Analyzing the Setup
Welcome, future engineers! Today, we are going to face a problem that looks like a tangled mess of symbols. You might see [∼(∼p∨q)∨(p∧r)]∧(∼q∧r) and feel a sudden urge to skip it.
But I want you to take a deep breath. In the world of JEE Advanced, intimidation is the first trap. Our goal is to dismantle this 'monster' piece by piece, using the elegant tools of mathematical logic.
Phase 1
The De Morgan's Surgery
Let us start by focusing on the most complex-looking part: ∼(∼p∨q). This is a classic setup for De Morgan's Law.
Remember, when you distribute a negation inside a bracket, the OR operator flips to an AND, and the individual terms are negated. So, the negation of ∼p becomes p, the OR becomes an AND, and the negation of q becomes ∼q.
Just like that, the term transforms into p∧∼q. It is clean, it is simple, and it is the first step toward victory.
Phase 2
The Distributive Dance
Now, let us substitute this back into our expression. Our Part A now looks like [(p∧∼q)∨(p∧r)].
Do you see the beauty here? We have a common factor of p∧ on both sides of the OR operator. This is exactly like factoring out a variable in algebra.
By applying the Distributive Law in reverse, we can pull out the
p∧ and group the remaining terms:
p∧(∼q∨r)
We have successfully tamed the first half of our expression.
Phase 3
The Logical Collapse
Now, we bring back Part B: (∼q∧r). Our full expression is now [p∧(∼q∨r)]∧(∼q∧r).
Since all our operators are now ANDs, we can use the Associative Law to regroup the terms in whatever way makes our lives easier. Let us group the bracket from Part A with Part B:
p∧[(∼q∨r)∧(∼q∧r)]
Look closely at the bracketed section: (∼q∨r)∧(∼q∧r). This is a beautiful logical identity.
If (∼q∧r) is true, then (∼q∨r) must also be true. Because the first term is a subset of the second, their intersection is simply the first term itself. The entire bracket collapses into (∼q∧r).
Conclusion
The Final Victory
We are at the finish line! We are left with p∧(∼q∧r).
Since all operators are ANDs, we can drop the brackets and rearrange the terms using the Associative and Commutative laws to get (p∧r)∧∼q. This matches our first option perfectly.
You see? What looked like a monster was just a series of small, logical steps. Keep practicing these laws, and you will find that even the most intimidating problems have a simple, elegant soul.