Nested Quantifiers
Nested Quantifiers
Order Matters!
• In all cases unless the type of quantification
are the same
• ∀x ∀yQ(x,y) ⇔ ∀y ∀xQ(x,y)
• ∃x ∃yQ(x,y) ⇔ ∃y ∃xQ(x,y)
• Other than that, the order of quantifiers will
affect the truth of the quantification
• ∀x ∃yQ(x,y) != ∃y ∀xQ(x,y)
Quantification of two variable
Table on how to read these quantifications
Turning Sentences into Logical Expressions
• “The sum of two positive integers is always
positive” x & y ϵ Z.
• ∀x∀y((x > 0) ∧ (y > 0) → (x + y > 0))
Quantification of two variable
Quantification of two variable
Quantification of two variable
Nested quantifiers (example)
Nested quantifiers (example)
Nested quantifiers (example)
Nested quantifiers (example)
Q3
• Let Q(x, y) be the statement “x has sent an e-
mail message to y,” where the domain for both
x and y consists of all students in your class.
Express each of these quantifications in English.
• a) ∃x∃yQ(x, y)
• b) ∃x∀yQ(x, y)
• c) ∀x∃yQ(x, y)
• d) ∃y∀xQ(x, y)
• e) ∀y∃xQ(x, y)
• f ) ∀x∀yQ(x, y)
Q3
• a) ∃x∃yQ(x, y)
There is some student in your class who has sent a message to some student
in your class.
• b) ∃x∀yQ(x, y)
There is some student in your class who has sent a message to every student
in your class.
• c) ∀x∃yQ(x, y)
Every student in your class has sent a message to at least one student in your
class.
• d) ∃y∀xQ(x, y)
There is a student in your class who has been sent a message by every student in your
class.
• e) ∀y∃xQ(x, y)
Every student in your class has been sent a message from at least one student
in your class.
• f ) ∀x∀yQ(x, y)
Every student in the class has sent a message to every student in the class
Q11
• Let S(x) be the predicate “x is a student,” F (x) the predicate “x is a
faculty member,” and A(x, y) the predicate “x has asked y a
question,” where the domain consists of all people associated with
your school. Use quantifiers to express each of these statements.
– a) Lois has asked Professor Michaels a question.
– b) Every student has asked Professor Gross a question.
– c) Every faculty member has either asked Professor Miller a
question or been asked a question by Professor Miller.
– d) Some student has not asked any faculty member a question.
– e) There is a faculty member who has never been asked a
question by a student.
– f ) Some student has asked every faculty member a question.
– g) There is a faculty member who has asked every other faculty
member a question.
– h) Some student has never been asked a question by a faculty
member.
Q11
• Let S(x) be the predicate “x is a student,” F (x) the predicate “x is a faculty
member,” and A(x, y) the predicate “x has asked y a question,” where the
domain consists of all people associated with your school. Use quantifiers to
express each of these statements.
– a) Lois has asked Professor Michaels a question.
A(Lois, Professor Michael)
– b) Every student has asked Professor Gross a question.
– c) Every faculty member has either asked Professor Miller a question or
been asked a question by Professor Miller.
–
– d) Some student has not asked any faculty member a question.
∃x(S(x)∧∀y(F(y) →¬ A(x , y))). We could also write this as
∃x(S(x)∧¬∃y(F(y)∧A(x, y)))
– e) There is a faculty member who has never been asked a question by a
student.
∃x(F(x)∧∀y(S(y)→¬ A(y , x)))
Q11
• Let S(x) be the predicate “x is a student,” F (x) the
predicate “x is a faculty member,” and A(x, y) the
predicate “x has asked y a question,” where the domain
consists of all people associated with your school. Use
quantifiers to express each of these statements.
– f ) Some student has asked every faculty member a
question.
∃x(S(x)∧∀y(F(y)→ A(x, y)))
– g) There is a faculty member who has asked every
other faculty member a question
∃x(F(x)∧∀y((F(y)∧y ≠x) → A(x, y))).
– h) Some student has never been asked a question by a
faculty member.
∃x(S(x)∧∀y(F(y) →¬ A(y , x))).
