PROOF
A proof is a correct (well-reasoned, logically valid) and complete (clear, detailed) argument that rigorously &
undeniably establishes the truth of a mathematical statement.
Types of Proof
• A direct proof is a way to demonstrate the truth of a statement by logically combining established facts,
axioms, definitions, and previously proven theorems. It involves starting with a hypothesis and, through
a series of logical steps, arriving at the conclusion.
• Proof by contradiction is a mathematical proof technique where you assume the opposite of what you
want to prove and then show that this assumption leads to a contradiction, thus proving the original
statement true.
• Proof by induction is a mathematical technique used to prove that a statement is true for all natural
numbers (or a subset of them).
• Proof by contrapositive, also known as proof by contraposition, is a method of proof in mathematics
where, instead of proving a conditional statement directly, you prove its contrapositive.
Essential Concepts:
• Axioms are foundational statements that are assumed to be true within a particular mathematical
system.
• Definitions are not statements that are proven or assumed; they are used to create a shared
understanding of mathematical objects.
• Theorems are statements that have been rigorously proven to be true based on axioms, definitions, and
previously proven theorems.
• Postulates are similar to axioms in that they are foundational assumptions within a particular
mathematical system.
PROPOSITION
A proposition (or statement) is a declarative sentence which is either true or false, but not both.
If a proposition is true, then its truth value is true which is denoted by T; otherwise, its truth value is false,
which is denoted by F.
Simple proposition is a proposition that conveys one thought with no connecting words.
Compound proposition is a proposition formed from simpler propositions using logical connectors or some
combination of logical connectors.
1. Conjunction - two simple propositions connected using the word “and”.
Symbol : p ∧ q read as p and q
Example:
• It is raining and the sun is shining.
2. Disjunction - two simple propositions connected using the word “or”.
Symbol : p ∨ q read as p or q
Example:
• He studied Mandarin at the University or he lived in Manila.
3. Conditional - two simple propositions that are connected using the words “if…then”.
Symbol : 𝒑 → 𝒒 read as p implies q or
if p, then q
Example:
• If I am tired, then I go to bed.
4. Biconditional – conjunction of two conditional statements where the antecedent and consequent of the first
statement have been switched in the second statement.
Symbol : 𝒑 ↔ 𝒒 read as if and only if
Example:
• I can get my allowance, if and only if I will do my chores.
5. Negation - is a statement that is false whenever the given statement is true, and true whenever the given
statement is false.
Symbol : ~ 𝒑 read as not p
Example:
• p: I will win the race.
• ~ p: If will not win the race.
• The converse of a conditional statement is formed by interchanging the hypothesis and the conclusion.
For instance the converse of p→𝑞 is 𝑞→𝑝 (if q, then p). It may also be true or false.
Conditional Statement (If p, then q):
If you live in Davao, then you live in Mindanao.
Converse (If q, then p)
If you live in Mindanao, then you live in Davao.
In this case, the conditional is true, but the converse is false
• The inverse of a conditional statement is formed by negating both the hypothesis and conclusion. For
instance, the inverse of 𝑝→𝑞 𝑖𝑠 ~𝑝→~𝑞 (𝑖𝑓 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑝, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑞)
Conditional Statement (If p, then q):
If you live in Davao, then you live in Mindanao.
Inverse (If not p, then not q)
If you do not live in Davao, then you do not live in Mindanao.
• The contrapositive of a conditional statement is formed by interchanging the hypothesis and conclusion
and negating both. For instance the contrapositive of 𝑝→𝑞 𝑖𝑠 ~𝑞→~𝑝 (𝑖𝑓 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑞 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑝)
Conditional Statement (If p, then q)
If you live in Davao, then you live in Mindanao.
Contrapositive (If not q, then not p)
If you do not live in Mindanao, then you do not live in Davao.
AND OR IF …THEN IF AND ONLY IF NOT
