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There are no premises present. I need to prove ($\neg p \vee \neg q) \wedge (r \vee q) \wedge (r \implies s) \implies \neg(p \wedge \neg s)$.

The catch is I'm only allowed to use primitive inference rules (so only introduction and elimination rules). So far this is what I've done

  1. Assume $(\neg p \vee \neg q) \wedge (r \vee q) \wedge (r \implies s)$, derive $\neg(p \wedge \neg s)$

    1.1. $(\neg p \vee \neg q) \wedge (r \vee q) \wedge (r \implies s)$ by assumption

    1.2. $(\neg p \vee \neg q)$ by $\wedge$- elimination in 1.1

    1.3. $(r \vee q)$ by $\wedge$- elimination in 1.1

    1.4. $(r \implies s)$ by $\wedge$- elimination in 1.1

    1.5. Assume $p \wedge \neg s$, derive contradiction

    1.5.1. $p \wedge \neg s$ by assumption

    1.5.2. $p$ by $\wedge$- elimination in 1.5.1

    1.5.3. $\neg s$ by $\wedge$- elimination in 1.5.1

    1.5.4. Assume $r$, derive contradiction

    1.5.4.1 $r$ by assumption

    1.5.4.2 $s$ by $\implies$- elimination using 1.5.4.1, 1.4

    1.5.4.3 contradiction due to 1.5.4.2, 1.5.3

    1.5.5 $\neg r$ by $\neg$-introduction in 1.5.4

and now I'm not sure how to proceed. But looking at steps 1.2, 1.3 and 1.5.5 I can sense that this will give me a $\neg p$ which will help in getting my contradiction which I require in 1.5 because I already have a $p$ in 1.5.2. The problem is I don't know how this should be represented formally. I know that I have to do some sort of $\vee$ elimination.

1 Answers 1

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What you have so far is right. I'll present it in what I feel is a more readable format:

If $( \neg p \lor \neg q ) \land ( r \lor q ) \land ( r \to s )$:

  $\neg p \lor \neg q$.

  $r \lor q$.

  $r \to s$.

  If $p \land \neg s$:

    $p$.

    $\neg s$.

    If $r$:

      $s$.

      Contradiction.

    If $q$:

      ...

      $\neg p$.

      Contradiction.

    Contradiction.   [$\lor$-elim]

The method is to use $\lor$-elimination to make use of the two disjunctive sentences you have. I've shown you the final steps, and you just need to fill in the blank.