Stating whether the stament that uses predicate logic is true in certain domains?

148 Views Asked by At

Let Z = {...,−2,−1,0,1,2,...} be the domain of integers and N the naturals (i.e. non-negative integers). The predicate symbol S(x, y, z) is interpreted as x + y = z; P (x, y, z) is meant to be x.y = z; L(x,y) is interpreted as x < y; and ≈ (x,y) is interpreted as x = y. For each of the sentences below, state whether it is true in Z, N, both or neither. Briefly(!) explain your answers in precise English.

(a) ∀x∃yP(x,y,x) (b) ∃y∀xP(x,y,x), (c) ∃x∀yS(x,y,y), (d) ∀x(L(x,0) → ∃yP(y,y,x)), (e) ∀x∀y(P(x,x,y)∧ ∼≈ (x,0) → L(0,x)), (f) ∀x∀y(P(x,x,y)∧ ∼≈ (x,0) → L(0,y)),

I have been completely stuck on this question for an hour with nothing but loose YouTube links and tears to solve for it, can someone please explain and answer this question?

1

There are 1 best solutions below

0
On

Hint

You have to consider each formula in turn and try to "unpack" it into plain English; for (a) :

$∀x∃yP(x,y,x)$

it must be :

"for all number $x$, there is a number $y$ such that : $x = x \cdot y$" , i.e. $x$ is the product of $x$ and $y$.

The same for : $∃x∀yS(x,y,y)$, that reads as :

"there is a number $x$ such that, for all number $y$ : $y = x + y$" , i.e. $y$ is the sum of $x$ and $y$.

Having done this, you have to assess the truth-value of these statements when the variables $x$ and $y$ range over the sets $\mathbb Z$ of intergers and the set $\mathbb N$ of naturals respectively.

If you cannot "solve" them, you have to review the basic arithmetical properties ...