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I'm taking a first course in discreet mathematics and there are a lot of new rules/laws to remember.

My question is what is the best way to remember the rules of logic? How would you remember the:

Absorption Laws

The Domination Laws

Identity Laws

Are there any well known mnemonics, like SOHCAHTOA in trigonometry?

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    Forget about mnemonics. From this point forward, you should be aiming for understanding, not memorization. If you *understand* what these laws are saying, you'll be able to remember them.2011-01-16
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    I do agree with Arturo's comment. But let me mention that for me Venn diagrams help a lot: see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venn_diagram You can think of the expression $p$ as selecting the collection $S(p)$ of things satisfying $p$. Then you have for instance $S(p \vee q) = S(p) \cup S(q)$ and $S(p \wedge q) = S(p) \cap S(q)$. The three laws you're mentioning are completely obvious once you draw the appropriate diagrams.2011-01-16
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    @Theo: Which, in a sense, is about understanding what the laws are saying. (-:2011-01-16
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    @Arturo: of course :)2011-01-16
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    Use them and you won't be able for forget them.2011-01-16
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    @Arturo you are so correct. I've practiced so many problems now that I can see at a glance how to apply the rules because I understand them now. No mnemonics needed.2011-01-17
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    @lampShade: Does your university offer courses in blabbermouth mathematics too? (-: ("Discrete": made up of separate parts; "Discreet": capable of preserving prudent silence).2011-01-17

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