# Math Help - Quantified Statements

1. ## Quantified Statements

LetS(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.

d) Some student has not asked any faculty member a question.

Why isn't the answer to this question, " $\exists x \forall y ((S(x) \wedge F(x)) \implies \neg A(x,y))$?

2. ## Re: Quantified Statements

Originally Posted by Bashyboy
d) Some student has not asked any faculty member a question.

Why isn't the answer to this question, " $\exists x \forall y ((S(x) \wedge F(x)) \implies \neg A(x,y))$?
The English claim asserts, in particular, that there is a student. The formula, on the other hand, asserts that there is a non-student (or something else is true). Indeed, recall that $P\Rightarrow Q$ is equivalent to $\neg P\lor Q$. Since S(x) in the premise of the implication, it is, so to speak, under negation.

More formally, the formula is true in an interpretation where the domain contains at least one non-student. If x is instantiated with this person, then the premise of the implication is false regardless of y, so the implication is true.

Correct formulas are $\exists x \forall y\,(S(x) \wedge (F(y))\Rightarrow \neg A(x,y)))$ and $\exists x\,(S(x) \wedge \forall y\,(F(y)\Rightarrow \neg A(x,y)))$.