Expert: Paul Klarreich - 10/8/2011

Question
Hi,

I need help to answer this question, I am taking mathematics discrete in my distance learning course. i cant contact my professor, so i hope you can help me explain this question.
i was told to simplify the following proposition:

(PvQ)^(-PvQ)^(Pv-Q)^(-Pv-Q)


Here's what I came up with after doing it with truth table, I got the same answer as (-Pv-Q), but I dont know how to find it with simplification.

Thanks

Answer
Something is wrong with your expression -- perhaps you have not parenthesized it correctly.
I worked it out using the distributive property (look that up) and also using a TT.

Both lead to the same result.  The expression simplifies to F.  (i.e. it is ALWAYS FALSE.)

A truth table will verify this.

Look it over and check it out.
.................................

Questioner:Kenji
Country:Jawa Barat, Indonesia
Category:Advanced Math
Private:No
Subject:Proposition
Question:

Hi,

I need help to answer this question, I am taking mathematics discrete in my distance learning course. i cant contact my professor, so i hope you can help me explain this question.
i was told to simplify the following proposition:

(PvQ)^(-PvQ)^(Pv-Q)^(-Pv-Q)


Here's what I came up with after doing it with truth table, I got the same answer as (-Pv-Q), but I dont know how to find it with simplification.

Thanks