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Inverse (logic)
In logic, if S is a statement of the form P implies Q then the inverse of S is a statement of the form (not P) implies (not Q).
S and its inverse are not logical equivalents. For example, let S be the true statement "If I am a human, then I am mortal." The inverse of S is the statement "If I am not a human, then I am not mortal," which is not necessarily true.
A truth table makes it clear that S and the inverse of S are not logically equivalent:
| P | Q | ¬P | ¬Q | P→Q | ¬P→¬Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T | T | F | F | T | T |
| T | F | F | T | F | T |
| F | T | T | F | T | F |
| F | F | T | T | T | T |
See also: Converse, Contrapositive, Denying the antecedent.
10-26-2009 08:16:03
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The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details