Chapter 1.6, Problem 10E
Chapter 1.6, Problem 10E
Chapter 1.6, Problem 10E
6, Problem 10E
Problem
For each of these sets of premises, what relevant conclusion or conclusions can be drawn?
Explain the rules of inference used to obtain each conclusion from the premises.
a) “If I play hockey, then I am sore the next day.” “I use the whirlpool if I am sore.” “I did not use
the whirlpool.”
b) “If I work, it is either sunny or partly sunny.” “I worked last Monday or I worked last Friday.”
“It was not sunny on Tuesday.” “It was not partly sunny on Friday.”
c) “All insects have six legs.” “Dragonflies are insects.” “Spiders do not have six legs.” “Spiders
cat dragon-flies.”
d) “Every student has an Internet account.” “Homer does not have an Internet account.”
“Maggie has an Internet account.”
e) “All foods that are healthy to eat do not taste good.” “Tofu is healthy to eat” “You only eat
what tastes good.” “You do not eat tofu.” “Cheeseburgers arc not healthy to eat.”
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 of 13
(a)
I play hockey.
I am sore.
Step 2 of 13
Use inference rules on the premises to get the conclusion.
Step Reason
1. Premise
2. Premise
4. Premise
From the last step, it can be concluded that “I did not play hockey”.
Step 3 of 13
(b)
I work on .
It is sunny on .
It is partly sunny on .
Step 4 of 13
Use inference rules on the premises to get the conclusion.
Step Reason
1. Premise
2. Premise
3. Premise
7.
From the last step, it can be concluded that “It was either sunny or partly sunny on Monday or
sunny on Friday”.
Therefore, the conclusion is “It was either sunny or partly sunny on Monday or sunny on
Friday”.
Step 5 of 13
(c)
x eats
Step 6 of 13
Step Reason
1. Premise
3. Premise
3. Premise
7. Premise
9. Contrapositive of 2
From the last step, it can be concluded that “All spiders are not insects, or Spiders are not
insects”.
Therefore, the conclusion is “All spiders are not insects, or Spiders are not insects ”.
Step 7 of 13
(d)
is a student.
Step 8 of 13
Use inference rules on the premises to get the conclusion.
Step Reason
1. Premise
3. Premise
From the last step, it can be concluded that “Homer is not a student”.
Step 9 of 13
(e)
: x is healthy to eat.
: x tastes good.
: You eat .
Step 10 of 13
Step Reason
1. Premise
3. Premise
5. Premise
8. Contrapositive of 6
From the last step, it can be concluded that “You do not eat healthy foods”.
Step 12 of 13
(f)
I am not dreaming.
: I am dreaming.
: I am hallucinating.
I am not dreaming.
Step 13 of 13
Use inference rules on the premises to get the conclusion.
Step Reason
1. Premise
2. Premise
3. Disjunctive syllogism
4. Premise
From the last step, it can be concluded that “I see elephants running down the road”.