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Logical equivalence

Logical equivalence is a mathematics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Logical equivalence rather than just read about it. In short: In logic and mathematics, statements p {\displaystyle p} and q {\displaystyle q} are said to be logically equivalent if they have the same truth value in every model. The logical equivalence of p {\displaystyle p} and q {\displaystyle q} is sometimes expressed as p ≡ q {\displaystyle p\equiv q} , p :: q {\displaystyle p::q} , E p q {\displaystyle {\textsf {E}}pq} , or p ⟺ q {\displaystyle p\iff q} , depending on the…

Key takeaways

  • Logical equivalence belongs to mathematics; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Logical equivalence to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Logical equivalence from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In logic and mathematics, statements p {\displaystyle p} and q {\displaystyle q} are said to be logically equivalent if they have the same truth value in every model. The logical equivalence of p {\displaystyle p} and q {\displaystyle q} is sometimes expressed as p ≡ q {\displaystyle p\equiv q} , p :: q {\displaystyle p::q} , E p q {\displaystyle {\textsf {E}}pq} , or p ⟺ q {\displaystyle p\iff q} , depending on the notation being used. However, these symbols are also used for material equivalence, so proper interpretation would depend on the context. Logical equivalence is different from material equivalence, although the two concepts are intrinsically related.

Logical equivalences In logic, many common logical equivalences exist and are often listed as laws or properties. The following tables illustrate some of these.

General logical equivalences

Logical equivalences involving conditional statements

p → q ≡ ¬ p ∨ q {\displaystyle p\rightarrow q\equiv \neg p\vee q}

p → q ≡ ¬ q → ¬ p {\displaystyle p\rightarrow q\equiv \neg q\rightarrow \neg p}

p ∨ q ≡ ¬ p → q {\displaystyle p\vee q\equiv \neg p\rightarrow q}

p ∧ q ≡ ¬ ( p → ¬ q ) {\displaystyle p\wedge q\equiv \neg (p\rightarrow \neg q)}

¬ ( p → q ) ≡ p ∧ ¬ q {\displaystyle \neg (p\rightarrow q)\equiv p\wedge \neg q}

( p → q ) ∧ ( p → r ) ≡ p → ( q ∧ r ) {\displaystyle (p\rightarrow q)\wedge (p\rightarrow r)\equiv p\rightarrow (q\wedge r)}

( p → q ) ∨ ( p → r ) ≡ p → ( q ∨ r ) {\displaystyle (p\rightarrow q)\vee (p\rightarrow r)\equiv p\rightarrow (q\vee r)}

( p → r ) ∧ ( q → r ) ≡ ( p ∨ q ) → r {\displaystyle (p\rightarrow r)\wedge (q\rightarrow r)\equiv (p\vee q)\rightarrow r}

( p → r ) ∨ ( q → r ) ≡ ( p ∧ q ) → r {\displaystyle (p\rightarrow r)\vee (q\rightarrow r)\equiv (p\wedge q)\rightarrow r}

Logical equivalences involving biconditionals

p ↔ q ≡ ( p → q ) ∧ ( q → p ) {\displaystyle p\leftrightarrow q\equiv (p\rightarrow q)\wedge (q\rightarrow p)}

p ↔ q ≡ ¬ p ↔ ¬ q {\displaystyle p\leftrightarrow q\equiv \neg p\leftrightarrow \neg q}

p ↔ q ≡ ( p ∧ q ) ∨ ( ¬ p ∧ ¬ q ) {\displaystyle p\leftrightarrow q\equiv (p\wedge q)\vee (\neg p\wedge \neg q)}

¬ ( p ↔ q ) ≡ ¬ p ↔ q {\displaystyle \neg (p\leftrightarrow q)\equiv \neg p\leftrightarrow q}

¬ ( p ↔ q ) ≡ p ↔ ¬ q {\displaystyle \neg (p\leftrightarrow q)\equiv p\leftrightarrow \neg q}

¬ ( p ↔ q ) ≡ p ⊕ q {\displaystyle \neg (p\leftrightarrow q)\equiv p\oplus q}

Where ⊕ {\displaystyle \oplus } represents XOR.

Examples

In logic The following statements are logically equivalent:

If Lisa is in Denmark, then she is in Europe (a statement of the form d → e {\displaystyle d\rightarrow e} ). If Lisa is not in Europe, then she is not in Denmark (a statement of the form ¬ e → ¬ d {\displaystyle \neg e\rightarrow \neg d} ). Syntactically, (1) and (2) are derivable from each other via the rules of contraposition and double negation. Semantically, (1) and (2) are true in exactly the same models (interpretations, valuations); namely, those in which either Lisa is in Denmark is false or Lisa is in Europe is true. (Note that in this example, classical logic is assumed. Some non-classical logics do not deem (1) and (2) to be logically equivalent.)

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Logical equivalence

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Logical equivalence claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In mathematics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Logical equivalence before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Logical equivalence ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Logical equivalence

In research
Logical equivalence appears in mathematics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Logical equivalence in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Logical equivalence is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Equivalence (mathematics), Logical consequence, Mathematical logic, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Logical equivalence outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Logical equivalence in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Logical equivalence means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Logical equivalence out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Logical equivalence in simple terms?

In logic and mathematics, statements p {\displaystyle p} and q {\displaystyle q} are said to be logically equivalent if they have the same truth value in every model. The logical equivalence of p {\displaystyle p} and q {\displaystyle q} is sometimes expressed as p ≡ q {\displaystyle p\equiv q} , p…

Why does Logical equivalence matter?

Because it connects several mathematics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Logical equivalence?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Logical equivalence.

Tags

  • Equivalence (mathematics)
  • Logical consequence
  • Mathematical logic
  • Metalogic

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