Argument
An argument is a statement which assets that a given set of n compound statements p1,p2,..........pn yield another compound statement Q.This is denoted by
where p1,p2,..........pn are called hypotheses or premises or assumptions.
The compound statement Q is called the conclusion.
The argument p1, p2,...., pn
Q is defined to be true if Q is true whenever p1,p2,..........pn are all true.
Otherwise, the argument is defined to be false.
A true argument is also called a valid argument.Useful steps for solving problems:
Step i:
Identify the component statements in the given argument and denote these as p, q, r,……
Step ii:
Identify the assumptions and denote these as p1,p2,p3....
Step iii:
Identify the conclusion as Q.
Step iv:
Express p1,p2,p3...., Q in terms of p, q, r,……
Step v:
Find the truth values of p1,p2,p3...., Q
Step vi:
If Q is true whenever p1,p2,p3.... are all true, then the argument p1, p2,...
Q is valid, otherwise it is invalid.
