1. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." If he returned the book to the library on Monday night, then his claim is true.
2. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." If the claim is true, and if he did not return the book to the library on Monday night, then he must have returned it Tuesday morning.
3. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." If the claim is true, and if he did return the book to the library on Monday night, then he must not have returned it Tuesday morning.
4. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." Even if the claim is false, he may have returned the book on Monday night.
5. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." If John returned the book on Tuesday afternoon, then his claim is false.
6. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." Even if he returned the book on Tuesday morning, the claim may still be false.
7. Juanita says, "I have midterms on Monday and Tuesday." Juanita might be wrong, even if she does have a midterm on Tuesday.
8. Juanita says, "I have midterms on Monday and Tuesday." If Juanita's claim is true, does she have a midterm on Monday?
9. Your boss guarantees you a raise if you'll relocate to another city, or a promotion but no raise if you stay where you are. In this example, is the "or" inclusive or exclusive?
10. Your boss guarantees you a raise if you'll relocate to another city, or a promotion but no raise if you stay where you are. Assuming that the guarantee is true, if you don't get a raise, are you sure of getting a promotion?
1. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." If he returned the book to the library on Monday night, then his claim is true.
You answered:
Valid
To affirm an "or" claim, at least one element needs to be affirmed. In this case, one or both of the elements, "Monday night" and "Tuesday morning," must be affirmed for the claim to be true. Since "Monday night" has been affirmed, it is valid to conclude that the claim is true.
1. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." If he returned the book to the library on Monday night, then his claim is true.
You answered:
Invalid
To affirm an "or" claim, at least one element needs to be affirmed. In this case, one or both of the elements, "Monday night" and "Tuesday morning," must be affirmed for the claim to be true. Since "Monday night" has been affirmed, it is valid to conclude that the claim is true.
1. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." If he returned the book to the library on Monday night, then his claim is true.
You answered:
Unknown
To affirm the whole "or" claim, at least one element needs to be affirmed. In this case, one or both of the elements, "Monday night" and "Tuesday morning," must be affirmed for the claim to be true. Since "Monday night" has been affirmed, it is valid to conclude that the claim is true.
2.John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." If the claim is true, and if he did not return the book to the library on Monday night, then he must have returned it Tuesday morning.
You answered:
-
Invalid
To affirm an "or" claim, at least one element needs to be affirmed. In this case, since the claim has been affirmed as true, we can conclude that one or both of the elements, "Monday night" and "Tuesday morning," are true. Since we also know that "Monday night" is false--that is, John did not return the book on Monday night--we must conclude he did return the book to the library on Tuesday morning.
2.John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." If the claim is true, and if he did not return the book to the library on Monday night, then he must have returned it Tuesday morning.
You answered:
-
Valid
To affirm an "or" claim, at least one element needs to be affirmed. In this case, since the claim has been affirmed as true, we can conclude that one or both of the elements, "Monday night" and "Tuesday morning," are true. Since we also know that "Monday night" is false--that is, John did not return the book on Monday night--we must conclude he did return the book to the library on Tuesday morning.
2.John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." If the claim is true, and if he did not return the book to the library on Monday night, then he must have returned it Tuesday morning.
You answered:
-
Unknown
To affirm an "or" claim, at least one element needs to be affirmed. In this case, since the claim has been affirmed as true, we can conclude that one or both of the elements, "Monday night" and "Tuesday morning," are true. Since we also know that "Monday night" is false--that is, John did not return the book on Monday night--we must conclude he did return the book to the library on Tuesday morning.
3.John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." If the claim is true, and if he did return the book to the library on Monday night, then he must not have returned it Tuesday morning.
You answered:
-
Valid
To affirm an "or" claim, one or more elements need to be affirmed. In this case, since the claim has been affirmed as true, we can conclude that one or both of the elements, "Monday night" and "Tuesday morning," are true. Knowing that one is true, "Monday night," does not rule out the other, "Tuesday morning," being true as well. If you based your conclusion on the assumption that John could not have returned the book twice, you may be depending too much on your "common sense"--that is, on your initial reaction rather than a more careful analysis. Certainly John may have returned the same book to the library on both Monday night and Tuesday morning if, for example, he borrowed that book both on Monday morning and again on Monday night.
3.John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." If the claim is true, and if he did return the book to the library on Monday night, then he must not have returned it Tuesday morning.
You answered:
-
Invalid
To affirm an "or" claim, one or more elements need to be affirmed. In this case, since the claim has been affirmed as true, we can conclude that one or both of the elements, "Monday night" and "Tuesday morning," are true. Knowing that one is true, "Monday night," does not rule out the other, "Tuesday morning," being true as well; so the conclusion that he could not have returned the book on Tuesday morning is invalid.
3. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." If the claim is true, and if he did return the book to the library on Monday night, then he must not have returned it Tuesday morning.
You answered:
-
Unknown
To affirm an "or" claim, one or more elements need to be affirmed. In this case, since the claim has been affirmed as true, we can conclude that one or both of the elements, "Monday night" and "Tuesday morning," are true. Knowing that one is true, "Monday night," does not rule out the other, "Tuesday morning," being true as well. Though it is unknown whether John returned the book on Tuesday morning, it is invalid to conclude he did not.
If you allowed yourself to be confused by the idea that John may have returned the book twice, you may be depending too much on your "common sense"--that is, on your initial reaction rather than a more careful analysis. Certainly John may have returned the same book to the library on both Monday night and Tuesday morning if, for example, he borrowed that book both on Monday morning and again on Monday night.
4. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." Even if the claim is false, he may have returned the book on Monday night.
You answered:
-
Valid
To negate an "or" claim, all elements must be negated. In this case, therefore, neither of the elements, "Monday night" or "Tuesday morning," can be true, so John can not have returned the book on Monday night, regardless of what he did at any other time.
4. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." Even if the claim is false, he may have returned the book on Monday night.
You answered:
- Invalid
To negate an "or" claim, all elements must be negated. In this case, therefore, neither of the elements, "Monday night" or "Tuesday morning," can be true, so John can not have returned the book on Monday night, regardless of what he did at any other time.
4. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." Even if the claim is false, he may have returned the book on Monday night.
You answered:
-
Unknown
To negate an "or" claim, all elements must be negated. In this case, therefore, neither of the elements, "Monday night" or "Tuesday morning," can be true, so John can not have returned the book on Monday night, regardless of what he did at any other time.
5. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." If John returned the book on Tuesday afternoon, then his claim is false.
You answered:
-
Valid
To determine if an "or" claim is true or not, we must be able either to affirm one of the elements, or negate all of them. In this case, "Tuesday afternoon" only negates "Monday night" and "Tuesday morning" if you assume John can return the book only once--something we are not told. Because John may have returned the book both Monday night and Tuesday afternoon, for example, affirming that he did return it Tuesday afternoon does not rule out the possibility that he also returned it earlier.
5. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." If John returned the book on Tuesday afternoon, then his claim is false.
You answered:
-
Invalid
To determine if an "or" claim is true or not, we must be able either to affirm one of the elements, or negate all of them. In this case, "Tuesday afternoon" only negates "Monday night" and "Tuesday morning" if you assume John can return the book only once--something we are not told. Because John may have returned the book both Monday night and Tuesday afternoon, for example, affirming that he did return it Tuesday afternoon does not rule out the possibility that he also returned it earlier.
5. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." If John returned the book on Tuesday afternoon, then his claim is false.
-
Unknown
To determine if an "or" claim is true or not, we must be able either to affirm one of the elements, or negate all of them. In this case, "Tuesday afternoon" only negates "Monday night" and "Tuesday morning" if you assume John can return the book only once--something we are not told. Because John may have returned the book both Monday night and Tuesday afternoon, for example, affirming that he did return it Tuesday afternoon does not rule out the possibility that he also returned it earlier.
6. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." Even if he returned the book on Tuesday morning, the claim may still be false.
You answered:
- Valid
An "or" claim is true if at least one of its elements is true. In this case, the claim is true if either "Monday night" or Tuesday morning" is affirmed, and we are told John did in fact return his book on Tuesday morning." The conclusion that the claim may be false is therefore invalid.
6. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." Even if he returned the book on Tuesday morning, the claim may still be false.
You answered:
- Invalid
An "or" claim can only be false if all its elements are negated. In this case, for the claim to be false, both "Monday night" and Tuesday morning" must be negated. If "Tuesday morning" is affirmed, as it is above, then the claim is true.
6. John claims, "I returned the book to the library on Monday night or Tuesday morning." Even if he returned the book on Tuesday morning, the claim may still be false.
You answered:
- Unknown
An "or" claim is true if at least one of its elements is true. In this case, the claim is true if either "Monday night" or Tuesday morning" is affirmed, and we are told John did in fact return his book on Tuesday morning." The conclusion that the claim may be false is therefore invalid.
7. Juanita says, "I have midterms on Monday and Tuesday." Juanita might be wrong, even if she does have a midterm on Tuesday.
You answered:
- True
To affirm an "and" claim, all elements must be affirmed. So, to ensure that Juanita is right, midterms on both Monday and Tuesday must be affirmed. In this example, no midterm on Monday would mean that Juanita does not have "midterms on Monday and Tuesday," and thus her claim would be false. (If Juanita had said, "I have midterms on Monday or Tuesday," however, the claim would be true with just Tuesday affirmed.
7. Juanita says, "I have midterms on Monday and Tuesday." Juanita might be wrong, even if she does have a midterm on Tuesday.
You answered:
- False
To affirm an "and" claim, all elements must be affirmed. So, to ensure that Juanita is right, midterms on both Monday and Tuesday must be affirmed. In this example, no midterm on Monday would mean that Juanita does not have "midterms on Monday and Tuesday," and thus her claim would be false. (If Juanita had said, "I have midterms on Monday or Tuesday," however, the claim would be true with just Tuesday affirmed.
7. Juanita says, "I have midterms on Monday and Tuesday." Juanita might be wrong, even if she does have a midterm on Tuesday.
You answered:
- Unknown
To affirm an "and" claim, all elements must be affirmed. So, to ensure that Juanita is right, midterms on both Monday and Tuesday must be affirmed. In this example, no midterm on Monday would mean that Juanita does not have "midterms on Monday and Tuesday," and thus her claim would be false. (If Juanita had said, "I have midterms on Monday or Tuesday," however, the claim would be true with just Tuesday affirmed.)
8. Juanita says, "I have midterms on Monday and Tuesday." If Juanita's claim is true, does she have a midterm on Monday?
You answered:
- Yes
For an "and" claim to be true, all elements must be true. Therefore, Juanita must have at least one midterm on Monday, and at least one midterm on Tuesday.
8. Juanita says, "I have midterms on Monday and Tuesday." If Juanita's claim is true, does she have a midterm on Monday?
You answered:
- No
For an "and" claim to be true, all elements must be true. Therefore, Juanita must have at least one midterm on Monday, and at least one midterm on Tuesday.
8. Juanita says, "I have midterms on Monday and Tuesday." If Juanita's claim is true, does she have a midterm on Monday?
You answered:
- Unknown
For an "and" claim to be true, all elements must be true. Therefore, Juanita must have at least one midterm on Monday, and at least one midterm on Tuesday.
9. Your boss guarantees you a raise if you'll relocate to another city, or a promotion but no raise if you stay where you are. In this example, is the "or" inclusive or exclusive?
You answered:
- Exclusive
The context makes it clear that you cannot do both: relocate and stay put, receive a raise and not receive a raise.
- Exclusive: "A or B, but not both."
- Inclusive: "A or B, or both."
9. Your boss guarantees you a raise if you'll relocate to another city, or a promotion but no raise if you stay where you are. In this example, is the "or" inclusive or exclusive?
You answered:
- Inclusive
The context makes it clear that you cannot do both: relocate and stay put, receive a raise and not receive a raise.
- Exclusive: "A or B, but not both."
- Inclusive: "A or B, or both."
9. Your boss guarantees you a raise if you'll relocate to another city, or a promotion but no raise if you stay where you are. In this example, is the "or" inclusive or exclusive?
You answered:
- Unknown
The context makes it clear that you cannot do both: relocate and stay put, receive a raise and not receive a raise.
- Exclusive: "A or B, but not both."
- Inclusive: "A or B, or both."
10. Your boss guarantees you a raise if you'll relocate to another city, or a promotion but no raise if you stay where you are. Assuming that the guarantee is true, if you don't get a raise, are you sure of getting a promotion?
You answered:
- Yes
The two choices, "a raise" and "a promotion but no raise" are connected by an exclusive "or." That means you can have one or the other, but not both. (You boss's "guarantee" takes care of the other possibility, "neither.") Thus, if you do not get "a raise," you must get "a promotion but no raise." In that last phrase, the "but" is a conjunction, like "and," so for the phrase to be true, both elements must be true: "promotion" and "no raise."
10. Your boss guarantees you a raise if you'll relocate to another city, or a promotion but no raise if you stay where you are. Assuming that the guarantee is true, if you don't get a raise, are you sure of getting a promotion?
You answered:
- No
The two choices, "a raise" and "a promotion but no raise" are connected by an exclusive "or." That means you can have one or the other, but not both. (You boss's "guarantee" takes care of the other possibility, "neither.") Thus, if you do not get "a raise," you must get "a promotion but no raise." In that last phrase, the "but" is a conjunction, like "and," so for the phrase to be true, both elements must be true: "promotion" and "no raise."
10. Your boss guarantees you a raise if you'll relocate to another city, or a promotion but no raise if you stay where you are. Assuming that the guarantee is true, if you don't get a raise, are you sure of getting a promotion?
You answered:
- Unknown
The two choices, "a raise" and "a promotion but no raise" are connected by an exclusive "or." That means you can have one or the other, but not both. (You boss's "guarantee" takes care of the other possibility, "neither.") Thus, if you do not get "a raise," you must get "a promotion but no raise." In that last phrase, the "but" is a conjunction, like "and," so for the phrase to be true, both elements must be true: "promotion" and "no raise.
You have completed the section on conjunctions and disjunctions. We recommend that you continue with the section on options, which expands on several of the concepts introduced here.
