lacunary - Mathnotes

Boolean Algebra

Inference Rules

Modus Ponens: P→Q,P⊢Q.

Modus Tollens: P→Q,¬Q⊢¬P.

Or Introduction: P⊢(P∨Q).

And Introduction: P,Q⊢(P∧Q).

And Elimination: (P∧Q)⊢P,Q.

Material Implication: (P→Q)⊢(¬P∨Q).

De Morgan's Laws

Theorem \@{negation-of-disjunction-is-conjunction-of-negations}

The negation of a disjunction is the conjunction of negations.

Proof \@{proof-of-negation-of-disjunction-is-conjunction-of-negations}

Let A and B be boolean variables. We want to show that

¬(A∨B)↔¬A∧¬B.

First, assume ¬(A∨B) is true. Then, A∨B is false. If A were true, then we'd have a contradiction, and similarly with B, so both A and B must be false, that is, ¬A and ¬B most both be true, and ¬(A∨B)→¬A∧¬B.

Now, assume ¬A∧¬B. Here, both ¬A and ¬B must be true, so both A and B must be false. Therefore, A∨B is false, so ¬A∧¬B→¬(A∨B) and we have shown ¬(A∨B)↔¬A∧¬B.

◻
Theorem \@{negation-of-conjunction-is-disjunction-of-negations}

The negation of a conjunction is the disjunction of negations.

Proof \@{proof-of-negation-of-conjunction-is-disjunction-of-negations}

Let A and B be boolean variables. We want to show that

¬(A∧B)↔¬A∨¬B.

First, assume ¬(A∧B) is true. Then, both A∧B must be false, so either A must be false or B must be false, or both must be false. If A is false, then ¬A is true, and so is ¬A∨¬B. The same is true if B is false, so ¬(A∧B)→¬A∨¬B.

Now, assume ¬A∨¬B is true. Then, either ¬A or ¬B must be true, so either A or B or both must be false. Now, if A is false, then A∧B is false. The same holds if B is false, and thus ¬(A∧B) is true. Therefore ¬A∨¬B→¬(A∧B) and we have shown ¬(A∧B)↔¬A∨¬B.

◻