Chapter 1.
Sets
Basic mathematical logic.
A proposition is a statement that can be either true or false, it must be one or the other, and
cannot be both. Questions, comments or opinions are not mathematical statement.
• A negation of a proposition is its negative. If p is a proposition, then ¬p is the negation.
• When two propositions are joined by the word or, the new proposition is the disjunction
of the original propositions. To denote it, we use the symbol ∨. The disjunction is true,
when at least one of the propositions is true.
• When two propositions are joined using the work and, the new proposition is the con-
junction of the original propositions. To denote it, we use the symbol ∧. The conjunction
is true, only when both propositions are true.
• If a compound statement can be formed using an ”If..., then ...” form, then the statement
is an implication. To denote it, we use the symbol ⇒.
• Two statements are equivalent if one implies the other and vice versa. Usually they are
written in a form "...if and only if...". To denote it we use the symbol ⇐⇒
1. Which of the following statements are propositions? If they are propositions, evaluate the
value.
a) 11 − 5 = 7 b) 12 is odd number
3
c) is rational number d) 2 is not integer
4
e) All squares are rectangles. f) How tall are you?
g) A rectangle is not a parallelogram. h) Parallel lines eventually meet.
2. If r : Kelly is a good driver and s : Kelly has a good car, write down in symbolic form:
(a) Kelly is not a good driver.
(b) Kelly does not have a good car.
(c) Kelly is a good driver and has a good car.
(d) Kelly does not have a good car and is not a good driver.
(e) Kelly has a good car or Kelly is a good driver.
3. If x : Sergio would like to go swimming tomorrow and y : Sergio would like to go bowling
tomorrow, write down in symbolic form:
(a) Sergio would not like to go swimming tomorrow.
(b) Sergio would like to go swimming and bowling tomorrow.
(c) Sergio would like to go swimming or bowling tomorrow.
4. Suppose p represents it is raining and q represent there are puddles forming. Write the
following statements in symbolic form.
(a) If it is raining, then puddles are forming.
(b) If puddles are forming, then it is raining.
(c) It is not raining.
(d) If it is not raining, then puddles are not forming.
(e) If it is raining, then puddles are not forming.
(f) If puddles are not forming, then it is raining.
Chapter 1. Sets
5. Decide, whether the following statements are true or false.
√
a) (−11)2 = −11 ∧ 0 = 0 b) (1 + 2)2 = 12 + 22 ∧ 3 − 2 = (2 − 3)2
p
√ p
c) 5 > 2 ∧ 332 + 442 = 55 d) 2 · (−1) ̸= −2 · 1 ∨ 0, 12 ≥ 0, 13
√ √ √
e) 4 = −2 ∨ −22 = 4 f) 341 > 18 ∨ 341 < 18
g) 42 = 16 ∧ (−4)2 = 16 h) 7 < 10 ∧ 7 ≥ 3
√
i) 3 ∤ 9 ∨ 2 | 11 j) 2 > 3 ∨ 3 ≤ 3
p √ √ √
k) 2 · (−5) > 0 ∧ 22 + 3 2 = 52 l) −32 ̸= (−3)2 ∨ 8 ̸= 2 2
p
m) (4 + 5)2 = 42 + 52 ∨ 132 − 52 = 13 − 5 n) 42 = 24 ∧ 52 ̸= 25
6. Let’s consider three sentences p, q and r are as follows
p: x is prime number
q: x < 100
r: x is a 2-digit number.
Write in words:
a) ¬p b) ¬q c) p ∧ q
d) ¬q ∨ r e) ¬p ∨ ¬r
Can you state any x for which statements a) - e) are true?
Answers
1. a) F b) F c) T d) F
e) T f) not a proposition g) F h) F
2. a) ¬r b) ¬s c) r ∧ s d) (¬s) ∧ (¬r) e) r ∨ s
3. a) ¬x b) x ∧ y c) x ∨ y
4. a) p =⇒ q b) q =⇒ p c) ¬p
d) ¬p =⇒ ¬q e) p =⇒ ¬q f) ¬q =⇒ p
5. a) F b) F c) T d) T e) F f) T g) T
h) T i) F j) F k) F l) T m) F n) T
6. a) x is not a prime number; example x = 6
b) x ≥ 100; example x = 109
c) x is a prime number and x < 100; example x = 2
d) x ≥ 100 or x is a 2-digit number; example x = 300
e) x is not a prime number or x is not a 2-digit number; example x = 102
