Math 122 Assignment 2
Due: Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 23:59. Please submit to the Crowdmark page for your section:
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There are five questions of equal value (worth a total of 40 marks). There are also 4 bonus marks avaiable,
as indicated below. Please feel free to discuss these problems with each other. You may not access any
“tutoring” or “help” website or use AI assistance in any way. Suspected violations of any relevant policies
on Academic Integrity will be treated seriously. Each person must write up their own solution, in their own
words, in a way that reflects their own understanding. Complete solutions are those which are coherently
written, and include appropriate justifications.
Two bonus marks are available for the bonus question, and two more bonus marks are available if the answers
to questions 3 and 4 are typeset using the mathematical typesetting system LaTeX. Information on obtaining
and using LaTeX is on the cross-listed Brightspace page.
1. Suppose that the universe for the variables x and y is the set U = {3, 8}. For each statement below,
write a statement that is logically equivalent to it and does not use any quantifiers (i.e. it should not
use ∀ or ∃). Also, determine the truth value of the statement.
(a) ∀x, x + 7 > 12.
(b) ∃y, (2y ≥ 16) → (y < 5).
(c) ∀x, ∃y, (x + y = 11) ↔ (x = 3).
2. Suppose that the universe for all variables is the real numbers unless stated otherwise.
(a) Write the statement below in plain English. Your statement should include the word “unique.”
∀x, ∃y, ∀w, (y 2 = x) ∧ ((w ̸= y) → (w2 ̸= x)).
(b) Write a statement that is logically equivalent to the negation in part (a) which does not include
any negated quantifiers or negated mathematical symbols. For example, it should not include ¬∀
or ̸=. (Hint: How can you re-write a ̸= b?).
(c) Prove that the statement in part (a) is false when the universe for the variables is the real numbers.
Also, give an example of a universe for which the statement in part (a) is true.
3. (a) Prove that, if n is odd, then n + n2 + n3 is odd.
(b) For the universe of positive integers, is the following statement true?
∀k, ∀n, (n + n2 + · · · nk is odd) → (n is odd)
If it is true, prove it. If it is false, give a counterexample.
4. (a) Let a and b be positive real numbers. Prove that, if a/b is is irrational, then either a is irrational
or b is irrational.
√
(b) Let n be an integer. Prove that 2n is rational if and only if n is even.
5. (a) Answer each of the following true or false and justify your answer:
i. {x + 3 : x ∈ Z} = Z.
ii. |{1, 2, {1, 2}, {2, 1}}| = 4.
iii. If P(A) ∩ P(B) ̸= {∅}, then A ∩ B ̸= ∅.
iv. If A and B are finite, then |A ∩ B| < |A ∪ B|.
(b) Let p represent “this statement is false.” Can p be true? Can it be false? Is p a statement?
Explain.
6. (Bonus Question, 2 Bonus Marks) The warden of a prison has offered a prisoner an opportunity to be
released. There are 6 coins on a table arranged in 3 rows and 2 columns. The three coins in the left
column are heads and the other three are tails. The warden says that, if the prisoner can change the
coins so that all of them are heads, then they will be released. In each round, the prisoner points to a
coin and the warden flips that coin and all of the coins in the same row or column as that coin. There
is no limit on the number of rounds. Is it possible for the prisoner to get released? Why or why not?
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