Chapter 1.

6, Problem 13E

Problem

For each of these arguments, explain which rules of inference arc used for each step.

a) “Doug, a student in this class, knows how to write programs in JAVA. Everyone who knows
how to write programs in JAVA can get a high-paying job. Therefore, someone in this class can
get a high-paying job.”

b) “Somebody in this class enjoys whale watching. Every person who enjoys whale watching
cares about ocean pollution. Therefore, there is a person in this class who cares about ocean
pollution.”

c) “Each of the 93 students in this class owns a personal computer. Everyone who owns a
personal computer can use a word processing program. Therefore, Zeke, a student in this class,
can use a word processing program.”

d) “Everyone in New Jersey lives within 50 miles of the ocean. Someone in New Jersey has
never seen the ocean. Therefore, someone who lives within 50 miles of the ocean has never
seen the ocean.”

Step-by-step solution

Step 1 of 13
The objective is to explain which rules of inference are used to obtain the conclusions.

(a)

Let knows JAVA, is in the class, can get a high paying job,
Doug.

Then the premises are and the conclusion is

The following steps can be used to establish the conclusion from the premises.

Step Reason

1. Premise

2. Premise

3. Premise

Step 2 of 13
Use the rule of inference universal instantiation for

4. Universal Instantiation

Apply Modus ponens using steps 2 and 4.

5. Modus ponens from 2 and 4

Apply conjunction using steps 1 and 5 and then apply existential generalization to the final step to
get the conclusion.

6. Conjunction from 1 and 5

7. Existential generalization of 6

Therefore, the conclusion is there is someone in the class who can get a high paying job .

Step 3 of 13
(b)

Let cares about ocean pollution, is in the class, enjoys whale

Then the premises are and the conclusion is

The following steps can be used to establish the conclusion from the premises.

Step Reason

1. Premise

2. Premise

Step 4 of 13
Use the rule of inference existential instantiation for

3. existential Instantiation

Apply simplification of 3.

4. Simplification of 3

Use the rule of inference universal instantiation for

5. Universal Instantiation of 2

Step 5 of 13

Apply Modus ponens using steps 4 and 5.

6. Modus ponens from 4 and 5

Apply simplification of 3.

7. Simplification of 3
 Step 6 of 13

Apply conjunction using steps 6 and 7 and then apply existential generalization to the final step to
get the conclusion.

8. Conjunction from 6 and 7

9. Existential generalization of 8

Therefore, the conclusion is there is a person in this class who cares about ocean pollution.

Step 7 of 13
(c)

Let is in the class, owns a personal computer, can use a word

Then the premises are and the conclusion is

The following steps can be used to establish the conclusion from the premises.

Step Reason

1. Premise

2. Premise

3. Premise

Step 8 of 13
Use the rule of inference universal instantiation for

4. Universal Instantiation on 1

Apply Modus ponens using steps 3 and 4.

5. Modus ponens from 3 and 4

Step 9 of 13

Use the rule of inference universal instantiation for

6. Universal Instantiation on 2

Apply Modus ponens using steps 5 and 6.

5. Modus ponens from 5 and 6

Therefore, the conclusion is Zeke is a student in this class, can use a word processing
program.

Step 10 of 13
(d)

Let lives in NJ, lives within 50 miles of the ocean, has seen the
Ocean.

Then the premises are and the conclusion is

The following steps can be used to establish the conclusion from the premises.

Step Reason

1. Premise

2. Premise

Step 11 of 13
Use the rule of inference existential instantiation for

3. Existential Instantiation on 2

Apply simplification on step 3.

4. Simplification on 3

Step 12 of 13

Use the rule of inference universal instantiation for

5. Universal Instantiation on 1

Apply Modus ponens using steps 4 and 5.

6. Modus ponens from 4 and 5

Step 13 of 13
Apply simplification on step 3.

7. Simplification on 3

Apply conjunction using steps 6 and 7 and then apply existential generalization to the final step to
get the conclusion.

8. Conjunction from 6 and 7

9. Existential generalization of 8

Therefore, the conclusion is someone who lives within 50 miles of the ocean has never seen
the ocean.