What is a Proposition?
A statement that can be true of false.
Examples:
- sqrt(2) is irrational.
- 1+1=5
- The tiger will become extinct before the Gorilla on the planet Earth.
- Socrates was left handed.
Main Points:
- Difficulty of establishing the actual (realworld) truth value is unimportant
- Some values can be immediately computed as T or F #1 or #2, others may take many years #3 or we may never know #4.
Non-Proposition Examples:
- Can you please pass me the Ketchup?
- x^2 = 49
- This sentence is false.
Main Points:
- Interrogative statements are neither T nor F.
- #2 may be T or F depending on the value assigned to x.
- Neither T nor F - a paradox.
Atomic Propositions - do not contain any other propositions - ex: It is raining.
Compound Propositions - are formed by combining logical connectives with atomic (simple) propositions - ex: I am drinking coffee and its raining outside.