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6 views3 pages

Document (46)

Uploaded by

SANGEETHA San
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Truth tables are a fundamental tool in propositional logic, playing a crucial role in evaluating

arguments and determining their validity.

Significance of Truth Tables:

1. Evaluate arguments: Truth tables help determine whether an argument is valid or invalid.

2. Analyze logical statements: Break down complex statements into simpler components.

3. Check consistency: Identify contradictions or inconsistencies in statements.

4. Visual representation: Provide a clear, visual representation of logical relationships.

Truth Tables:

A truth table is a table that lists all possible combinations of truth values for the propositional
variables (p, q, r, etc.) in an argument. The table then evaluates the truth value of the conclusion
based on these combinations.

Example 1: Simple Argument

Argument: If it rains, the streets will be wet.

P: It rains.

Q: The streets will be wet.

Truth Table:

p → q (If p, then q)

P Q
P
→
q
|T |T |T|

|T|F|F|

|F|T|T|

|F|F|T|
Validity: The argument is valid because the conclusion (q) follows logically from the premise (p).

Example 2: Modus Ponens

Argument: If it rains, the streets will be wet. It rains. Therefore, the streets will be wet.

P: It rains.

Q: The streets will be wet.

Truth Table:

(p → q)

∴q

P Q
P P q
→ ∧
q (p
→
q)
|T|T|T|T|T|

|T|F|F|F|F|

|F|T|T|F|T|

|F|F|T|F|F|

Validity:The argument is valid because the conclusion (q) follows logically from the premises (p and p
→ q).

Example 3: Invalid Argument

Argument: If it rains, the streets will be wet. The streets are not wet. Therefore, it did not rain.

P: It rains.

Q: The streets will be wet.


Truth Table:

p→q

¬q

∴ ¬p

P Q
P ¬q ¬p
→
q
|T|T|T|F|F|

|T|F|F|T|F|

|F|T|T|F|T|

|F|F|T|T|T|

Validity: The argument is invalid because the conclusion (¬p) does not follow logically from the
premises (p → q and ¬q).

Common Logical Operators:

1. ¬ (Not)

2. ∧ (And)

3. ∨ (Or)

4. → (If-Then)

5. (If and only if)

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