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Law of Syllogism

In mathematical logic, the Law of Syllogism says that if the following two statements are true:

(1) If p , then q .

(2) If q , then r .

Then we can derive a third true statement:

(3) If p , then r .

 

Example:

If the following statements are true, use the Law of Syllogism to derive a new true statement.

1) If it snows today, then I will wear my gloves.

2) If I wear my gloves, my fingers will get itchy.

Let p be the statement "it snows today", let q be the statement "I wear my gloves", and let r be the statement "my fingers get itchy".

Then (1) and (2) can be written

1) If p , then q .

2) If q , then r .

So, by the Law of Syllogism, we can deduce

3) If p , then r

or

If it snows today, my fingers will get itchy.