Proof rules for quantifiers

210 Views Asked by At

Suppose my premise is "for all x: P(x)" and I am trying to prove "exists y: Q(y)". Which quantifier proof rule could I use in the first step of my proof, and which in the last?

My answer to this would be rule of specification, then existence. However, I am stuck on the difference between instantiation proof and existence. Can anyone help me with that?

1

There are 1 best solutions below

0
On

You cannot prove it because it is not valid.

Consider the interpretation with domain the set $\mathbb N$ of natural numbers and interpret $P(x)$ as $x \ge 0$ and $Q(y)$ as $y < 0$.

Under this interpretation, the formula means :

$\forall x (x \ge 0) \to \exists y (y < 0)$.

In $\mathbb N$ the antecedent is true while the consequent is false: thus, the formula is false.