SESSION 7

Argument
An argument can be represented in symbolic form as
P1 ^ P2 ^ P3 ^ ^ Pn

q (or) ( P1 ^ P2 ^ P3 ^ ^ Pn) q

Where P1 , P2, P3 , , Pn are given statements , called the hypothesis of

the argument and q is the conclusion of the argument.
Valid Arguments
The argument ( P1 ^ P2 ^ P3 ^ ^ Pn) q is valid if it is a Tautology.
i.e P1 ^ P2 ^ P3 ^ ^ Pn q.
Alternatively q is a logical conclusion from.
P1 , P2 , P3 , , Pn wherever the truth of P1 , P2 , P3 , , Pn implies the
truth of q.
Class Assigment
1.Show that the following Statements constitute a valid argument.
if there was a ball game then travelling was difficult . If they arrived on
time , then travelling was not difficult. They arrived on time. Therefore there
was no ball game
Solution :
Let A: There was a ball game
B: Travelling was difficult
C: They arrived on time.

The premises of argument are ( A

is A.

B),(C B),C and the conclusion

Proof Sequence
Step

Premises

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

A
C
B
A
C

Rule

Reason

p
p
T
T
T
p
T

C
C
A

C
A

Given
Given
From 1 & 2, p q q p
From 1 & 3 Chain rule
From 4, p q q p
Given
From 5 & 6 p q, p q
Modus ponens

The truth of all premises implies the truth of their conclusion.

The given argument is valid.
2.If the labour market is perfect,then the wages of all persins in a particular
employment are equal.But it is a case that, wages for such persons are not
equal. Therefore the labour market is not perfect.
Soln:
Let P : Labour market is perfect.
Q : wages for all persons in a particular employment are equal.
The symbolized fom is
(P Q),( Q P)
The premises are (P Q), Q and the conclusion is P.
To prove : ((P Q) ^ Q ) P is a tautology.
P

T
T
F
F

T
F
T
F

P
Q
T
F
T
T

Q
F
T
F
T

(P Q)
^Q
F
F
F
T

P
F
F
T
T

((P Q) ^ Q )
P
T
T
T
T

 ((P

Q) ^ Q ) P is a tautology.

3. Demonstrate the validity of the argument P R, P Q, Q S ( R

S)
Soln:
Step
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Premises
P Q
QS
P S
S P
PR
S R
R S

Rule
p
p
T
T
p
T
T

Hence the argument is Valid.

Reason
Given
Given
From 1 & 2 , using chain rule
From 3 ,p q q p
Given
From 4 & 5,Chain rule
From 6, p q q p