Determine whether the argument is valid or invalid

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$$\displaylines{ ¬p → (r ∧ ¬s)\cr t → s\cr u → ¬p\cr ¬w\cr u ∨ w\cr ∴ t → w\cr}$$

I have the solution which shows

We start by noticing that we have (How did we know we have to start here?) $$\displaylines{ u ∨ w; ¬w; ∴ u.\cr}$$

Indeed, if u ∨ w and ¬w are both true, then w is false, and u must be true.

Next $$\displaylines{ u → ¬p; u; ∴ ¬p.\cr}$$

Indeed, if u → ¬p is true, either u is true and ¬p is true, or u is false. But u is true, thus ¬p is true (Modus Ponens).

Then $$\displaylines{ ¬p → r ∧ ¬s; ¬p; ∴ r ∧ ¬s,\cr}$$

this is again Modus Ponens. Then $$\displaylines{r ∧ ¬s; ∴ ¬s.\cr}$$

Indeed, for r ∧ ¬s to be true, it must be that ¬s is true. Finally [Why can't let r to be false instead?)

$$\displaylines{t → s; ¬s; ∴ ¬t\cr}$$

since for t → s to be true, we need either t to false, or t and s to be true, but since s is false, t must be false (Modus Tollens), and

$$\displaylines{¬t ∴ ¬t ∨ w\cr}$$ or equivalently $$\displaylines{¬t ∨ w ≡ t → w\cr}$$ using the Conversion theorem, which shows that the argument is valid.

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We start by noticing that we have (How did we know we have to start here?)

There is really no particular way you can know this, these problems generally involve a bit of trial and error.

Indeed, for $r\wedge\neg s$ to be true, it must be that $\neg s$ is true. Finally (Why can't let $r$ to be false instead?)

$\wedge$ means "and": if $r\wedge\neg s$ is true then $r$ is true and $\neg s$ is true.

But anyway I think this is a very complicated solution. Better: mark the statements (1), (2) etc, then

  • assume $t$ is true;
  • from (2), $s$ is true; therefore $r\wedge\neg s$ is false;
  • from (1), $\neg p$ is false;
  • from (3), $u$ is false;
  • from (5), $w$ is true.

That is, assuming $t$ true shows $w$ true; so the hypothetical $t\to w$ is true.

In fact, one can say more: assuming $t$ is true we have $w$ true as above; but (4) says $w$ is false which is a contradiction. So in fact $t$ is false, and this means that $t\to\langle\hbox{anything}\rangle$ is a valid conclusion!