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Exercises

1. Which of these sentences are propositions? What are d) 4 + x = 5.

the truth values of those that are propositions? e) The moon is made of green cheese.
a) Boston is the capital of Massachusetts. f) 2n ≥ 100.
b) Miami is the capital of Florida. 3. What is the negation of each of these propositions?
c) 2 + 3 = 5. a) Mei has an MP3 player.
d) 5 + 7 = 10. b) There is no pollution in New Jersey.
e) x + 2 = 11. c) 2 + 1 = 3.
f) Answer this question. d) The summer in Maine is hot and sunny.
2. Which of these are propositions? What are the truth values 4. What is the negation of each of these propositions?
of those that are propositions? a) Jennifer and Teja are friends.
a) Do not pass go. b) There are 13 items in a baker’s dozen.
b) What time is it? c) Abby sent more than 100 text messages every day.
c) There are no black flies in Maine. d) 121 is a perfect square.
5. What is the negation of each of these propositions? 10. Let p and q be the propositions “The election is decided”
a) Steve has more than 100 GB free disk space on his and “The votes have been counted,” respectively. Express
laptop. each of these compound propositions as an English sen-
b) Zach blocks e-mails and texts from Jennifer. tence.
c) 7 · 11 · 13 = 999. a) ¬p b) p ∨ q
d) Diane rode her bicycle 100 miles on Sunday. c) ¬p ∧ q d) q → p
6. Suppose that Smartphone A has 256 MB RAM and 32 GB e) ¬q → ¬p f) ¬p → ¬q
ROM, and the resolution of its camera is 8 MP; Smart- g) p ↔ q h) ¬q ∨ (¬p ∧ q)
phone B has 288 MB RAM and 64 GB ROM, and the 11. Let p and q be the propositions
resolution of its camera is 4 MP; and Smartphone C has
128 MB RAM and 32 GB ROM, and the resolution of p : It is below freezing.
its camera is 5 MP. Determine the truth value of each q : It is snowing.
of these propositions. Write these propositions using p and q and logical con-
a) Smartphone B has the most RAM of these three smart- nectives (including negations).
phones. a) It is below freezing and snowing.
b) Smartphone C has more ROM or a higher resolution b) It is below freezing but not snowing.
camera than Smartphone B. c) It is not below freezing and it is not snowing.
c) Smartphone B has more RAM, more ROM, and a d) It is either snowing or below freezing (or both).
higher resolution camera than Smartphone A. e) If it is below freezing, it is also snowing.
d) If Smartphone B has more RAM and more ROM than f) Either it is below freezing or it is snowing, but it is
Smartphone C, then it also has a higher resolution not snowing if it is below freezing.
camera. g) That it is below freezing is necessary and sufficient
e) Smartphone A has more RAM than Smartphone B if for it to be snowing.
and only if Smartphone B has more RAM than Smart- 12. Let p, q, and r be the propositions
phone A. p : You have the flu.
7. Suppose that during the most recent fiscal year, the an- q : You miss the final examination.
nual revenue of Acme Computer was 138 billion r : You pass the course.
dollars and its net profit was 8 billion dollars, the Express each of these propositions as an English sen-
annual revenue of Nadir Software was 87 billion tence.
dollars and its net profit was 5 billion dollars, and the a) p → q b) ¬q ↔ r
annual revenue of Quixote Media was 111 billion c) q → ¬r d) p ∨ q ∨ r
dollars and its net profit was 13 billion dollars. e) (p → ¬r) ∨ (q → ¬r)
Determine the truth value of each of these propositions f) (p ∧ q) ∨ (¬q ∧ r)
for the most recent fiscal year.
13. Let p and q be the propositions
a) Quixote Media had the largest annual revenue.
p : You drive over 65 miles per hour.
b) Nadir Software had the lowest net profit and Acme
q : You get a speeding ticket.
Computer had the largest annual revenue.
c) Acme Computer had the largest net profit or Write these propositions using p and q and logical con-
Quixote Media had the largest net profit. nectives (including negations).
d) If Quixote Media had the smallest net profit, then a) You do not drive over 65 miles per hour.
Acme Computer had the largest annual revenue. b) You drive over 65 miles per hour, but you do not get
e) Nadir Software had the smallest net profit if and a speeding ticket.
only if Acme Computer had the largest annual c) You will get a speeding ticket if you drive over
revenue. 65 miles per hour.
8. Let p and q be the propositions d) If you do not drive over 65 miles per hour, then you
will not get a speeding ticket.
p : I bought a lottery ticket this week.
e) Driving over 65 miles per hour is sufficient for getting
q : I won the million dollar jackpot.
a speeding ticket.
Express each of these propositions as an English sen- f) You get a speeding ticket, but you do not drive over
tence. 65 miles per hour.
a) ¬p b) p ∨ q c) p → q g) Whenever you get a speeding ticket, you are driving
d) p ∧ q e) p ↔ q f) ¬p → ¬q over 65 miles per hour.
g) ¬p ∧ ¬q h) ¬p ∨ (p ∧ q)
14. Let p, q, and r be the propositions
9. Let p and q be the propositions “Swimming at the New
p : You get an A on the final exam.
Jersey shore is allowed” and “Sharks have been spotted
q : You do every exercise in this book.
near the shore,” respectively. Express each of these
com- pound propositions as an English sentence. r : You get an A in this class.
a) ¬q b) p ∧ q c) ¬p ∨ q Write these propositions using p, q, and r and
d) p → ¬q e) ¬q → p f) ¬p → ¬q logical connectives (including negations).
g) p ↔ ¬q h) ¬p ∧ (p ∨ ¬q)
 a) You get an A in this class, but you do not do every a) Coffee or tea comes with dinner.
exercise in this book.
b) A password must have at least three digits or be at
b) You get an A on the final, you do every exercise in this
least eight characters long.
book, and you get an A in this class.
c) The prerequisite for the course is a course in
c) To get an A in this class, it is necessary for you to get
number theory or a course in cryptography.
an A on the final.
d) You get an A on the final, but you don’t do every ex- d) You can pay using U.S. dollars or euros.
ercise in this book; nevertheless, you get an A in 20. For each of these sentences, determine whether an in-
this class. clusive or, or an exclusive or, is intended. Explain your
e) Getting an A on the final and doing every exercise in answer.
this book is sufficient for getting an A in this class. a) Experience with C++or Java is required.
f) You will get an A in this class if and only if you either b) Lunch includes soup or salad.
do every exercise in this book or you get an A on c) To enter the country you need a passport or a voter
the final. registration card.
15. Let p, q, and r be the propositions d) Publish or perish.
p : Grizzly bears have been seen in the area. 21. For each of these sentences, state what the sentence means
q : Hiking is safe on the trail. if the logical connective or is an inclusive or (that is, a dis-
r : Berries are ripe along the trail. junction) versus an exclusive or. Which of these
Write these propositions using p, q, and r and logical meanings of or do you think is intended?
connectives (including negations). a) To take discrete mathematics, you must have taken
a) Berries are ripe along the trail, but grizzly bears calculus or a course in computer science.
have not been seen in the area. b) When you buy a new car from Acme Motor Company,
b) Grizzly bears have not been seen in the area and you get $2000 back in cash or a 2% car loan.
hik- ing on the trail is safe, but berries are ripe along c) Dinner for two includes two items from column A or
the trail. three items from column B.
c) If berries are ripe along the trail, hiking is safe if d) School is closed if more than 2 feet of snow falls or
and only if grizzly bears have not been seen in the if the wind chill is below −100.
area. 22. Write each of these statements in the form “if p, then q”
d) It is not safe to hike on the trail, but grizzly bears have in English. [Hint: Refer to the list of common ways to ex-
not been seen in the area and the berries along the trail press conditional statements provided in this section.]
are ripe.
a) It is necessary to wash the boss’s car to get promoted.
e) For hiking on the trail to be safe, it is necessary but not
sufficient that berries not be ripe along the trail and b) Winds from the south imply a spring thaw.
for grizzly bears not to have been seen in the area. c) A sufficient condition for the warranty to be good is
f) Hiking is not safe on the trail whenever grizzly that you bought the computer less than a year ago.
bears have been seen in the area and berries are ripe d) Willy gets caught whenever he cheats.
along the trail. e) You can access the website only if you pay a subscrip-
16. Determine whether these biconditionals are true or tion fee.
false. f) Getting elected follows from knowing the right peo-
a) 2 + 2 = 4 if and only if 1 + 1 = 2. ple.
b) 1 + 1 = 2 if and only if 2 + 3 = 4. g) Carol gets seasick whenever she is on a boat.
c) 1 + 1 = 3 if and only if monkeys can fly. 23. Write each of these statements in the form “if p, then q”
d) 0 > 1 if and only if 2 > 1. in English. [Hint: Refer to the list of common ways to
17. Determine whether each of these conditional statements express conditional statements.]
is true or false. a) It snows whenever the wind blows from the northeast.
a) If 1 + 1 = 2, then 2 + 2 = 5. b) The apple trees will bloom if it stays warm for a week.
b) If 1 + 1 = 3, then 2 + 2 = 4. c) That the Pistons win the championship implies that
c) If 1 + 1 = 3, then 2 + 2 = 5. they beat the Lakers.
d) If monkeys can fly, then 1 + 1 = 3. d) It is necessary to walk 8 miles to get to the top of
18. Determine whether each of these conditional statements Long’s Peak.
is true or false. e) To get tenure as a professor, it is sufficient to be world-
a) If 1 + 1 = 3, then unicorns exist. famous.
b) If 1 + 1 = 3, then dogs can fly. f) If you drive more than 400 miles, you will need to buy
c) If 1 + 1 = 2, then dogs can fly. gasoline.
d) If 2 + 2 = 4, then 1 + 2 = 3. g) Your guarantee is good only if you bought your CD
19. For each of these sentences, determine whether an in- player less than 90 days ago.
clusive or, or an exclusive or, is intended. Explain your h) Jan will go swimming unless the water is too cold.
answer.
24. Write each of these statements in the form “if p, then c) q ∨ p ∨ ¬s ∨ ¬r ∨ ¬t ∨ u
q” in English. [Hint: Refer to the list of common ways to
d) (p ∧ r ∧ t) ↔ (q ∧ t)
ex- press conditional statements provided in this
section.] 30. How many rows appear in a truth table for each of
these compound propositions?
a) I will remember to send you the address only if you
a) (q → ¬p) ∨ (¬p → ¬q)
send me an e-mail message.
b) To be a citizen of this country, it is sufficient that b) (p ∨ ¬t) ∧ (p ∨ ¬s)
you were born in the United States. c) (p → r) ∨ (¬s → ¬t) ∨ (¬u → v)
c) If you keep your textbook, it will be a useful reference d) (p ∧ r ∧ s) ∨ (q ∧ t) ∨ (r ∧ ¬t)
in your future courses. 31. Construct a truth table for each of these compound propo-
d) The Red Wings will win the Stanley Cup if their goalie sitions.
plays well. a) p ∧ ¬p b) p ∨ ¬p
e) That you get the job implies that you had the best c) (p ∨ ¬q) → q d) (p ∨ q) → (p ∧ q)
credentials. e) (p → q) ↔ (¬q → ¬p)
f) The beach erodes whenever there is a storm. f) (p → q) → (q → p)
g) It is necessary to have a valid password to log on to 32. Construct a truth table for each of these compound propo-
the server. sitions.
h) You will reach the summit unless you begin your climb a) p → ¬p b) p ↔ ¬p
too late. c) p ⊕ (p ∨ q) d) (p ∧ q) → (p ∨ q)
25. Write each of these propositions in the form “p if and e) (q → ¬p) ↔ (p ↔ q)
only if q” in English. f) (p ↔ q) ⊕ (p ↔ ¬q)
a) If it is hot outside you buy an ice cream cone, and if 33. Construct a truth table for each of these compound propo-
you buy an ice cream cone it is hot outside. sitions.
b) For you to win the contest it is necessary and sufficient a) (p ∨ q) → (p ⊕ q) b) (p ⊕ q) → (p ∧ q)
that you have the only winning ticket. c) (p ∨ q) ⊕ (p ∧ q) d) (p ↔ q) ⊕ (¬p ↔ q)
c) You get promoted only if you have connections, and
e) (p ↔ q) ⊕ (¬p ↔ ¬r)
you have connections only if you get promoted.
f) (p ⊕ q) → (p ⊕ ¬q)
d) If you watch television your mind will decay, and
con- versely. 34. Construct a truth table for each of these compound propo-
e) The trains run late on exactly those days when I sitions.
take it. a) p ⊕ p b) p ⊕ ¬p
26. Write each of these propositions in the form “p if and c) p ⊕ ¬q d) ¬p ⊕ ¬q
only if q” in English. e) (p ⊕ q) ∨ (p ⊕ ¬q) f) (p ⊕ q) ∧ (p ⊕ ¬q)
a) For you to get an A in this course, it is necessary and 35. Construct a truth table for each of these compound propo-
sufficient that you learn how to solve discrete sitions.
mathe- matics problems. a) p → ¬q b) ¬p ↔ q
b) If you read the newspaper every day, you will be in- c) (p → q) ∨ (¬p → q) d) (p → q) ∧ (¬p → q)
formed, and conversely. e) (p ↔ q) ∨ (¬p ↔ q)
c) It rains if it is a weekend day, and it is a weekend f) (¬p ↔ ¬q) ↔ (p ↔ q)
day if it rains. 36. Construct a truth table for each of these compound propo-
d) You can see the wizard only if the wizard is not in, sitions.
and the wizard is not in only if you can see him. a) (p ∨ q) ∨ r b) (p ∨ q) ∧ r
27. State the converse, contrapositive, and inverse of each c) (p ∧ q) ∨ r d) (p ∧ q) ∧ r
of these conditional statements. e) (p ∨ q) ∧ ¬r f) (p ∧ q) ∨ ¬r
a) If it snows today, I will ski tomorrow. 37. Construct a truth table for each of these compound propo-
b) I come to class whenever there is going to be a quiz. sitions.
c) A positive integer is a prime only if it has no a) p → (¬q ∨ r)
divisors other than 1 and itself. b) ¬p → (q → r)
28. State the converse, contrapositive, and inverse of each c) (p → q) ∨ (¬p → r)
of these conditional statements. d) (p → q) ∧ (¬p → r)
a) If it snows tonight, then I will stay at home. e) (p ↔ q) ∨ (¬q ↔ r)
b) I go to the beach whenever it is a sunny summer f) (¬p ↔ ¬q) ↔ (q ↔ r)
day. 38. Construct a truth table for ((p → q) → r) → s.
c) When I stay up late, it is necessary that I sleep until 39. Construct a truth table for (p ↔ q) ↔ (r ↔ s)
noon.
29. How many rows appear in a truth table for each of
these compound propositions?
a) p → ¬p
b) (p ∨ ¬r) ∧ (q ∨ ¬s)