Fitch proof exercise: showing $(lnot forall x ; P(x)) leftrightarrow (exists x lnot P(x))$












1












$begingroup$


I have got a Problem with the following fitch proof excercise:




$quad;; |$



$triangleright quad | quad ?. quad (lnot forall x ; P(x)) leftrightarrow (exists x lnot P(x))$




This is how far I got: (Notice: I started from the bottom to the top!)



enter image description here



My problem is, that I can't find a way how to contradict $P(c)$. My first idea was, to proof $forall x ; P(x)$ in the subproof in order to get a contradiction.



As you can see, this is only the first part of the proof. I know that I will have to use a Biconditional introduction in the end. I only need help for the first subproof.



Would be great if anyone could give me some hints.










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  • $begingroup$
    Welcome to math stackexchange. I have tidied up your question -- we like it when titles are very specific! I hope you find the answers helpful.
    $endgroup$
    – 6005
    Jan 5 at 13:02










  • $begingroup$
    Thank you very much. I will do better next time ;).
    $endgroup$
    – Jenew
    Jan 5 at 13:10
















1












$begingroup$


I have got a Problem with the following fitch proof excercise:




$quad;; |$



$triangleright quad | quad ?. quad (lnot forall x ; P(x)) leftrightarrow (exists x lnot P(x))$




This is how far I got: (Notice: I started from the bottom to the top!)



enter image description here



My problem is, that I can't find a way how to contradict $P(c)$. My first idea was, to proof $forall x ; P(x)$ in the subproof in order to get a contradiction.



As you can see, this is only the first part of the proof. I know that I will have to use a Biconditional introduction in the end. I only need help for the first subproof.



Would be great if anyone could give me some hints.










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    Welcome to math stackexchange. I have tidied up your question -- we like it when titles are very specific! I hope you find the answers helpful.
    $endgroup$
    – 6005
    Jan 5 at 13:02










  • $begingroup$
    Thank you very much. I will do better next time ;).
    $endgroup$
    – Jenew
    Jan 5 at 13:10














1












1








1





$begingroup$


I have got a Problem with the following fitch proof excercise:




$quad;; |$



$triangleright quad | quad ?. quad (lnot forall x ; P(x)) leftrightarrow (exists x lnot P(x))$




This is how far I got: (Notice: I started from the bottom to the top!)



enter image description here



My problem is, that I can't find a way how to contradict $P(c)$. My first idea was, to proof $forall x ; P(x)$ in the subproof in order to get a contradiction.



As you can see, this is only the first part of the proof. I know that I will have to use a Biconditional introduction in the end. I only need help for the first subproof.



Would be great if anyone could give me some hints.










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$




I have got a Problem with the following fitch proof excercise:




$quad;; |$



$triangleright quad | quad ?. quad (lnot forall x ; P(x)) leftrightarrow (exists x lnot P(x))$




This is how far I got: (Notice: I started from the bottom to the top!)



enter image description here



My problem is, that I can't find a way how to contradict $P(c)$. My first idea was, to proof $forall x ; P(x)$ in the subproof in order to get a contradiction.



As you can see, this is only the first part of the proof. I know that I will have to use a Biconditional introduction in the end. I only need help for the first subproof.



Would be great if anyone could give me some hints.







logic first-order-logic predicate-logic






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edited Feb 18 at 14:32









Mauro ALLEGRANZA

66.9k449115




66.9k449115










asked Jan 5 at 12:17









JenewJenew

112




112












  • $begingroup$
    Welcome to math stackexchange. I have tidied up your question -- we like it when titles are very specific! I hope you find the answers helpful.
    $endgroup$
    – 6005
    Jan 5 at 13:02










  • $begingroup$
    Thank you very much. I will do better next time ;).
    $endgroup$
    – Jenew
    Jan 5 at 13:10


















  • $begingroup$
    Welcome to math stackexchange. I have tidied up your question -- we like it when titles are very specific! I hope you find the answers helpful.
    $endgroup$
    – 6005
    Jan 5 at 13:02










  • $begingroup$
    Thank you very much. I will do better next time ;).
    $endgroup$
    – Jenew
    Jan 5 at 13:10
















$begingroup$
Welcome to math stackexchange. I have tidied up your question -- we like it when titles are very specific! I hope you find the answers helpful.
$endgroup$
– 6005
Jan 5 at 13:02




$begingroup$
Welcome to math stackexchange. I have tidied up your question -- we like it when titles are very specific! I hope you find the answers helpful.
$endgroup$
– 6005
Jan 5 at 13:02












$begingroup$
Thank you very much. I will do better next time ;).
$endgroup$
– Jenew
Jan 5 at 13:10




$begingroup$
Thank you very much. I will do better next time ;).
$endgroup$
– Jenew
Jan 5 at 13:10










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















2












$begingroup$

It looks to me like you are trying to show that $lnot P(c)$ as a lemma, where you have made no assumptions about $c$. If that were provable, then it would follow that $forall x ( lnot P(x))$. But that's too strong -- you only want to show that $exists x (lnot P(x))$. (Convince yourself that $forall x ( lnot P(x))$ is not necessarily implied by $lnot (forall x ( P(x))$, perhaps by thinking of an example set of $x$s and predicate $P$.)



So your dilemma is that you need to get the correct $c$ somehow, in order to prove that $exists x (lnot P(x))$; but you only know that $lnot forall x. P(x)$, and there's no way to get a $c$ directly from that statement.



In a situation where you get stuck it's good to try proof by contradiction. So, instead of proving $exists x (lnot P(x))$ (we have no idea how to get $c$ to make this true), try proving
$$
lnot lnot (exists x ( lnot P(x))),
$$

by assuming $lnot exists x ( lnot P(x)))$ and getting a contradiction.
The proof structure will look like this:




1. $lnot ( forall x ( P(x)))$




  1. $lnot exists x ( lnot P(x))$


  2. ...[fill in here]...


  3. $bot$



5. $lnot lnot exists x (lnot P(x))$



6. $exists x (lnot P(x))$ (double negation elimination from 5)




But you have to fill in the details for step 3. ... above.
To do this, show as another lemma there that $forall x (P(x))$. Proving this lemma will just rely on premise $2$, but may require some more nested reasoning$^1$. Then this lemma will get a contradiction with your original assumption $1$.



$^1$ To prove $forall x ( P(x))$ we want to start from no assumptions and get $P(a)$. To do this, assume $lnot P(a)$ and derive a contradiction, thus showing $lnot lnot P(a)$, then double negation to $P(a)$.






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Thanks for this answer! I managed to find the solution. My fitch program tells me its correct. It was actually way more complex than I thougth.
    $endgroup$
    – Jenew
    Jan 5 at 16:22










  • $begingroup$
    @Jenew Yes, this was a messy one. Sometimes you just end up with tons of sub-proofs by contradiction followed by double-negation elimination.
    $endgroup$
    – 6005
    Jan 5 at 16:40



















1












$begingroup$

Hint



You have to start assuming $lnot Pc$ and $lnot exists x lnot Px$ and find a first contradiction.



Then use Double Negation to derive $Pc$ and from it $forall x Px$ and a new contradiction.



Then, conclude by Double Negation again.






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Right. Although it does not address possible issues with the poster's attempted solution.
    $endgroup$
    – 6005
    Jan 5 at 12:56











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2 Answers
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2 Answers
2






active

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2












$begingroup$

It looks to me like you are trying to show that $lnot P(c)$ as a lemma, where you have made no assumptions about $c$. If that were provable, then it would follow that $forall x ( lnot P(x))$. But that's too strong -- you only want to show that $exists x (lnot P(x))$. (Convince yourself that $forall x ( lnot P(x))$ is not necessarily implied by $lnot (forall x ( P(x))$, perhaps by thinking of an example set of $x$s and predicate $P$.)



So your dilemma is that you need to get the correct $c$ somehow, in order to prove that $exists x (lnot P(x))$; but you only know that $lnot forall x. P(x)$, and there's no way to get a $c$ directly from that statement.



In a situation where you get stuck it's good to try proof by contradiction. So, instead of proving $exists x (lnot P(x))$ (we have no idea how to get $c$ to make this true), try proving
$$
lnot lnot (exists x ( lnot P(x))),
$$

by assuming $lnot exists x ( lnot P(x)))$ and getting a contradiction.
The proof structure will look like this:




1. $lnot ( forall x ( P(x)))$




  1. $lnot exists x ( lnot P(x))$


  2. ...[fill in here]...


  3. $bot$



5. $lnot lnot exists x (lnot P(x))$



6. $exists x (lnot P(x))$ (double negation elimination from 5)




But you have to fill in the details for step 3. ... above.
To do this, show as another lemma there that $forall x (P(x))$. Proving this lemma will just rely on premise $2$, but may require some more nested reasoning$^1$. Then this lemma will get a contradiction with your original assumption $1$.



$^1$ To prove $forall x ( P(x))$ we want to start from no assumptions and get $P(a)$. To do this, assume $lnot P(a)$ and derive a contradiction, thus showing $lnot lnot P(a)$, then double negation to $P(a)$.






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Thanks for this answer! I managed to find the solution. My fitch program tells me its correct. It was actually way more complex than I thougth.
    $endgroup$
    – Jenew
    Jan 5 at 16:22










  • $begingroup$
    @Jenew Yes, this was a messy one. Sometimes you just end up with tons of sub-proofs by contradiction followed by double-negation elimination.
    $endgroup$
    – 6005
    Jan 5 at 16:40
















2












$begingroup$

It looks to me like you are trying to show that $lnot P(c)$ as a lemma, where you have made no assumptions about $c$. If that were provable, then it would follow that $forall x ( lnot P(x))$. But that's too strong -- you only want to show that $exists x (lnot P(x))$. (Convince yourself that $forall x ( lnot P(x))$ is not necessarily implied by $lnot (forall x ( P(x))$, perhaps by thinking of an example set of $x$s and predicate $P$.)



So your dilemma is that you need to get the correct $c$ somehow, in order to prove that $exists x (lnot P(x))$; but you only know that $lnot forall x. P(x)$, and there's no way to get a $c$ directly from that statement.



In a situation where you get stuck it's good to try proof by contradiction. So, instead of proving $exists x (lnot P(x))$ (we have no idea how to get $c$ to make this true), try proving
$$
lnot lnot (exists x ( lnot P(x))),
$$

by assuming $lnot exists x ( lnot P(x)))$ and getting a contradiction.
The proof structure will look like this:




1. $lnot ( forall x ( P(x)))$




  1. $lnot exists x ( lnot P(x))$


  2. ...[fill in here]...


  3. $bot$



5. $lnot lnot exists x (lnot P(x))$



6. $exists x (lnot P(x))$ (double negation elimination from 5)




But you have to fill in the details for step 3. ... above.
To do this, show as another lemma there that $forall x (P(x))$. Proving this lemma will just rely on premise $2$, but may require some more nested reasoning$^1$. Then this lemma will get a contradiction with your original assumption $1$.



$^1$ To prove $forall x ( P(x))$ we want to start from no assumptions and get $P(a)$. To do this, assume $lnot P(a)$ and derive a contradiction, thus showing $lnot lnot P(a)$, then double negation to $P(a)$.






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Thanks for this answer! I managed to find the solution. My fitch program tells me its correct. It was actually way more complex than I thougth.
    $endgroup$
    – Jenew
    Jan 5 at 16:22










  • $begingroup$
    @Jenew Yes, this was a messy one. Sometimes you just end up with tons of sub-proofs by contradiction followed by double-negation elimination.
    $endgroup$
    – 6005
    Jan 5 at 16:40














2












2








2





$begingroup$

It looks to me like you are trying to show that $lnot P(c)$ as a lemma, where you have made no assumptions about $c$. If that were provable, then it would follow that $forall x ( lnot P(x))$. But that's too strong -- you only want to show that $exists x (lnot P(x))$. (Convince yourself that $forall x ( lnot P(x))$ is not necessarily implied by $lnot (forall x ( P(x))$, perhaps by thinking of an example set of $x$s and predicate $P$.)



So your dilemma is that you need to get the correct $c$ somehow, in order to prove that $exists x (lnot P(x))$; but you only know that $lnot forall x. P(x)$, and there's no way to get a $c$ directly from that statement.



In a situation where you get stuck it's good to try proof by contradiction. So, instead of proving $exists x (lnot P(x))$ (we have no idea how to get $c$ to make this true), try proving
$$
lnot lnot (exists x ( lnot P(x))),
$$

by assuming $lnot exists x ( lnot P(x)))$ and getting a contradiction.
The proof structure will look like this:




1. $lnot ( forall x ( P(x)))$




  1. $lnot exists x ( lnot P(x))$


  2. ...[fill in here]...


  3. $bot$



5. $lnot lnot exists x (lnot P(x))$



6. $exists x (lnot P(x))$ (double negation elimination from 5)




But you have to fill in the details for step 3. ... above.
To do this, show as another lemma there that $forall x (P(x))$. Proving this lemma will just rely on premise $2$, but may require some more nested reasoning$^1$. Then this lemma will get a contradiction with your original assumption $1$.



$^1$ To prove $forall x ( P(x))$ we want to start from no assumptions and get $P(a)$. To do this, assume $lnot P(a)$ and derive a contradiction, thus showing $lnot lnot P(a)$, then double negation to $P(a)$.






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$



It looks to me like you are trying to show that $lnot P(c)$ as a lemma, where you have made no assumptions about $c$. If that were provable, then it would follow that $forall x ( lnot P(x))$. But that's too strong -- you only want to show that $exists x (lnot P(x))$. (Convince yourself that $forall x ( lnot P(x))$ is not necessarily implied by $lnot (forall x ( P(x))$, perhaps by thinking of an example set of $x$s and predicate $P$.)



So your dilemma is that you need to get the correct $c$ somehow, in order to prove that $exists x (lnot P(x))$; but you only know that $lnot forall x. P(x)$, and there's no way to get a $c$ directly from that statement.



In a situation where you get stuck it's good to try proof by contradiction. So, instead of proving $exists x (lnot P(x))$ (we have no idea how to get $c$ to make this true), try proving
$$
lnot lnot (exists x ( lnot P(x))),
$$

by assuming $lnot exists x ( lnot P(x)))$ and getting a contradiction.
The proof structure will look like this:




1. $lnot ( forall x ( P(x)))$




  1. $lnot exists x ( lnot P(x))$


  2. ...[fill in here]...


  3. $bot$



5. $lnot lnot exists x (lnot P(x))$



6. $exists x (lnot P(x))$ (double negation elimination from 5)




But you have to fill in the details for step 3. ... above.
To do this, show as another lemma there that $forall x (P(x))$. Proving this lemma will just rely on premise $2$, but may require some more nested reasoning$^1$. Then this lemma will get a contradiction with your original assumption $1$.



$^1$ To prove $forall x ( P(x))$ we want to start from no assumptions and get $P(a)$. To do this, assume $lnot P(a)$ and derive a contradiction, thus showing $lnot lnot P(a)$, then double negation to $P(a)$.







share|cite|improve this answer












share|cite|improve this answer



share|cite|improve this answer










answered Jan 5 at 12:51









60056005

36.3k751125




36.3k751125








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Thanks for this answer! I managed to find the solution. My fitch program tells me its correct. It was actually way more complex than I thougth.
    $endgroup$
    – Jenew
    Jan 5 at 16:22










  • $begingroup$
    @Jenew Yes, this was a messy one. Sometimes you just end up with tons of sub-proofs by contradiction followed by double-negation elimination.
    $endgroup$
    – 6005
    Jan 5 at 16:40














  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Thanks for this answer! I managed to find the solution. My fitch program tells me its correct. It was actually way more complex than I thougth.
    $endgroup$
    – Jenew
    Jan 5 at 16:22










  • $begingroup$
    @Jenew Yes, this was a messy one. Sometimes you just end up with tons of sub-proofs by contradiction followed by double-negation elimination.
    $endgroup$
    – 6005
    Jan 5 at 16:40








1




1




$begingroup$
Thanks for this answer! I managed to find the solution. My fitch program tells me its correct. It was actually way more complex than I thougth.
$endgroup$
– Jenew
Jan 5 at 16:22




$begingroup$
Thanks for this answer! I managed to find the solution. My fitch program tells me its correct. It was actually way more complex than I thougth.
$endgroup$
– Jenew
Jan 5 at 16:22












$begingroup$
@Jenew Yes, this was a messy one. Sometimes you just end up with tons of sub-proofs by contradiction followed by double-negation elimination.
$endgroup$
– 6005
Jan 5 at 16:40




$begingroup$
@Jenew Yes, this was a messy one. Sometimes you just end up with tons of sub-proofs by contradiction followed by double-negation elimination.
$endgroup$
– 6005
Jan 5 at 16:40











1












$begingroup$

Hint



You have to start assuming $lnot Pc$ and $lnot exists x lnot Px$ and find a first contradiction.



Then use Double Negation to derive $Pc$ and from it $forall x Px$ and a new contradiction.



Then, conclude by Double Negation again.






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Right. Although it does not address possible issues with the poster's attempted solution.
    $endgroup$
    – 6005
    Jan 5 at 12:56
















1












$begingroup$

Hint



You have to start assuming $lnot Pc$ and $lnot exists x lnot Px$ and find a first contradiction.



Then use Double Negation to derive $Pc$ and from it $forall x Px$ and a new contradiction.



Then, conclude by Double Negation again.






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Right. Although it does not address possible issues with the poster's attempted solution.
    $endgroup$
    – 6005
    Jan 5 at 12:56














1












1








1





$begingroup$

Hint



You have to start assuming $lnot Pc$ and $lnot exists x lnot Px$ and find a first contradiction.



Then use Double Negation to derive $Pc$ and from it $forall x Px$ and a new contradiction.



Then, conclude by Double Negation again.






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$



Hint



You have to start assuming $lnot Pc$ and $lnot exists x lnot Px$ and find a first contradiction.



Then use Double Negation to derive $Pc$ and from it $forall x Px$ and a new contradiction.



Then, conclude by Double Negation again.







share|cite|improve this answer














share|cite|improve this answer



share|cite|improve this answer








edited Jan 5 at 13:04

























answered Jan 5 at 12:29









Mauro ALLEGRANZAMauro ALLEGRANZA

66.9k449115




66.9k449115












  • $begingroup$
    Right. Although it does not address possible issues with the poster's attempted solution.
    $endgroup$
    – 6005
    Jan 5 at 12:56


















  • $begingroup$
    Right. Although it does not address possible issues with the poster's attempted solution.
    $endgroup$
    – 6005
    Jan 5 at 12:56
















$begingroup$
Right. Although it does not address possible issues with the poster's attempted solution.
$endgroup$
– 6005
Jan 5 at 12:56




$begingroup$
Right. Although it does not address possible issues with the poster's attempted solution.
$endgroup$
– 6005
Jan 5 at 12:56


















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