Which of the following propositions is a tautology?

1997

Which of the following propositions is a tautology?

  1. A.

    (p ∨ q) → p

  2. B.

    p ∨ (q → p)

  3. C.

    p ∨ (p → q)

  4. D.

    p → (p → q)

Attempted by 23 students.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

A tautology is a logical expression that is always True, no matter what truth values you give to p and q.

Let's test the correct expression from Option C: p OR (p -> q):

  • An implication p -> q is automatically True whenever its starting variable (p) is False.

  • Therefore, if p is False, the right side (p -> q) becomes True -> the whole statement is True.

  • If p is True, the left side of the OR condition is True -> the whole statement is True.

Since it results in True under every single condition, it is a tautology.

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