vacuous
Suppose X is a set and P is a property defined as follows:
X has property P if and only if | ||
∀Y[ Y satisfies condition 1]⇒ Y satisfies condition 2 |
where condition 1 and condition 2 define the property. If condition 1 is never satisfied then X satisfies property P vacuously.
Examples
-
1.
If X is the set {1,2,3} and P is the property defined as above with condition 1= Y is a infinite subset of X, and condition 2= Y contains 7. Then X has property P vacously; every infinite subset of {1,2,3} contains the number 7 [1].
-
2.
The empty set
is a Hausdorff space (vacuously).
-
3.
Suppose property P is defined by the statement :
The present King of France does not exist.
Then either of the following propositionsis satisfied vacuously.
The present king of France is bald.
The present King of France is not bald.
References
- 1 Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuous_truthentry on Vacuous truth.
Title | vacuous |
---|---|
Canonical name | Vacuous |
Date of creation | 2013-03-22 14:42:27 |
Last modified on | 2013-03-22 14:42:27 |
Owner | matte (1858) |
Last modified by | matte (1858) |
Numerical id | 9 |
Author | matte (1858) |
Entry type | Definition |
Classification | msc 00A20 |
Synonym | vacuously |
Synonym | vacuously true |
Synonym | vacuous truth |