Analyzing the Setup
We are tasked with finding the truth values of p, q, and r given that the Boolean expression ((p∨q)∧(q→r)∧(∼r))→(p∧q) has a truth value of False.
Logic is not about memorizing tables; it is about systematic detective work. We must dismantle the expression step-by-step to uncover the underlying values.
The Master Key
The entire expression is an implication of the form A→B. In formal logic, an implication is only False when the antecedent A is True and the consequent B is False.
This provides us with two critical conditions:
1. The antecedent A=(p∨q)∧(q→r)∧(∼r) must be True.
2. The consequent B=(p∧q) must be False.
The Antecedent Decomposition
Since the antecedent A is a conjunction of three blocks joined by the ∧ (AND) operator, every single link in the chain must be True for the entire expression to be True.
This yields three micro-equations:
1. (p∨q)=T
2. (q→r)=T
3. (∼r)=T
The Domino Effect
We begin with the simplest piece: (∼r)=T. If the negation of r is True, then r itself must be False (F).
Next, we substitute r=F into the second block: (q→F)=T. For an implication to be True when the consequent is False, the antecedent q must also be False (F).
Finally, we address the first block: (p∨q)=T. Substituting q=F, we get (p∨F)=T. In an OR operation, if one input is False, the other must be True for the result to be True. Therefore, p must be True (T).
Final Verification
We have deduced the values p=T, q=F, and r=F. We must now verify these against our second condition: (p∧q)=F.
Substituting our values, we get:
(T∧F)=F
The condition holds perfectly. The final truth values are p=T, q=F, and r=F.