M HYPE SPLASH
// updates

Negation of a quantified statement

By Andrew Adams
$\begingroup$

I would like to negate the following:

$\exists x, \forall y, \forall z ((F(x,y) \land G(x,z)) \rightarrow H(y,z))$

Would the following proposed solution be correct?

(1) First simplify what is in the brackets - $((F(x,y) \land G(x,z)) \rightarrow H(y,z))$

$(\lnot(F(x,y) \land G(x,z)) \lor H(y,z))$

(2) $\forall x, \exists y, \exists z \lnot ( \lnot(F(x,y) \land G(x,z)) \lor H(y,z)) $

$\equiv \forall x, \exists y, \exists z((F(x,y) \land G(x,z)) \land \lnot H(y,z))$

$\endgroup$ 2

1 Answer

$\begingroup$

The negation of $P \Rightarrow Q$ is $$\neg(P \Rightarrow Q) \equiv (P \wedge \neg Q)$$ and the negation of "for all" is $$\neg (\forall x)(P(x)) \equiv (\exists x)(\neg P(x)).$$ Similarly, $$\neg (\exists x)(P(x)) \equiv (\forall x)(\neg P(x))$$ so your answer is correct.

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Sign up using Google Sign up using Facebook Sign up using Email and Password

Post as a guest

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy