Symbolic Logic
Symbols
In algebra, a letter such as x represents a number. Although the symbol gives no clue as to the value of the number, it can be used nevertheless in the formation of sums, products, etc. Similarly P, in geometry, stands for a point and can be used in describing segments, intersections, and the like.
In symbolic logic, a letter such as p stands for an entire statement. It may, for example, represent the statement, "A triangle has three sides." In algebra, the plus sign joins two numbers to form a third number. In symbolic logic, a sign such as V connects two statements to form a third statement. For example, V replaces the word "or" and Λ replaces the word "and." The following is a list of the symbols commonly encountered:
| p, q, r,… | statements |
| v | "or" |
| Λ | "and" |
| ~ | "it is not the case that" |
| => | "implies" or "If..., then..." |
| ↔ | "implies and is implied by" or "....if and only if..." |
Additional topics
Science EncyclopediaScience & Philosophy: Swim bladder (air bladder) to ThalliumSymbolic Logic - Symbols, Statements, Conjunctions, Negation, Truth Tables, Disjunctions, Algebra Of Statements, Implication