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Truth table of ~(p -> q)

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Truth tables · Discrete Math

Step by step

The question

Question: make the truth table of ¬(p → q).

¬(p → q)

1 Rows for p and q

Each letter can be true or false.

Two letters give 2 × 2 = 4 rows: every way they can go.

= two letters: 2 × 2 = 4 rows

We make a table: a column for each letter, then a column for each part, from the inside out.

We write T for true and F for false.

T = true, F = false

p: the first half T, the second half F.

This way no row is missed.

q: T, F, T, F, down the column.

2 Column for p → q

We read the arrow as if, then.

→ = if ..., then ...

p → q is a promise: if p, then q.

It is broken only when p is true and q is false.

p → q: F only when p is T and q is F

So it is F only in row 2.

3 Column for ¬(p → q)

We read this sign as not.

¬ = not

¬(p → q) is the opposite of p → q: T becomes F, F becomes T.

¬(p → q): the opposite of (p → q)

So it is T only in row 2.

Careful!

If the if-part is false, the promise is not broken.

So F → F is T, and so is F → T.

Careful: not F → F = F ✗

The last column is the answer: when ¬(p → q) is true.

Top to bottom: F, T, F, F.

= ¬(p → q): F, T, F, F

4 Check

Let's check row 1 by hand.

In row 1, p is true and q is true.

row 1: p = T, q = T

Put them in: ¬(T → T).

The inside first.

It gives F, as in the table.

Right!

¬(T → T) = ¬T = F

Let's look back.

First: rows for p and q.

Then: column for p → q.

Then: column for ¬(p → q).

Last: check.

Answer
= ¬(p → q): F, T, F, F

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Make the truth table of ¬(p ↔ q)
Show the answer
¬(p ↔ q): F, T, T, F

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