Week 1 - Introduction and Symbolic Logic

Question 1

Proposition

Answer 1

A sentence which states a fact

Question 2

Argument

Answer 2

A list of propositions

Question 3

Conclusion

Answer 3

The last proposition in an argument

Question 4

Premises

Answer 4

The other propositions in an argument that are not the conclusion.

Question 5

An argument is valid if…

Answer 5

when the premises are true, so is the conclusion.

Question 6

Symbolic logics

Answer 6

Formal languages that allow conducting logical reasoning through the manipulation of symbols.

Question 7

Backus Naur Form

Answer 7

A collection of rules in the form lhs ::= rhs | … |

Question 8

What is a non-terminal symbol?

Answer 8

A symbol that can be changed into other symbols by following the rules of the language.

Question 9

What is the arity of a terminal symbol?

Answer 9

The number of arguments it takes

Question 10

What is the fixity of a terminal symbol?

Answer 10

The place where the terminal symbol occurs. i.e before/between/after its arguments

Question 11

Associativity

Answer 11

Which side do symbols take priority. e.g left associativity means symbols from the left take priority.

Question 12

Precedence

Answer 12

Terminal symbols with a higher precedence take priority over symbols with a lower precedence.

Question 13

Metavariable

Answer 13

A variable that can range over all possible expressions/formulas