SLG-GenMath-Q2W7
SLG-GenMath-Q2W7
Lesson 7: Propositions
Heads up Learners! Mathematical logic or the symbolic logic, deals mainly with arguments, and these
arguments are made up of propositions. To determine if an argument is correct or incorrect, one needs
to master first the components. In this module, we will study the
different types of propositions.
In logic, it is important to distinguish a mere sentence from a proposition or statement.
Some linguists and English teachers consider declarative sentences and propositions to be
the same. It is important to distinguish the differences between the two.
Proposition and sentence are two separate entities indicating their specific definitions and purposes. A
sentence is a grammatical entity which is always a part of the systems integrated with language and
communication that expresses a complete thought. While a proposition is a logical entity. Another difference is that a
sentence may be uttered in different contexts to assert different propositions. For example, “he weighs 50 kilograms” may
be uttered by different persons to make different assertions. Therefore, propositions can only be true or false but cannot be
both true and false at the same time.
Remember that all propositions are sentences but not all sentences are propositions.
Which of the sentences are either true or false (but not both)
1. Two is the only prime number that is even.
2. Square is a rectangle.
3. 1+1=3
4. My seatmate will get a perfect score in the Logic exam.
Answer:
1. True, there is no other even number that is prime.
2. True, all angles measure 90 degrees and opposite sides are equal.
3. False, 1+ 1 = 2.
4. It can be true or false but not both since the truth will only be known after the Logic exam.
A proposition is a declarative sentence which is either true or false, but not both. The sentences above are all
propositions. Notice that each sentence is either true or false. Statements 1 and 2 are true propositions, statement 3 is a false
proposition, while statement 4 is either true or false.
A true proposition has a truth value of “true”, otherwise, its truth value is “false”.
Oftentimes, a small letter is used to denote a proposition. That is, the proposition
a: It is getting clearer.
may be read as “a is the proposition, it is getting clearer.”
Moreover, a sequence of propositions may be denoted by p, q or r.
Here are examples of propositions.
p: 2 is an even number.
q: 9 is a perfect square number.
r: Integers are subset of rational numbers.
Example 1:
Determine if each statement is a proposition or not.
a: 𝑥 + 2 = 2𝑥 when x = 2.
b: Jose Rizal is our National hero.
1
…Bringing our school closer to your home…
c: Happy Birthday!
d: Circle is a polygon.
e: Go to your room.
f: What time is it?
Solution:
a: It is proposition, since it is a declarative sentence.
b: It is a proposition, since it is a declarative sentence.
c: It is not a proposition since it is an exclamatory sentence.
d: It is proposition, since it is a declarative sentence.
e: It is a not proposition, since it is an imperative sentence.
f: It is not a proposition, since it is an interrogative sentence.
Many propositions are composite that is composed of sub-propositions and various logical operators. These
composite propositions are called compound propositions. A proposition is said to be primitive if it cannot be broken
down into simpler propositions.
Compound propositions are constructed using logical connectors, conjunctions and transitional words. These are
“and”, “or”, and “not”. Given the propositions p and/or q, some logical connectors may be expressed in terms of the
following:
not p
p and q
p or q
If p, then q
Example 2:
Identify the simple components of the following compound propositions and the corresponding symbols using the
logical connectors used.
p1: If an individual is great, then there is a teacher behind.
p2: 3 is odd number and 4 is a perfect square number.
p3: It is a shame to greet the utility worker the same way as with the school principal.
p4: Either logic is fun and interesting, or it is boring.
Solution:
Symbols Using
Proposition Simple Component/s
Logical Connector/s
p: An individual is great.
p1 If p, then q.
q: There is a teacher behind it.
p: 3 is odd number.
p2 p and q
q: 4 is a perfect square number.
p: Kite is a rhombus.
q: Square is a rectangle.
r: Trapezoid is a parallelogram.
3.Conjunction. If p and q are propositions, the conjunction of p and q, denoted by p Ʌ q which is read as “p and q” is the
proposition whose truth value depends on p or q.
p: Kite is a rhombus.
q: Square is a rectangle.
r: Trapezoid is a parallelogram.
1. p Ʌ q
2. p Ʌ (~q)
3. (~q) Ʌ (~r)
Solution:
1. Kite is a rhombus and square is a rectangle.
2. Kite is a rhombus and square is not a rectangle.
3. Square is not a rectangle and trapezoid is not a parallelogram.
4. Implications. These are conditional statements which are sometimes called as if-then statements. The “if” part is called
hypothesis or premise and the “then” part is called the conclusion. It is symbolized by p → q.
p: Rhombus is a parallelogram.
q: Square is a rhombus.
r: Kite is a rhombus.
Express the following logical operators in English sentence.
1. p → r
2. q → p
3. (~r) → (~q)
Solution:
1. If rhombus is a parallelogram, then kite is a rhombus.
2. If a square is a rhombus, then rhombus is a parallelogram.
3. If a kite is a not a rhombus, then square is not a rhombus.
5.Biconditional. This is an if and only if (iff) statement which symbolizes p ↔ q.
Example 7: Suppose a four-sided polygon is a quadrilateral. Let us now consider the following biconditionals.
For reference, these are the similar statements for each logical operator.
3
…Bringing our school closer to your home…
Logical Operators and their Meanings
Symbol Translation
~p not p; it is not the case that p; it is false that p; it is not true that p
pɅq p and q; p moreover q; although q; p still q; p furthermore q; p also q; p
nevertheless; p however q; p yet q; p but q
pvq p or q; p unless q
p→q if p then q; p implies q; p is sufficient condition for q; q follows from p; q
provided p; q whenever p; q is a logical consequence of p
p↔q p if and only if q; p iff q; p is equivalent to q
It is also important to determine the proper use of parenthesis, brace or bracket as grouping marks. Here are the
guidelines.
1. The parenthesis is used whenever the word “both” goes with “and” and “either” goes with “or”.
• both p or q and r (p v q) Ʌ r
• p or both q and r p v (q Ʌ r)
• either p and q or r (p Ʌ q) v r
• p and either q or r p Ʌ (q v r)
2. Since “neither p nor q” is the same as “not either p or q” and “both p or q are not”, then it is denoted by ~(p v q).
3. The order of words “both” and “not” should also be taken into consideration.
• p and q are not both ~(p Ʌ q)
• p and q are both not ~p Ʌ ~q
4. The parenthesis, brackets, and braces are used in symbolic logic in the same manner as in mathematical expressions.
Steps Symbols
1. q The food supply is adequate
2. q Ʌ The food supply is adequate and
3. q Ʌ r The food supply is adequate and the visitors are hungry
4. q Ʌ r Ʌ The food supply is adequate and the visitors are hungry but
5. q Ʌ r Ʌ ~p The food supply is adequate and the visitors are hungry but the rice cooker
is not working.
2. Write the proposition ~r v (p Ʌ q) in plain English.
Steps Symbols
1. ~r The visitors are not hungry
2. ~r v The visitors are not hungry or
3. ~r v (p Either the visitors are not hungry or the rice cooker is working
4. ~r v (p Ʌ q) Either the visitors are not hungry or the rice cooker is working and the
food supply is adequate.
YOUR TASKS!
5
…Bringing our school closer to your home…
1. (~𝑐) ∧ (𝑏 ↔ 𝑎)
2. (𝑎 ∨ 𝑏) → 𝑑
3. ~𝑑 ↔ (~𝑎 ∧ ~𝑏
C. Let d, e, f and g be propositions.
d: There is wisdom in spending on needs.
e: It makes sense to think at least twice before giving in for wants.
f: A good planner saves first before spending.
g: A shopaholic should learn self-control.
Express the following propositions in symbols.
1. If a good planner saves first before spending, then there is wisdom in spending on needs and it makes sense to
think at least twice before giving in for wants.
2. A shopaholic should not learn self-control if and only if a good planner does not save first before spending and
it does not make sense to think at least twice before giving in for wants.
3. There is wisdom in spending on needs or a shopaholic should not learn self-control.
WRAP-UP ACTIVITY
1. Negation is _________________________________
2. Conjunction is __________________________________
3. Disjunction is ____________________________________
4. Conditional ____________________________________
5. Biconditional___________________________________
REFERENCES
Apolinario, P. L. et al (2016). General Mathematics Learner's Material. Pasig City: Lexicon Press Inc. pp.240-256.
This Student Learning Guide will be discussed during Online Consultation on the following schedule.
8th Week of 2nd Quarter
Monday & Tuesday
8:00am -10:00am
Visit your Official Facebook Class Group.
Search MNHS (Subject Area) (Surname of your subject teacher, School Year)
Search MNHS General Mathematics 11 Sarah / Florentino, SY 2021-2022
6
…Bringing our school closer to your home…
7
…Bringing our school closer to your home…