Consider the first-order logic sentence \(F:\forall x(\exists yR(x,y))\).…

2017

Consider the first-order logic sentence \(F:\forall x(\exists yR(x,y))\). Assuming non-empty logical domains, which of the sentences below are implied by \(F\) ?

I.    \(\exists y(\exists xR(x,y))\)

II    \(\exists y(\forall xR(x,y))\)

III.    \(\forall y(\exists xR(x,y))\)

IV.    \(¬\exists x(\forall y¬R(x,y))\)

Answer: B. I and IV onlyKey insight: the premise is ∀x ∃y R(x,y). Why ∃y(∃x R(x,y)) is implied: because the domain is non-empty, pick any element a. From ∀x ∃y R(x,y) we have ∃y…

  1. A.

    IV only

  2. B.

    I and IV only

  3. C.

    II only

  4. D.

    II and III only

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Correct answer: B

Key insight: the premise is ∀x ∃y R(x,y).

  • Why ∃y(∃x R(x,y)) is implied: because the domain is non-empty, pick any element a. From ∀x ∃y R(x,y) we have ∃y R(a,y), so there exists at least one pair (x,y) with R(x,y). Existential quantifiers can be reordered, so ∃y(∃x R(x,y)) holds.

  • Why ¬∃x(∀y ¬R(x,y)) is implied: this sentence is logically equivalent to ∀x ∃y R(x,y). Indeed, ¬∃x(∀y ¬R(x,y)) ⇔ ∀x ¬(∀y ¬R(x,y)) ⇔ ∀x ∃y R(x,y). So it follows directly.

  • Why the other two are not implied: neither requires exactly what the premise gives. ∃y(∀x R(x,y)) demands one y that works for all x, and ∀y(∃x R(x,y)) demands every y has some x mapping to it. Both can fail while ∀x ∃y R(x,y) holds (e.g., different x's may require different y's, or all x's may map to a single y leaving some y without preimage).

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