye will attend the party only if Joyce will accompany her.
3. The boat will sink if it is overloaded.

ESGUERRA, DELVIN NICOLE C. BSABE 1-A (STEM)