PROPOSITIONS

GENERAL MATHEMATICS
TOPIC: PROPOSITIONS
Proposition Defined
A Proposition is a declarative sentence that is either true or false, but not both.
A true proposition has a truth value of “true”, otherwise, its truth value is “false”.
Oftentimes, a small letter is used to denote a proposition. That is, the proposition
a: It is getting clearer.
may be read as
a is the proposition “It is getting clearer.”.
Moreover, a sequence of propositions may be denoted by 𝑝1, 𝑝2, 𝑝3, …
ACTIVITY 1: Determine if each sentence is a proposition or not. If it is, give its truth value.
a: Grounding is beneficial to a person.

b: Forgive and forget.
c: Happy birthday!
d: There is no stronger than the heart of a volunteer.
e: 3! = 6/2
f: If a person is disabled, then he/ she is entitled to obtain a PWD ID, and if a person is entitled to obtain a PWD ID,
then he/she is disabled.
Simple and Compound Propositions Defined

A Simple Proposition is a proposition that cannot be broken down into more than one proposition. Otherwise, it is a
Compound Proposition. The latter is a proposition that is formed by joining simple propositions using logical
connectors. Given propositions p and/or q, some logical connectors may be expressed in terms of the following:
not p
p and q
p or q
If p, then q
If and only if
ACTIVITY 2: In the blank before each number, write SP, CP, or N if it is a simple proposition, compound proposition, or
not a proposition, respectively. Furthermore, identify the logical connector/s used if it is a compound proposition.
_______________ 1. If bad company ruins good morals, then one should be mindful in choosing friends.
_______________ 2. Essential oils do not expire.
_______________ 3. Ponder on the sacrifices of your parents.
_______________ 4. If you study hard, then you will have good grades.
_______________ 5. Have you thought of the sick when you are spending too much?
_______________ 6. In tossing a fair coin once you may get a head or a tail.
_______________ 7. There is wisdom in spending for needs and it makes sense to think at least twice before giving in
for wants.
_______________ 8. Two lines are parallel if and only if they are coplanar and do not intersect.
_______________ 9. Study hard and rest well.
Logical Operators Enumerated

Let us consider the logical connectors we join with propositions. In this part, we shall deal with logical operators.
Logical operators include negation, conjunction, disjunction, conditional, and biconditional.
1. Negation Defined
The Negation of a proposition p is denoted by ~p which is read as “not p”, and is defined through its truth table
State the negation of each of the following propositions.
a: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥^2 is a cubic function.
b: An obtuse angle measures 180 degrees.

2. Conjunction Defined
Another logical operator is the Conjunction of the propositions p and q which is denoted by 𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 and read as
“p and q”, and is defined through its truth table
Proposition p and proposition q are called Conjuncts. The conjunction 𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 is true only when both conjuncts
p and q are true.
Let r, s and t be propositions.
r: There is a profit in physical exercise.
s: It is best to exercise holiness.
t: A person must be holistically fit.
Express the conjunctions below in verbal sentences or symbols.
1. There is a profit in physical exercise and it is best to exercise holiness.
2. There is no profit in physical exercise and a person must be holistically fit.
3. 𝑟 ∧ ~ 𝑡
4. ~ 𝑟 ∧ 𝑠
3. Disjunction Defined
Negation and conjunction do not suffice logic. There are logical statements that connote the disjunction of
propositions. The Disjunction of propositions p and q is denoted by 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 which reads as “𝑝 𝑜𝑟 𝑞”, and is
defined through its truth table.
Propositions p and q are each called Disjunct. The disjunction 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 is false only when both disjuncts p and q
are false.
Let t, u and y be propositions.
t: He is an old soul.
u: Old songs soothe his ears.
y: Old fashion is inviting to his eyes.
Express the disjunctions below in verbal sentences or in symbols.
1. 𝑢 ∨ 𝑦
2. (~𝑡 ^ (~𝑢)) ∨ 𝑦
3. “Either he is an old soul or old songs soothe his ears and old fashion is inviting to his eyes.”
4. “He is not an old soul and either old fashion is not inviting to his eyes or old songs soothe his ears.”
4. Conditional Defined
Another common kind of logical proposition includes conditional. The Conditional of propositions p and q is
denoted by 𝑝 → 𝑞 which reads as “if p, then q” or “p implies q”, and is defined through its truth table
Proposition p is called a Hypothesis, while proposition q is called a Conclusion.

Let x, y and z be propositions.
x: Dioxins are found almost everywhere.
y: Plastics, bleached paper, and most commodities contain the

chemical dioxin.
z: Dioxins are a culprit to many diseases.
Express the conditionals below in verbal sentences or symbols, as the case may be.
1. 𝑥 → 𝑧
2. (~𝑦) → (~𝑥 ∧ ~𝑧)
3. “If dioxins are a culprit to many diseases, then they are found almost everywhere and plastics, bleached
paper, and most commodities contain this chemical.”
4. “If dioxins are not found almost everywhere, then it is not true that either plastics, bleached paper, and
most commodities containing this chemical, or dioxins are the culprit to many diseases.”
5. Biconditional Defined
The last logical proposition that we shall consider is Biconditional. This is denoted by “𝑝 ↔ 𝑞” or “p iff q”
given propositions or Components p and q and it is read as “p if and only f q”, and defined through its truth
table.
Let g, h, I, and j be propositions.
g: Only physically handicapped individuals can be called persons with
disabilities.
h: Psychosocially disabled persons like those with chronic illnesses can also
avail of PWD ID.
i: There are numerous benefits that come along with owning a PWD ID.
j: Knowledge of the wide extent of a PWD has yet to be spread.
Express the biconditionals below in verbal sentences or symbols.
1. (~𝑔 ↔ ℎ) ∧ (𝑗 → 𝑖)
2. (𝑔 ∧ (~ℎ)) ↔ (~𝑗)
3. “Knowledge of the wide extent of a PWD has yet to be spread if and only if not only physically
handicapped individuals can be called persons with disability.”

PROPOSITIONS

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PROPOSITIONS

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

PROPOSITIONS

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

GENERAL MATHEMATICS

a: Grounding is beneficial to a person.

Simple and Compound Propositions Defined

Logical Operators Enumerated

State the negation of each of the following propositions.

a: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥^2 is a cubic function.

b: An obtuse angle measures 180 degrees.

Let r, s and t be propositions.

r: There is a profit in physical exercise.

s: It is best to exercise holiness.

t: A person must be holistically fit.

Express the conjunctions below in verbal sentences or symbols.

1. There is a profit in physical exercise and it is best to exercise holiness.

2. There is no profit in physical exercise and a person must be holistically fit.

Let t, u and y be propositions.

u: Old songs soothe his ears.

y: Old fashion is inviting to his eyes.

Express the disjunctions below in verbal sentences or in symbols.

Proposition p is called a Hypothesis, while proposition q is called a Conclusion.

x: Dioxins are found almost everywhere.

y: Plastics, bleached paper, and most commodities contain the

z: Dioxins are a culprit to many diseases.

2. (~𝑦) → (~𝑥 ∧ ~𝑧)

Let g, h, I, and j be propositions.

g: Only physically handicapped individuals can be called persons with

j: Knowledge of the wide extent of a PWD has yet to be spread.

Express the biconditionals below in verbal sentences or symbols.

You might also like