Question:medium

The statement pattern $[(p \rightarrow q)\land \sim q] \rightarrow r$ is a tautology when $r$ is equivalent to

Show Hint

Simplify logical expression before comparing.
Updated On: May 14, 2026
  • $\text{p}\land \sim \text{q}$
  • $q \lor p$
  • $p \land q$
  • $\sim q$
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
A statement pattern is a tautology if it is always true ($T$) regardless of the truth values assigned to its constituent variables. To solve this, we should first simplify the premise (antecedent) of the implication. Then, we determine what the consequent ($r$) must be to ensure the entire implication never evaluates to false ($F$). Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
1. Implication Equivalence: $A \rightarrow B \equiv \sim A \lor B$. 2. De Morgan's Laws and Distributive Laws. 3. An implication $A \rightarrow B$ is a tautology if $A$ logically implies $B$, meaning whenever $A$ is True, $B$ must also be True. Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let's simplify the antecedent part of the given expression: $A \equiv (p \rightarrow q) \land \sim q$. Using the equivalence $p \rightarrow q \equiv \sim p \lor q$, substitute into $A$: \[ A \equiv (\sim p \lor q) \land \sim q \] Apply the distributive law: \[ A \equiv (\sim p \land \sim q) \lor (q \land \sim q) \] Since $(q \land \sim q)$ is a logical contradiction (always $F$): \[ A \equiv (\sim p \land \sim q) \lor F \] \[ A \equiv \sim p \land \sim q \] So, the entire statement pattern becomes: \[ (\sim p \land \sim q) \rightarrow r \] For an implication $A \rightarrow r$ to be a tautology, it must be True in all cases. The only way an implication can be False is if the antecedent ($A$) is True and the consequent ($r$) is False. Therefore, to prevent it from ever being False, whenever $A$ is True, $r$ must also be True. The antecedent $\sim p \land \sim q$ is True only in one specific case: when both $p$ is False and $q$ is False. So, when $p = F$ and $q = F$, we absolutely must have $r$ evaluate to True. Let's check the given options under the condition $p = F, q = F$: (A) $p \land \sim q = F \land T = F$ (Fails) (B) $q \lor p = F \lor F = F$ (Fails) (C) $p \land q = F \land F = F$ (Fails) (D) $\sim q = \sim F = T$ (Works!) Since option D is the only one that evaluates to True when the antecedent is True, it guarantees the implication is a tautology. Let's verify analytically. If $r \equiv \sim q$: \[ (\sim p \land \sim q) \rightarrow \sim q \] Rewrite using $\sim A \lor B$: \[ \sim(\sim p \land \sim q) \lor \sim q \] Apply De Morgan's law: \[ (p \lor q) \lor \sim q \] Associativity: \[ p \lor (q \lor \sim q) \] Since $q \lor \sim q \equiv T$: \[ p \lor T \equiv T \] It is indeed a tautology. Step 4: Final Answer:
The pattern is a tautology when $r$ is equivalent to $\sim q$.
Was this answer helpful?
0