CSE 103: Discrete Mathematics

Predicate
Rules of Inference
Predicates - more examples
L(x) = “x is a lion.” Universe of discourse
is all creatures.
F(x) = “x is fierce.”
C(x) = “x drinks coffee.”

All lions are fierce.

x (L(x) 
Some lions don’t drink coffee.
F(x))
x (L(x) 
Some fierce creatures don’t drink coffee.
C(x))

x (F(x) 
C(x))
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Predicates - quantifier negation

So, x P(x) is the same as x P(x).

So, x P(x) is the same as x P(x).

General rule: to negate a quantifier, move

negation to the right, changing quantifiers as you
go.

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Predicates - quantifier negation
No large birds live on honey.

x (L(x)  H(x))  x (L(x)  H(x)) Negation

rule
 x (L(x)  H(x)) DeMorgan’s

 x (L(x)  H(x)) Subst for 

What’s wrong with

this proof?

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Predicates - free and bound variables
A variable is bound if it is known or quantified.
Otherwise, it is free.

Examples:
P(x) x is free
P(5) x is bound to 5
x P(x) x is bound by quantifier

Reminder: in a
proposition, all
variables must be
bound.
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Predicates - multiple quantifiers
To bind many variables, use many quantifiers!

Example: P(x,y) = “x > y”

x P(x,y) c)
xy P(x,y) b)
xy P(x,y) a) a) True proposition
x P(x,3) b)
b) False
proposition
c) Not a
proposition
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Predicates - the meaning of multiple quantifiers

xy P(x,y) P(x,y) true for all x, y

pairs.
xy P(x,y) P(x,y) true for at least one x,
y pair.
xy P(x,y) For every value of x we can find a
(possibly different) y so that P(x,y)
is true.
xy P(x,y) There is at least one x for
which P(x,y) is always true.

Suppose P(x,y) = “x’s favorite

class is y.”

quantification order is not

commutative.
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Predicates - the meaning of multiple quantifiers
N(x,y) = “x is sitting by y”
xy N(x,y) False

xy N(x,y) True

xy N(x,y) True

?
xy N(x,y) False

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Proofs - how do you know?
The following statements are true:
If I am Mila, then I am a great swimmer.
I am Mila.

What do we know to be true?

I am a great swimmer!

How do we
know it?

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Proofs - how do you know?
A theorem is a statement that can be shown
to be true.
A proof is the means of doing so.

Axiom, postulates,
hypotheses and
previously proven
theorems.
Rules of inference

Proof

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Proofs - how do you know?
The following statements are true:
If I am Mila, then I am a great swimmer.
I am Mila.

What do we know to be true? What rule of

I am a great swimmer! inference
can we use
to justify
it?

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Proofs - Modus Ponens

I am Mila.
If I am Mila, then I am a great swimmer.

 I am a great swimmer!

p Inference
Tautology: Rule:
pq
(p  (p  q))  q Modus
q Ponens

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 Proofs - Modus Tollens

I am not a great skater.

If I am Erik, then I am a great skater.

 I am not Erik!

q Inference
Tautology: Rule:
pq
(q  (p  q))  p Modus
 p Tollens

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Proofs - Addition

I am not a great skater.

 I am not a great skater or I am tall.

Inference
Tautology: Rule:
p
p  (p  q) Addition
pq

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Proofs - Simplification

I am not a great skater and you are sleepy.

 you are sleepy.

Inference
Tautology: Rule:
pq
(p  q)  p Simplification
p

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Proofs - Disjunctive Syllogism

I am a great eater or I am a great skater.

I am not a great skater.

 I am a great eater!

pq Inference
Tautology: Rule:
q
((p  q)  q)  p Disjunctive
p Syllogism

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Proofs - Hypothetical Syllogism

If you are an athlete, you are always hungry.

If you are always hungry, you have a snickers in
your backpack.
 If you are an athlete, you have a snickers in
your backpack.
Inference
pq Tautology: Rule:
qr ((p  q)  (q  r))  Hypothetical
Syllogism
(p  r)
pr
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Proofs - A little quiz…

Amy is a computer science major. Addition

 Amy is a math major or a computer science major.

If Ernie is a math major then Ernie is geeky.

Ernie is not geeky!

 Ernie is not a math major. Modus Tollens

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Proofs - A little proof…

Here’s what you know:

Ellen is a math major or a CS major.
If Ellen does not like discrete math, she is not a
CS major.
If Ellen likes discrete math, she is smart.
Ellen is not a math major.

Can you conclude Ellen is smart?

MC
D  C
DS
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M
Proofs - A little proof…

1. M  C Given
2. D  C Given
3. D  S Given
4. M Given
5. C DS (1,4)
6. D MT (2,5)
7. S MP (3,6)

Ellen is smart!

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Proofs - A little proof…

1. M  C Given
2. D  C Given
3. D  S Given
4. M Given

5. C Disjunctive Syllogism (1,4)

6. C  D Contrapositive of 2
7. C  S Hypothetical Syllogism (6,3)
8. S Modus Ponens (5,7)

Ellen is smart!

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Proof Techniques - direct proofs

A totally different example:

Prove that if n = 3 mod 4, then n2 = 1 mod 4. HUH?

7 = 3 mod 4 7 = 111 mod 4

37 = 1 mod 4
37 = 61 mod 4 94 = 2 mod 4 94 = 6 mod 4
16 = 0 mod 4 16 = 1024 mod 4

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 Proof Techniques - direct proofs

A totally different example:

Prove that if n = 3 mod 4, then n2 = 1 mod 4.

If n = 3 mod 4, then n = 4k + 3 for some

int k.
n2 = (4k + 3)(4k + 3)
But then,
= 16k2 + 24k + 9
= 16k2 + 24k + 8 + 1
= 4(4k2 + 6k + 2) + 1
= 4j + 1 for some int j
= 1 mod 4.
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Proofs - Fallacies

Rules of inference, appropriately applied give

valid arguments.

Mistakes in applying rules of inference are

called fallacies.

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 Proofs - valid arg or fallacy?
Affirming the
If I am Bonnie Blair, then I skate fast
conclusion.
I skate fast!

 I am Bonnie Blair I’m Eric Heiden

((p  q)  q)  p
Not a tautology.
If you don’t give me $10, I bite your ear.
I bite your ear!

 You didn’t give me $10. I’m just mean.

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 Proofs - valid arg or fallacy?

If it rains then it is cloudy. Denying the

It does not rain. hypothesis.

 It is not cloudy February!

((p  q)  p)  q
If it is a car, then it has 4 wheels. Not a tautology.
It is not a car.

 It doesn’t have 4 wheels. ATV

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