# Modus Tollendo Ponens/Variant/Formulation 2

## Theorem

$\vdash \paren {p \lor q} \iff \paren {\neg p \implies q}$

## Proof 1

By the tableau method of natural deduction:

$\vdash \left({p \lor q}\right) \iff \left({\neg p \implies q}\right)$
Line Pool Formula Rule Depends upon Notes
1 1 $p \lor q$ Assumption (None)
2 1 $\neg p \implies q$ Sequent Introduction 1 Modus Tollendo Ponens: Formulation 1
3 $\left({p \lor q}\right) \implies \left({\neg p \implies q}\right)$ Rule of Implication: $\implies \II$ 1 – 2 Assumption 1 has been discharged
4 4 $\neg p \implies q$ Assumption (None)
5 4 $p \lor q$ Sequent Introduction 4 Modus Tollendo Ponens: Formulation 1
6 $\left({\neg p \implies q}\right) \implies \left({p \lor q}\right)$ Rule of Implication: $\implies \II$ 4 – 5 Assumption 4 has been discharged
7 $\left({p \lor q}\right) \iff \left({\neg p \implies q}\right)$ Biconditional Introduction: $\iff \II$ 3, 6

$\blacksquare$

#### Law of the Excluded Middle

This proof depends on the Law of the Excluded Middle.

This is one of the axioms of logic that was determined by Aristotle, and forms part of the backbone of classical (Aristotelian) logic.

However, the intuitionist school rejects the Law of the Excluded Middle as a valid logical axiom.

This in turn invalidates this proof from an intuitionistic perspective.

## Proof by Truth Table

We apply the Method of Truth Tables.

As can be seen by inspection, the truth values under the main connective are true for all boolean interpretations.

$\begin{array}{|ccc|c|cccc|} \hline p & \lor & q & \iff & \neg & p & \implies & q \\ \hline \F & \F & \F & \T & \T & \F & \F & \F \\ \F & \T & \T & \T & \T & \F & \T & \T \\ \T & \T & \F & \T & \F & \T & \T & \F \\ \T & \T & \T & \T & \F & \T & \T & \T \\ \hline \end{array}$

$\blacksquare$