Which Logic Translation Correctly Expresses Everyone Likes Mary, Except Mary?

In summary, the conversation is about translating an English sentence into a logic sentence involving quantifiers. The sentence in question is "Everyone likes Mary, except Mary herself." The individual attempting the translation has come up with a solution of (∀x)[(x≠m → L(x,m)) ∧ (x=m → ¬L(x,m))], while the solution given in the textbook is (∀x)(x≠m → L(x,m)) and another solution found online is (∀x)(x≠m ↔ L(x,m)). The individual is unsure which solution is correct. They also ask for verification of their translation for the statement "If nobody failed the test, then everybody who got an A will tutor someone who got a
  • #1
Syrus
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Homework Statement



I am going back and reviewing some elementary material in logic/set theory. Among the problems in the quantifier section is the following english sentence to logic sentence translation:

Everyone likes Mary, except Mary herself.

Now, my attempt was: (∀x)[(x≠m → L(x,m)) ∧ (x=m → ¬L(x,m))], where m stands for "mary," and L(a,b) stands for "a likes b."

The solution to the exercise in the text was given as: (∀x)(x≠m → L(x,m)). I was a bit skeptical of this and searched the problem online and found another, different solution:
(∀x)(x≠m ↔ L(x,m)).

My question is, which of these three is correct? (or, if they are all/some equivalent, how?)


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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  • #2
Could anyone at least verify my translation of the following English statement:

If nobody failed the test, then everybody who got an A will tutor someone who got a D.

¬(∃w)F(w) → (∀x)[A(x) → ((∃y)D(y) → (∃z)T(x,z))], where F(x) stands for "x failed the test," A(y) stands for "y got an A on the test," D(z) stands for "z got a D on the test," and T(a,b) stands for "a tutors b."
 
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Related to Which Logic Translation Correctly Expresses Everyone Likes Mary, Except Mary?

1. How does the process of translating English to logic work?

The process of translating English to logic involves identifying the logical operators and quantifiers in the English sentence, and then using a set of rules to convert them into their logical equivalents. This includes breaking down the sentence into its components, assigning variables and truth values, and constructing a logical statement that accurately represents the meaning of the original sentence.

2. What are the main challenges in translating English to logic?

One of the main challenges in translating English to logic is dealing with ambiguity. English sentences can often have multiple interpretations, whereas logical statements must have a clear and unambiguous meaning. Another challenge is the use of idiomatic expressions and figurative language in English that may not have a direct logical equivalent.

3. Can a computer program accurately translate English to logic?

Yes, a computer program can accurately translate English to logic. In fact, many natural language processing and artificial intelligence systems use algorithms to convert English sentences into logical statements that can be processed by a computer. However, the accuracy of the translation may still depend on the complexity and ambiguity of the original sentence.

4. Is there a standard set of rules for translating English to logic?

Yes, there are standard rules and conventions for translating English to logic. These rules are based on the principles of propositional logic, predicate logic, and quantification theory. However, there may be some variations in the specific rules used by different systems or approaches to translation.

5. Are there any limitations to translating English to logic?

While translating English to logic can be a useful tool for formalizing and analyzing language, it also has its limitations. Some concepts and ideas in English may not have a direct logical equivalent, which can make translation difficult. Additionally, the context and cultural connotations of a sentence may be lost in the translation process.

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