Logic Exercises

For each of the following standardized arguments do the following: (i) fully symbolize
the argument i.e., replace complete sentences with Ps and Qs; insert arrows,
wedges, tildes, etc.; (ii) state the arguments form (e.g., Modus Ponens, Modus
Tollens, etc.); (iii) state whether it is valid or invalid.
1.

1. If Benny bet it all on Lucky Thirteen, then Bennys penniless.

2. Benny bet it all on Lucky Thirteen.
3. Bennys penniless.

Let:
P=If Benny bet it all on Lucky Thirteen
Q=Then Bennys penniless
1.)PQ
2.)P
3.)Q
Modus Ponens
Valid Argument
2.
1. If Sues smiling at Sam, then Sams blushing.
2. Sams not blushing.
3. Sues not smiling at Sam.
Let:
P: If Sues smiling at Sam
Q: Then Sams blushing
1.) PQ
2.) Not Q
-----------------------------3.) Not P
Modus Tollens
Valid Argument

3.
1. If I study hard, then Ill graduate.
2. If I graduate, then Ill get the job I want.
3. If I study hard, then Ill get the job I want.

Let:
P=If I study hard
Q=Then Ill graduate
R=Then Ill get the job I want
1.)PQ
2.)QR
3.)PR
Hypothetical Syllogism
Valid Argument

4.

1. Monique took Tylenol or Monique has a headache.

2. Monique doesnt have a headache.
3. Monique took Tylenol.

Let:
P=Monique took Tylenol
Q=Monique has a headache
1.)P or Q
2.)Not Q
3.)P
Dysjunctive syllogism
Valid argument
5.
1. If Steves looking at Julie, then Ericas annoyed.
2. Steves looking at Julie.
3. Ericas annoyed.
Let:
P:If Steves looking at Julie
Q:Then Ericas annoyed
1.)PQ
2.)P
3.)Q
Modus Ponens
Valid Argument

6.

1. Jeffs working or Jeffs partying.

2. Jeffs not working.
3. Jeffs partying.

Let:
P:Jeffs Working
Q:Jeffs Partying
1.)P or Q
2.)Not P
3.)Q
Disjunctive Syllogism
Valid

7.

1. If Im lying, then Im dying.

2. Im not dying.
3. Im not lying.

Let:
P:If Im lying
Q:Then Im dying
1.)PQ
2.)Not Q
3.)Not P

Denying the Antecedent

Invalid argument

8.

1. If our actions are determined, then were unable to act otherwise.

2. If were unable to act otherwise, then were not free or responsible.
3. If our actions are determined, then were not free or responsible.

Let:
P=If our actions are determined
Q=Then were unable to act otherwise
R=Then were not free or responsible
1.)PQ
2.)QR
3.)PR
Hypothetical Syllogism
Valid Argument

9.
1. If God exists, then every evil is necessary to achieve a greater good.
2. Not every evil is necessary to achiever a greater good.
3. God doesnt exist.
Let:
P:If God exists
Q:Then every evil is necessary to achieve a greater good
1.)PQ
2.)Not Q
3.)Not P
Denying the Antecedent
Invalid Argument

10.
1. Were purely physical beings or we have souls.
2. We dont have souls.
3. Were purely physical beings.
Let:
P:Were purely physical beings
Q:We have souls
1.)P or Q
2.)Not Q
3.)P

Dysjunctive Syllogism
Valid

11.

1. If our actions are undetermined, then our actions are random and
uncaused.
2. If our actions are random and uncaused, then were not free or responsible.
3. If our actions are undetermined, then were not free or responsible.
Let:
P:If our actions are undetermined
Q:Then our actions are random and uncaused
R: Then were not free or responsible
1.)PQ
2.)QR
3.)PR

12.

Hypothetical Syllogism
Valid Argument
1. If Joe and Jen got married yesterday, then Joe and Jen are honeymooning
today.
2. Joe and Jen got married yesterday.
3. Joe and Jen are honeymooning today.

Let:
P:If Joe and Jen got married yesterday
Q:Then Joe and Jen are honeymooning today
1.)PQ
2.)P
3.)Q
Modus Ponens
Valid
13.
1. If I become a good person, then Ill be loved and sought after by many
people.
2. If Ill be loved and sought after by many people, then my life will be full.
3. If I become a good person, then my life will be full.
Let:
P:If I become a good person

Q:Then Ill be loved and sought after by many people

R:Then my life will be full
1.)PQ
2.)QR
3.)PR
Hypothetical Syllogism
Valid
14.

1. If Im lying, then Im a monkeys uncle.

2. Im lying.
3. Im a monkeys uncle.

Let:
P:If Im lying
Q:Then Im a monkeys uncle
1.)PQ
2.)Q
3.)P

Affirming the consequent

Invalid
15.
1. If were responsible for what we do, then were able to act against our
strongest desires.
2. Were not able to act against our strongest desires.
3. Were not responsible for what we do.

Let:
P:If were responsible for what we do
Q:then were able to act against our strongest desires
1.)PQ
2.)Not Q
3.)Not P
Modus Tollens
Valid

16.
1. We learn from history or were doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past.
2. We dont learn from our history.
3. Were doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past.
Let:
P:We learn from our history

Q:were doomed to repeat the same mistakes of the post

1.)P or Q
2.)Not P
3.)Q
Dysjunctive Syllogism
Valid
17.
1. If Im literally the same person as the kid in the photo, then Im still made of
some of the same cells as the kid in the photo.
2. Im not still made of some of the same cells as the kid in the photo.
3. Im not literally the same person as the kid in the photo.
Let:
P: If Im literally the same person as the kid in the photo
Q:then Im still made of some of the same cells as the kid in the photo
1.)PQ
2.)Not Q
3.) Not P
Denying the Antecedent
Invalid
18.

1. Stacey passed the logic test or Stacey partied all weekend.

2. Stacey didnt pass the logic test.
3. Stacy partied all weekend.

Let:
P:Stacey passed the logic test
Q:Stacey partied all weekend
1.)P or Q
2.)Not P
3.) Q
Dysjunctive Syllogism
Valid

19.
1. If the Devil made me do it, then Im innocent.
2. The Devil made me do it.
3. Im innocent.
Let:
P:If the devil made me do it
Q:then Im innocent
1.)PQ

2.)P
3.)Q
Modus Ponens
Valid
20.

1. If Im lying, then Im dying.

2. Im not dying.
3. Im not lying.

Let:
P:If Im lying
Q:then Im dying
1.)PQ
2.)Not Q
3.)Not P

Denying the antecedent

Invalid
21.
1. If I win the lottery, then Ill quit my job.
2. If I quit my job, then Ill be unemployed.
3. If I win the lottery, then Ill be unemployed.
Let:
P:If I win the lottery
Q:then Ill quit my job
R:then Ill be unemployd
1.)PQ
2.)QR
3.)PR
Hypothetical Syllogism
Valid

22.

1. If Smith shot green, then Greens dead.

2. Greens dead.
3. Smith shot green.

Let:
P:If Smith shot green
Q:then Greens dead
1.)PQ
2.)Q

3.)P
Affirming the consequent
Invalid
23.

1. If I had dreams last night, then I slept last night.

2. I didnt have dreams last night.
3. I didnt sleep last night.

Let:
P:If I had dreams last night
Q:then I slept last night
1.)PQ
2.)Not P
3.)Not Q

Denying the antecedent

Invalid
24.
1. I had lunch or Im hungry.
2. I had lunch.
3. Im not hungry.
Let:
P:I had lunch
Q:Im hungry
1.)P or Q
2.)Q
3.)Not P
Affirming a disjunct
Invalid

25.
1. If Jacks hungry, then Jack wants to eat.
2. Jack wants to eat.
3. Jacks hungry.
Let:
P: If Jacks hungry
Q:then Jack wants to eat
1.)PQ
2.)Q
3.)P
Affirming the consequent

Invalid
26.
1. Bills married or Bills a widower.
2. Bills a widower.
3. Bills not married.
Let:
P:Bills married
Q:Bills a widower
1.)P or Q
2.)Q
3.)Not P
Dysjunctive Syllogism
Valid
27.

1. If I got an A on the logic test, then I studied hard.

2. I didnt get an A on the logic test.
3. I didnt study hard.

Let:
P:If I got an A on the logic test
Q:then I studied hard
1.)PQ
2.)Not P
3.)Not Q

Denying the antecedent

Invalid
28.

1. Scott likes Rachel or Scott likes Lisa.

2. Scott likes Rachel.
3. Scott doesnt like Lisa.

Let:
P:Scott likes Rachel
Q:Scott likes Lisa
1.) P or Q
2.)P
3.) Not Q

Affirming a disjunct
Invalid
29.
1. If Smith killed Jones, then Smiths fingerprints are on the murder weapon.
2. Smiths fingerprints are on the murder weapon.
3. Smith killed Jones.
Let:
P:If Smith killed Jones
Q:then Smiths fingerprints are on the murder weapon

1.)PQ
2.)Q
3.)P
Affirming the consequent
Invalid
30.
1. If voting makes the world perfect, then you should vote.
2. Voting doesnt the world perfect.
3. You shouldnt vote.
Let:
P:If voting makes the world perfect
Q:then you should vote
1.)PQ
2.)Not P
3.)Not Q
Denying the Antecedent
Invalid
31.

1. Jodys working or Jodys at the mall.

2. Jodys working.
3. Jodys not at the mall.

Let:
P:Jodys working
Q:Jodys at the mall
1.)P or Q
2.)P
3.)Not Q

Affirming a disjunct
Invalid
32.
1. If Julie ditched class, then Julies at the beach.
2. Julies at the beach.
3. Julie ditched class.
Let:
P:If Julie ditched class
Q:then Julies at the beach
1.)PQ
2.)Q
3.)P
Affirming the consequent
Invalid
33.

1. If the dog ate this morning, then the dogs dish is empty.

2. The dog didnt eat this morning.

3. The dogs dish isnt empty.
Let:
P:If the dog ate this morning
Q:then the dogs dish is empty
1.)PQ
2.)Not P
3.)Not Q
Denying the Antecedent
Invalid
34.

1. I drove the speed limit or I got a ticket.

2. I got a ticket.
3. I didnt drive the speed limit.

Let:
P: I drove the speed limit
Q:I got a ticket
1.)P or Q
2.)Q
3.)Not P

Affirming a disjunct
Invalid

35.
1. If the lamp is unplugged, then the light bulbs dark.
2. The light bulbs dark.
3. The lamp is unplugged.
Let:
P:If the lamp is unplugged
Q:then the light bulbs dark
1.)PQ
2.)Q
3.)P
Affirming the consequent
Invalid

36.

1. If we raised taxes, then our private income will decrease.

2. We didnt raise taxes.
3. Our private income wont decrease.

Let:
P:If we raised taxes
Q:then our private income will decrease
1.)PQ
2.)Not P
3.)Not Q
Denying the Antecedent
Invalid