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Iffy Logic

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Edward from Aquinas College in England explained why each pair of statements fit around a $\Rightarrow$ or a $\iff$:
 

If Rover is a dog, he isn't a cat. If Rover's not a cat there are a lot of other things he could be.

 

If $2n-m<0$ then $m$ is bigger than $2n.$ It can't be the other way round: if $n\lt m,$ we don't know that $2n\lt m$

Sometimes, an example is helpful to show that something is not always true. It is not true that $n-m$ is not zero $\Rightarrow n+m$ is odd, because if $m=4$ and $n=2$ then $n-m$ is not zero, but $n+m$ is not odd.


 

$n$ is even, $n+1$ is odd.  $even+odd=odd.$ It is reversible as $odd-odd=even$

 

If $n$ is bigger than $m,$ then $n-m$ will be bigger than $0$ as $n\gt m$ rearranges to $n-m\gt0$

 

As $n$ is a positive integer, if $n^2$ is odd then $n$ must be odd.
Similarly, if n is odd then $n^2$ is odd. As $odd\times odd=odd$

 

If $n\gt2$ then $n^3$ will be greater than $5n$ as $n$ has to be an integer
The nearest integer after $2$ is $3$
$3^3=27$ which is greater than $5\times3=15$
It is reversible as if $n^3\gt5n,$ $n$ will be bigger than $2$


James from KEGS in England answered the question of whether there is more than one possible solution:
To begin with, I established all possible implicative relationships using the following visual aid:
 

There are 4 pairs of statements which imply the other, therefore these must be the 4 pairs in the solution, indicated by  

Rover is a dog $\Rightarrow$ Rover is not a cat, there are no other connections to these two. 

In the same way, $2n-m\lt0\Rightarrow n\lt m$

As with $n+m$ is odd $\Rightarrow n-m$ is not zero

This leaves the statements $n\gt1 \Rightarrow n\gt0$

 

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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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