Session -9

Problems on Inference
Exercise Problems:
Determine the following arguments are valid or invalid

1. p → q 2. r → s 3. r → s
q→r ~s p→q
r→s −−−−−− rVp
−−−−−− ~r −−−−−−
p→s sVq
Solution:1

1. Step Reason
i) p → q Given premise
ii) q → r Given premise
iii) p →r (i, ii ), Hypothetical syllogism
iv) r → s Given premise
v) p → s (iii, iv ), Hypothetical syllogism

Hence the given inference is valid.

Solution:2

2. Step Reason
i) r → s Given premise
ii) ~s Given premise
iii) ~r (i, ii ), ModusTollens

Hence the given inference is valid.

Solution:3

3. Step Reason
i) p → q Given premise
ii) r V p Given premise
iii) ~r →p ( ii ), Law of Implication
iv) ~r → q (i, iii) Hypothetical syllogism
v) r → s Given premise
vi) ~s →~r (v), Law of contra positive
vii) ~s →q (iv, vi) Hypothetical syllogism
viii) s V q (vii), Law of Implication

Hence the given inference is valid.

Determine the following arguments are valid or invalid

4. p → (r → s) 5. ~ r→(s → ~t) 6. p
~r → ~p ~r V w p→q
p ~p → s q→r
−−−−−−− ~w −−−−−−−
s −−−−−−− r
t→p
Solution:4
4. Step Reason
i) p → (r → s) Given premise
ii)p Given premise
iii) r →s (i, ii ), Modus Ponens
iv) ~r → ~p Given premise
v) p → r (iv), Law of contra positive
vi) p → s (iii, v), Hypothetical syllogism
vii) s (ii, vi), Modus Ponens

Hence the given inference is valid.

Solution:5

5. Step Reason
i) ~r V w Given premise
ii) w V ~r (i), Commutative
iii) ~w Given premise
iv) ~r (ii, iii), Disjunctive syllogism
v) ~ r→(s → ~t) Given premise
vi) s → ~t (iv, v), Modus Ponens
vii) ~p → s Given premise
viii) ~p → ~t (vi, vii), Hypothetical
syllogism
ix) t → p (viii), Law of contra positive

Hence the given inference is valid.

Solution:6

6. Step Reason
i) p → q Given premise
ii)q → r Given premise
iii) p → r (i, ii ), Hypothetical syllogism
iv) ~p Given premise
v) ~r (iii, iv), Fallacy 2

Hence the given inference is Invalid.

Determine the following arguments are valid or invalid
7. ~p 8. (p Ʌ q) → ~t
p→q wVr
q→r w→p
−−−−−−− r→q
~r −−−−−−−−−−−−
(w V r) → ~t
 Example :1
Determine the following arguments are valid or invalid
1. If Tallahassee is not in Florida, then golf balls are not sold in Chicago.
Golf balls are not sold in Chicago.
Hence, Tallahassee is in Florida.
Solution: The statements are represented as:
P: Tallahassee is in Florida
Q: Golf balls are sold in Chicago
The given arguments are represented as : ~P → ~Q
~Q
--------------
P
Proof: i) ~P → ~Q Given Premise
ii) ~Q Given Premise
iii) P (i,ii) Fallacy Rule 3

Hence the given Argument is Invalid by Fallacy 3

Example 2
2. If a baby is hungry, then the baby cries.
If the baby is not mad, then he does not cry.
If a baby is mad, then he has a red face.
Therefore, if a baby is hungry, then he has a red face.
Solution: The statements are represented as:
P: Baby is Hungry
Q: Baby Cries
R: Baby is Mad
S: Baby has a red face
The given arguments are represented as :
P→Q
~R → ~Q
R→S
--------------
P→S
 (contd)

Proof:

i) P→Q Given Premise

ii) ~R → ~Q Given Premise
iii) Q → R (ii) Law of Contradiction
iv) P → R (i,iii) Hypothetical syllogism
v) R→S Given Premise
vi) P → S (iv,v) Hypothetical Syllogism

Hence the given argument is valid.

 Work out Problem

Determine the following arguments are valid or invalid

3. If Nixon is not reelected, then Tulsa will lose it air base.

Nixon will be re-elected iff Tulsa will vote for him.
If Tulsa keeps its air base, Nixon will be re-elected.
Therefore, Nixon will be reelected.

4. If today is David’s Birthday, then today is January 24th.

Today is January 24th.
Hence, today is David’s Birthday
Fill the blanks
5. If today is Thursday, 10days from now will be Monday.
Today is Thursday.
Hence,________________

Solution: The given arguments can be represented as:

P: Today is Thursday
Q: 10 days from now will be Monday
P→Q
P
-------------
?
Proof: i) P → Q Given Premises
ii) P Given Premises
iii) Q (i,ii) Modus Ponen Rule
Hence, 10 days from now will be Monday
6. If today is Sunday, then I will go to church.
______________________
Therefore, I will go to church.
Solution: The arguments can be represented as:
P: Today is Sunday
Q: I will go to Church

Therefore, P → Q
?
-------------------
Q
Proof:
i) P→Q Given Premise
ii) P
iii) Q (i,ii) Modus Ponen Rule
Hence, the missing argument is Today is Sunday
 Work out Problem
Fill in the blanks for conformity with transitive rule.

7. Triangle ABC is equilateral implies triangle ABC is equiangular.

Triangle ABC is equiangular implies angle A=60.
Hence, _______________________
Use a contradiction argument to verify the following valid inferences.

16. q → t 17. ~p → (q →~w)

s→r ~s → q
qVs ~t
________ ~p V t
tVr _______
w→s
Hint:
1. Take the negation of the conclusion as one of the argument.
2. Consider negation of one of the premise as conclusion.
Example:
q→t
s→r
~ (t V r)
________
Determine whether the argument is valid or invalid

15. If today is David’s Birthday, then today is January

24th.
Today is January 24th.
Hence, today is David’s Birthday
Use contrapositive argument to verify the following
valid inference

18. w → (r →s)
____________
(w Ʌ r) → s