Keywords: pame

Subsections

- Exercises

# Compound Boolean formulæ

Formulæ yielding `TRUE` or `FALSE` can be combined. For example, here is a formula which tests whether π lies between `3` and `4`

       pi > 3 & pi < 4

which yields `TRUE`. The priorities of `<`, `>` and `&` are so defined that parentheses are unnecessary in this case. Likewise, we may write

       "ab" < "aac" OR 3 < 2

which yields `FALSE`. More complicated formulæ can be written:

       3.4 > 2 & "a" < "c" OR "b" >= "ab"

which yields `TRUE`. Because the priority of the operator `&` is higher than the priority of `OR`, the `&` in the above formula is elaborated first. The order of elaboration can be changed using parentheses.

There does not seem much point to these formulæ since everything is known beforehand, but all will become clear in the next chapter.

Compound Boolean formulæ can be confusing. Being aware of the converse of a compound condition helps you to ensure you have considered all possibilities. For example, the converse of the formula

       a < b & c = d

is the formula

       a >= b OR c /= d

One of the formulæ would yield `TRUE` and the other `FALSE`.

## Exercises

4.3
  What is the value of each of the following: Ans
  (a)
    `NOT ODD 3 OR 3 < 4`

  (b)
    `3 > 2 & (5 > 12 OR 7 <= 8)`

  (c)
    `(TRUE OR FALSE) AND (FALSE OR TRUE)`

  (d)

  (e)
    `3<4 & 4<5 & 5<6 & 6>7`

4.4
  For each condition, write out its converse: Ans
  (a)
    `FALSE`

  (b)
    `4 > 2`

  (c)
    `a > b AND b > c`

  (d)
    `x = y OR x = z`