Accepted Answer

Hi there!

Write a simple sentence and then write the negation. Imagine situations where each statement is True or False. How does the truth value (True or False) of the negation statement compare with the truth value of the original statement?

The sky is red.
Negation: The sky is not red.
The truth value of the original statement is False. The truth value of the negation is True. In general, negations will have the opposite truth value of the original statement.

The opposite:
Blueberries are blue.
Negation: Blueberries are not blue.
The first statement is true, and the negation is false. Again, the truth values are opposite.


Write two simple sentences and then write the compound statement you get from connecting the original two statements using the word “and.” Imagine situations where each simple statement is True or False. How does the truth value (True or False) of the compound statement compare with the truth value of the original statements?

Statement 1 (true): People have never been to Mars
Statement 2 (true): The sky is blue

Combined: People have never been to Mars and the sky is blue.
That is true. If both original statements are true, then the end result after joining with an "and" will be true.

Statment 2a (false): The sky is green.
Combined: People have never been to Mars and the sky is green.
The combined statement is now false. If either (or both) of the initial statements are false, then the result will be false.

Let me know if you have any questions,
Scott

Expert:	Scott
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:	5284
Answered:	8/7/2008

MIT Graduate

College degree in math... proficient in all levels -- from algebra to calculus