# 2.8: Truth Tables


So far we know these symbols for logic:

• $$\sim$$ not (negation)
• $$\rightarrow$$ if-then
• $$\therefore$$ therefore

Two more symbols are:

• $$\wedge$$ and
• $$\lor$$ or

We would write “$$p$$ and $$q$$” as $$p\wedge q$$ and “$$p$$ or $$q$$” as $$p\lor q$$.

Truth tables use these symbols and are another way to analyze logic. First, let’s relate p and \sim p. To make it easier, set p as: An even number. Therefore, \sim p is An odd number. Make a truth table to find out if they are both true. Begin with all the “truths” of p, true (T) or false (F).

p
T
F

Next we write the corresponding truth values for $$\sim p$$. $$\sim p$$ has the opposite truth values of $$p$$. So, if $$p$$ is true, then $$\sim p$$ is false and vise versa.

p \sim p
T F
F T

To Recap:

• Start truth tables with all the possible combinations of truths. For 2 variables there are 4 combinations for 3 variables there are 8. You always start a truth table this way.
• Do any negations on the any of the variables.
• Do any combinations in parenthesis.
• Finish with completing what the problem was asking for.

#### Drawing a Truth Table

1. Draw a truth table for $$p$$, $$q$$ and $$p \wedge q$$.

First, make columns for p and q. Fill the columns with all the possible true and false combinations for the two.

p q
T T
T F
F T
F F

Notice all the combinations of p and q. Anytime we have truth tables with two variables, this is always how we fill out the first two columns.

Next, we need to figure out when $$p\wedge q$$ is true, based upon the first two columns. p \wedge q can only be true if BOTH p and q are true. So, the completed table looks like this:

This is how a truth table with two variables and their “and” column is always filled out.

2. Draw a truth table for $$p$$, $$q$$ and $$p \lor q$$.

First, make columns for $$p \lor q$$ and $$q$$, just like Example A.

p q
T T
T F
F T
F F

Next, we need to figure out when $$p \lor q$$ is true, based upon the first two columns. $$p \lor q$$ is true if $$p$$ OR $$q$$ are true, or both are true. So, the completed table looks like this:

The difference between $$p \wedge q$$ and $$p \lor q$$ is the second and third rows. For “and” both $$p$$ and $$q$$ have to be true, but for “or” only one has to be true.

#### Determining the Truths of Variables

Determine the truths for $$p \wedge(\sim q \lor r)$$.

First, there are three variables, so we are going to need all the combinations of their truths. For three variables, there are always 8 possible combinations.

$$p$$ $$q$$ $$r$$
T T T
T T F
T F T
T F F
F T T
F T F
F F T
F F F

Next, address the $$\sim q$$. It will just be the opposites of the $$q$$ column.

$$p$$ $$q$$ $$r$$ $$\sim q$$
T T T F
T T F F
T F T T
T F F T
F T T F
F T F F
F F T T
F F F T

Now, let’s do what’s in the parenthesis, $$\sim q\lor r$$. Remember, for “or” only $$\sim q$$ OR $$r$$ has to be true. Only use the $$\sim q$$ and $$r$$ columns to determine the values in this column.

$$p$$ $$q$$ $$r$$ $$\sim q$$ $$\sim q\lor r$$
T T T F T
T T F F F
T F T T T
T F F T T
F T T F T
F T F F F
F F T T T
F F F T T

Finally, we can address the entire problem, $$p \wedge(\sim q \lor r)$$. Use the $$p$$ and $$\sim q\lor r$$ to determine the values. Remember, for “and” both $$p$$ and $$\sim q\lor r$$ must be true.

$$p$$ $$q$$ $$r$$ $$\sim q$$ $$\sim q\lor r$$ $$p \wedge(\sim q \lor r)$$
T T T F T T
T T F F F F
T F T T T T
T F F T T T
F T T F T F
F T F F F F
F F T T T F
F F F T T F

Write a truth table for the following variables.

Example $$\PageIndex{1}$$

$$p \wedge \sim p$$

Solution

First, make columns for $$p$$, then add in $$\sim p$$ and finally, evaluate $$p \wedge \sim p$$.

$$p$$ $$\sim p$$ $$p \wedge \sim p$$
T F F
F T F

Example $$\PageIndex{2}$$

$$\sim p \lor \sim q$$

Solution

First, make columns for $$p$$ and $$q$$, then add in $$\sim p$$ and $$\sim q$$. Finally, evaluate $$\sim p \lor \sim q$$.

$$p$$ $$q$$ $$\sim p$$ $$\sim q$$ $$\sim p \lor \sim q$$
$$p \lor \sim q$$ T F F F
T F F T T
F T T F T
F F T T T

Example $$\PageIndex{3}$$

$$p \wedge (q\lor \sim q)$$

Solution

First, make columns for p and q, then add in $$\sim q$$ and $$q\lor \sim q$$. Finally, evaluate $$p\wedge (q\lor \sim q)$$.

$$p$$ $$q$$ $$\sim q$$ $$q\lor \sim q$$ $$p\wedge (q\lor \sim q)$$
T T F T T
T F T T T
F T F T F
F F T T F

## Review

Write a truth table for the following variables.

1. $$(p \wedge q)\lor \sim r$$
2. $$p \lor ( \sim q \lor r)$$
3. $$p \wedge (q \lor \sim r)$$
4. The only difference between #1 and #3 is the placement of the parenthesis. How do the truth tables differ?
5. When is $$p \lor q \lor r$$ true?
6. $$p \lor q \lor r$$
7. $$(p \lor q) \lor \sim r$$
8. $$( \sim p \wedge \sim q) \wedge r$$
9. $$( \sim p \lor \sim q) \wedge r$$

Is the following a valid argument? If so, what law is being used? HINT: Statements could be out of order.

$$p \rightarrow q$$

$$r \rightarrow p$$

$$\therefore r \rightarrow q$$

$$p \rightarrow q$$

$$r \rightarrow q$$

$$\therefore p \rightarrow r$$

$$p \rightarrow \sim r$$

$$r$$

$$\therefore \sim p$$

$$\sim q \rightarrow r$$

$$q$$

$$\therefore \sim r$$

$$p \rightarrow (r \rightarrow s)$$

$$p$$

$$\therefore r \rightarrow s$$

$$r \rightarrow q$$

$$r \rightarrow s$$

$$\therefore q \rightarrow s$$