The equivalence of \(¬ ∃ x \ Q (x)\) is :
2018
The equivalence of
\(¬ ∃ x \ Q (x)\) is :
- A.
\(∃ x \ ¬ Q (x)\) - B.
\(\forall \: x \: \neg \: Q \: (x)\) - C.
\(¬ ∃ x \ ¬ Q (x)\) - D.
\(\forall \: x \: Q \: (x)\)
Attempted by 382 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Answer: ¬∃x Q(x) is equivalent to ∀x ¬Q(x).
Reasoning:
If ¬∃x Q(x) holds, then there is no x for which Q(x) is true. Therefore, for every x, Q(x) is false, i.e. ∀x ¬Q(x).
Conversely, if ∀x ¬Q(x) holds, then there is no x that satisfies Q(x), so ¬∃x Q(x) holds.
This is the quantifier version of De Morgan's laws: ¬∃x P(x) ≡ ∀x ¬P(x) (and similarly ¬∀x P(x) ≡ ∃x ¬P(x)).
A video solution is available for this question — log in and enroll to watch it.