Discrete Structures

HW #4

Last Update: 4 February 2009

Note: NEW or UPDATED material is highlighted



Reminder: Each HW problem solution should consist of:

REMINDER:
  • NAME, DATE, RECITATION SECTION AT TOP RIGHT OF EACH PAGE;
  • STAPLE MULTIPLE PAGES


All exercises are from §1.4 (nested quantifiers) and §1.5 (rules of inference).


  1. p. 59: #10 a, b, c, d, e


  2. p. 60: #14 a, b, e

    Suggestion: #60e is ambiguous; interpret it to mean that the student has taken all the courses that are offered by a single department.


  3. p. 60: #20 a, b


  4. Below are 5 short arguments in English.

    1. If Australia is a continent, then it is also an island. If it is an island, then it is completely surrounded by water. Therefore, If Australia is a continent, then it is completely surrounded by water.

    2. Either New Zealand is a continent or Australia is a continent. New Zealand is not a continent. Therefore, Australia is a continent.

    3. Australia is an island and a continent. Therefore, it is a continent.

    4. Europe is an island and a continent. If Europe is an island and a continent, then so is Australia. Therefore, Australia is an island and a continent.

    5. Australia is an island. Therefore, either Australia is an island, or I'm a monkey's uncle.


  5. Which, if any, of these arguments are valid? Why?

    1. 2+2=5
      (2+2=5) → (2 is an odd integer)
      Therefore, 2 is an odd integer.

    2. If this is margarine, then I'm a monkey's uncle.
      I am a monkey's uncle.
      Therefore, this is margarine.


Grand total = 51 points.

Tentative grading scheme:

A       49 - 51
A-      46 - 48
B+      44 - 45
B       41 - 43
B-      38 - 40
C+      35 - 37
C       29 - 34
C-      24 - 28
D+      18 - 23
D       10 - 17
F        0 -  9


DUE: AT THE BEGINNING OF LECTURE, FRIDAY!, FEBRUARY 13



Copyright © 2009 by William J. Rapaport (rapaport@cse.buffalo.edu)
http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/191/S09/hw04.html-20090202-3