Chapter 1, Part II: Predicate Logic

With Question/Answer Animations

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1
Summary
 Predicate Logic (First-Order Logic (FOL), Predicate
Calculus)
 The Language of Quantifiers
 Logical Equivalences
 Nested Quantifiers
 Translation from Predicate Logic to English
 Translation from English to Predicate Logic

2
Section 1.4

3
Section Summary
 Predicates
 Variables
 Quantifiers
 Universal Quantifier
 Existential Quantifier
 Negating Quantifiers
 De Morgan’s Laws for Quantifiers
 Translating English to Logic
 Logic Programming (optional)

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Propositional Logic Not Enough
 If we have:
“All men are mortal.”
“Socrates is a man.”
 Does it follow that “Socrates is mortal?”
 Can’t be represented in propositional logic. Need a
language that talks about objects, their properties, and
their relations.
 Later we’ll see how to draw inferences.

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Introducing Predicate Logic
 Predicate logic uses the following new features:
 Variables: x, y, z
 Predicates: P(x), M(x)
 Quantifiers (to be covered in a few slides):
 Propositional functions are a generalization of
propositions.
 They contain variables and a predicate, e.g., P(x)
 Variables can be replaced by elements from their
domain.

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Propositional Functions
 Propositional functions become propositions (and have
truth values) when their variables are each replaced by a
value from the domain (or bound by a quantifier, as we will
see later).
 The statement P(x) is said to be the value of the
propositional function P at x.
 For example, let P(x) denote “x > 0” and the domain be the
integers. Then:
P(-3) is false.
P(0) is false.
P(3) is true.
 Often the domain is denoted by U. So in this example U is
the integers.

7
Examples of Propositional
Functions
 Let “x + y = z” be denoted by R(x, y, z) and U (for all three variables) be
the integers. Find these truth values:
R(2,-1,5)
Solution: F
R(3,4,7)
Solution: T
R(x, 3, z)
Solution: Not a Proposition
 Now let “x - y = z” be denoted by Q(x, y, z), with U as the integers.
Find these truth values:
Q(2,-1,3)
Solution: T
Q(3,4,7)
Solution: F
Q(x, 3, z)
Solution: Not a Proposition

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Compound Expressions
 Connectives from propositional logic carry over to predicate
logic.
 If P(x) denotes “x > 0,” find these truth values:
P(3) ∨ P(-1) Solution: T
P(3) ∧ P(-1) Solution: F
P(3) → P(-1) Solution: F
P(3) → ¬P(-1) Solution: T
 Expressions with variables are not propositions and therefore do
not have truth values. For example,
P(3) ∧ P(y)
P(x) → P(y)
 When used with quantifiers (to be introduced next), these
expressions (propositional functions) become propositions.

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Quantifiers Charles Peirce (1839-1914)

 We need quantifiers to express the meaning of English

words including all and some:
 “All men are Mortal.”
 “Some cats do not have fur.”
 The two most important quantifiers are:
 Universal Quantifier, “For all,” symbol: 
 Existential Quantifier, “There exists,” symbol: 
 We write as in x P(x) and x P(x).
 x P(x) asserts P(x) is true for every x in the domain.
 x P(x) asserts P(x) is true for some x in the domain.
 The quantifiers are said to bind the variable x in these
expressions.
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Universal Quantifier
 x P(x) is read as “For all x, P(x)” or “For every x, P(x)”
Examples:
1) If P(x) denotes “x > 0” and U is the integers, then x P(x) is
false.
2) If P(x) denotes “x > 0” and U is the positive integers, then
x P(x) is true.
3) If P(x) denotes “x is even” and U is the integers, then  x
P(x) is false.

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Existential Quantifier
 x P(x) is read as “For some x, P(x)”, or as “There is an
x such that P(x),” or “For at least one x, P(x).”
Examples:
1. If P(x) denotes “x > 0” and U is the integers, then x P(x) is
true. It is also true if U is the positive integers.
2. If P(x) denotes “x < 0” and U is the positive integers, then
x P(x) is false.
3. If P(x) denotes “x is even” and U is the integers, then x
P(x) is true.

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Thinking about Quantifiers
 When the domain of discourse is finite, we can think of
quantification as looping through the elements of the domain.
 To evaluate x P(x) loop through all x in the domain.
 If at every step P(x) is true, then x P(x) is true.
 If at a step P(x) is false, then x P(x) is false and the loop
terminates.
 To evaluate x P(x) loop through all x in the domain.
 If at some step, P(x) is true, then x P(x) is true and the loop
terminates.
 If the loop ends without finding an x for which P(x) is true, then x
P(x) is false.
 Even if the domains are infinite, we can still think of the
quantifiers this fashion, but the loops will not terminate in some
cases.

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Properties of Quantifiers
 The truth value of x P(x) and  x P(x) depend on both
the propositional function P(x) and on the domain U.
 Examples:
1. If U is the positive integers and P(x) is the statement
“x < 2”, then x P(x) is true, but  x P(x) is false.
2. If U is the negative integers and P(x) is the statement
“x < 2”, then both x P(x) and  x P(x) are true.
3. If U consists of 3, 4, and 5, and P(x) is the statement
“x > 2”, then both x P(x) and  x P(x) are true. But if
P(x) is the statement “x < 2”, then both x P(x) and
 x P(x) are false.

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Precedence of Quantifiers
 The quantifiers  and  have higher precedence than
all the logical operators.
 For example, x P(x) ∨ Q(x) means (x P(x))∨ Q(x)
 x (P(x) ∨ Q(x)) means something different.
 Unfortunately, often people write x P(x) ∨ Q(x) when
they mean  x (P(x) ∨ Q(x)).

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Returning to the Socrates Example
 Introduce the propositional functions Man(x)
denoting “x is a man” and Mortal(x) denoting “x is
mortal.” Specify the domain as all people.
 The two premises are:

 The conclusion is:

 Later we will show how to prove that the conclusion

follows from the premises.

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Equivalences in Predicate Logic
 Statements involving predicates and quantifiers are
logically equivalent if and only if they have the same
truth value
 for every predicate substituted into these statements
and
 for every domain of discourse used for the variables in
the expressions.
 The notation S ≡T indicates that S and T are logically
equivalent.
 Example: x ¬¬S(x) ≡ x S(x)

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Thinking about Quantifiers as
Conjunctions and Disjunctions
 If the domain is finite, a universally quantified proposition is
equivalent to a conjunction of propositions without quantifiers
and an existentially quantified proposition is equivalent to a
disjunction of propositions without quantifiers.
 If U consists of the integers 1,2, and 3:

 Even if the domains are infinite, you can still think of the
quantifiers in this fashion, but the equivalent expressions
without quantifiers will be infinitely long.

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Negating Quantified Expressions
 Consider x J(x)
“Every student in your class has taken a course in Java.”
Here J(x) is “x has taken a course in Java” and
the domain is students in your class.
 Negating the original statement gives “It is not the case
that every student in your class has taken Java.” This
implies that “There is a student in your class who has
not taken Java.”
Symbolically ¬x J(x) and x ¬J(x) are equivalent

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Negating Quantified Expressions
(continued)
 Now Consider  x J(x)
“There is a student in this class who has taken a course in
Java.”
Where J(x) is “x has taken a course in Java.”
 Negating the original statement gives “It is not the case
that there is a student in this class who has taken Java.”
This implies that “Every student in this class has not
taken Java”
Symbolically ¬ x J(x) and  x ¬J(x) are equivalent

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De Morgan’s Laws for Quantifiers
 The rules for negating quantifiers are:

 The reasoning in the table shows that:

 These are important. You will use these.

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Translation from English to Logic
Examples:
1. “Some student in this class has visited Mexico.”
Solution: Let M(x) denote “x has visited Mexico” and
S(x) denote “x is a student in this class,” and U be all
people.
x (S(x) ∧ M(x))
2. “Every student in this class has visited Canada or
Mexico.”
Solution: Add C(x) denoting “x has visited Canada.”
x (S(x)→ (M(x)∨C(x)))
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System Specification Example
 Predicate logic is used for specifying properties that systems must
satisfy.
 For example, translate into predicate logic:
 “Every mail message larger than one megabyte will be compressed.”
 “If a user is active, at least one network link will be available.”
 Decide on predicates and domains (left implicit here) for the variables:
 Let L(m, y) be “Mail message m is larger than y megabytes.”
 Let C(m) denote “Mail message m will be compressed.”
 Let A(u) represent “User u is active.”
 Let S(n, x) represent “Network link n is state x.
 Now we have:

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 Charles Lutwidge Dodgson
Lewis Carroll Example (AKA Lewis Caroll)
(1832-1898)
 The first two are called premises and the third is called the
conclusion.
1. “All lions are fierce.”
2. “Some lions do not drink coffee.”
3. “Some fierce creatures do not drink coffee.”
 Here is one way to translate these statements to predicate logic.
Let P(x), Q(x), and R(x) be the propositional functions “x is a
lion,” “x is fierce,” and “x drinks coffee,” respectively.
1. x (P(x)→ Q(x))
2. x (P(x) ∧ ¬R(x))
3. x (Q(x) ∧ ¬R(x))
 Later we will see how to prove that the conclusion follows from
the premises.
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Section 1.4

41
Section Summary
 Nested Quantifiers
 Order of Quantifiers
 Translating from Nested Quantifiers into English
 Translating Mathematical Statements into Statements
involving Nested Quantifiers.
 Translated English Sentences into Logical Expressions.
 Negating Nested Quantifiers.

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Nested Quantifiers
 Nested quantifiers are often necessary to express the
meaning of sentences in English as well as important
concepts in computer science and mathematics.
Example: “Every real number has an inverse” is
x y(x + y = 0)
where the domains of x and y are the real numbers.
 We can also think of nested propositional functions:
x y(x + y = 0) can be viewed as x Q(x) where Q(x) is
y P(x, y) where P(x, y) is (x + y = 0)

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Thinking of Nested Quantification
 Nested Loops
 To see if xyP (x,y) is true, loop through the values of x :
 At each step, loop through the values for y.
 If for some pair of x andy, P(x,y) is false, then x yP(x,y) is false and both the
outer and inner loop terminate.
x y P(x,y) is true if the outer loop ends after stepping through each x.
 To see if x yP(x,y) is true, loop through the values of x:
 At each step, loop through the values for y.
 The inner loop ends when a pair x and y is found such that P(x, y) is true.
 If no y is found such that P(x, y) is true the outer loop terminates as x yP(x,y)
has been shown to be false.
x y P(x,y) is true if the outer loop ends after stepping through each x.
 If the domains of the variables are infinite, then this process can not
actually be carried out.

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Order of Quantifiers
Examples:
1. Let P(x,y) be the statement “x + y = y + x.” Assume
that U is the real numbers. Then x yP(x,y) and
y xP(x,y) have the same truth value.
2. Let Q(x,y) be the statement “x + y = 0.” Assume that
U is the real numbers. Then x yQ(x,y) is true, but
y xQ(x,y) is false.

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Questions on Order of Quantifiers
Example 1: Let U be the real numbers,
Define P(x,y) : x ∙ y = 0
What is the truth value of the following:
1. xyP(x,y)
Answer: False
2. xyP(x,y)
Answer: True
3. xy P(x,y)
Answer: True
4. x  y P(x,y)
Answer: True
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Questions on Order of Quantifiers
Example 2: Let U be the real numbers,
Define P(x,y) : x / y = 1
What is the truth value of the following:
1. xyP(x,y)
Answer: False
2. xyP(x,y)
Answer: False
3. xy P(x,y)
Answer: False
4. x  y P(x,y)
Answer: True
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Quantifications of Two Variables
Statement When True? When False
P(x,y) is true for every There is a pair x, y for
pair x,y. which P(x,y) is false.

For every x there is a y for There is an x such that

which P(x,y) is true. P(x,y) is false for every y.
There is an x for which For every x there is a y for
P(x,y) is true for every y. which P(x,y) is false.
There is a pair x, y for P(x,y) is false for every
which P(x,y) is true. pair x,y

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Translating Nested Quantifiers into
English
Example 1: Translate the statement
x (C(x )∨ y (C(y ) ∧ F(x, y)))
where C(x) is “x has a computer,” and F(x,y) is “x and y are
friends,” and the domain for both x and y consists of all
students in your school.
Solution: Every student in your school has a computer or
has a friend who has a computer.
Example 2: Translate the statement
xy z ((F(x, y)∧ F(x,z) ∧ (y ≠z))→¬F(y,z))
Solution: There is a student none of whose friends are
also friends with each other.
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Translating Mathematical
Statements into Predicate Logic
Example : Translate “The sum of two positive integers is
always positive” into a logical expression.
Solution:
1. Rewrite the statement to make the implied quantifiers and
domains explicit:
“For every two integers, if these integers are both positive, then the
sum of these integers is positive.”
2. Introduce the variables x and y, and specify the domain, to
obtain:
“For all positive integers x and y, x + y is positive.”
3. The result is:
x  y ((x > 0)∧ (y > 0)→ (x + y > 0))
where the domain of both variables consists of all integers

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Translating English into Logical
Expressions Example
Example: Use quantifiers to express the statement
“There is a woman who has taken a flight on every
airline in the world.”
Solution:
1. Let P(w,f) be “w has taken f ” and Q(f,a) be “f is a
flight on a .”
2. The domain of w is all women, the domain of f is all
flights, and the domain of a is all airlines.
3. Then the statement can be expressed as:
w a f (P(w,f ) ∧ Q(f,a))

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Calculus in Logic (optional)
Example: Use quantifiers to express the definition of the limit of a
real-valued function f(x) of a real variable x at a point a in its
domain.
Solution: Recall the definition of the statement

is “For every real number ε > 0, there exists a real number δ > 0
such that |f(x) – L| < ε whenever 0 < |x –a| < δ.”
Using quantifiers:

Where the domain for the variables ε and δ consists of all

positive real numbers and the domain for x consists of all real
numbers.

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Questions on Translation from
English
Choose the obvious predicates and express in predicate logic.
Example 1: “Brothers are siblings.”
Solution: x y (B(x,y) → S(x,y))
Example 2: “Siblinghood is symmetric.”
Solution: x y (S(x,y) → S(y,x))
Example 3: “Everybody loves somebody.”
Solution: x y L(x,y)
Example 4: “There is someone who is loved by everyone.”
Solution: y x L(x,y)
Example 5: “There is someone who loves someone.”
Solution: x y L(x,y)
Example 6: “Everyone loves himself”
Solution: x L(x,x)
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Negating Nested Quantifiers
Example 1: Recall the logical expression developed three slides back:
w a f (P(w,f ) ∧ Q(f,a))
Part 1: Use quantifiers to express the statement that “There does not exist a woman who
has taken a flight on every airline in the world.”
Solution: ¬w a f (P(w,f ) ∧ Q(f,a))
Part 2: Now use De Morgan’s Laws to move the negation as far inwards as possible.
Solution:
1. ¬w a f (P(w,f ) ∧ Q(f,a))
2. w ¬ a f (P(w,f ) ∧ Q(f,a)) by De Morgan’s for 
3. w  a ¬ f (P(w,f ) ∧ Q(f,a)) by De Morgan’s for 
4. w  a f ¬ (P(w,f ) ∧ Q(f,a)) by De Morgan’s for 
5. w  a f (¬ P(w,f ) ∨ ¬ Q(f,a)) by De Morgan’s for ∧.
Part 3: Can you translate the result back into English?
Solution:
“For every woman there is an airline such that for all flights, this woman has not taken
that flight or that flight is not on this airline”

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Return to Calculus and Logic (Opt)
Example : Recall the logical expression developed in the calculus example three slides back.
Use quantifiers and predicates to express that does not exist.

1. We need to say that for all real numbers L,

2. The result from the previous example can be negated to yield:

3. Now we can repeatedly apply the rules for negating quantified expressions:

The last step uses the equivalence ¬(p→q) ≡ p∧¬q

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Calculus in Predicate Logic
(optional)
4. Therefore, to say that does not exist means
that for all real numbers L, can be
expressed as:

Remember that ε and δ range over all positive real

numbers and x over all real numbers.
5. Translating back into English we have, for every real
number L, there is a real number ε > 0, such that for
every real number δ > 0, there exists a real number
x such that 0 < | x – a | < δ and |f(x) – L | ≥ ε .
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Some Questions about Quantifiers
(optional)
 Can you switch the order of quantifiers?
 Is this a valid equivalence?
Solution: Yes! The left and the right side will always have the same truth
value. The order in which x and y are picked does not matter.
 Is this a valid equivalence?
Solution: No! The left and the right side may have different truth values for
some propositional functions for P. Try “x + y = 0” for P(x,y) with U being the
integers. The order in which the values of x and y are picked does matter.
 Can you distribute quantifiers over logical connectives?
 Is this a valid equivalence?
Solution: Yes! The left and the right side will always have the same truth
value no matter what propositional functions are denoted by P(x) and Q(x).
 Is this a valid equivalence?
Solution: No! The left and the right side may have different truth values.
Pick “x is a fish” for P(x) and “x has scales” for Q(x) with the domain of
discourse being all animals. Then the left side is false, because there are some
fish that do not have scales. But the right side is true since not all animals are
fish.

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