Maths · Volume 2 · Chapter 12

Samacheer Class 12 Maths - Discrete Mathematics

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Complete Class 12 Mathematics book back solutions for Discrete Mathematics with exam-ready answers.

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EXERCISE 12.1 10EXERCISE 12.2 15Choose the correct 20
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EXERCISE 12.1EXERCISE 12.110 questions
Q.1Determine whether ∗ is a binary operation on the sets given below. (i) a ∗ b = a/b on ℝ. (ii) a ∗ b = min(a,b) on A = {1,2,3,4,5}. (iii) a ∗ b = a + b on ℝ. (Reconstructed from OCR.)v
Solution

(i) Division is not defined when b = 0, so a/b may not lie in ℝ for all ordered pairs (a,b) with b=0; hence ∗ is not binary on ℝ. (ii) For any a,b ∈ A, min(a,b) ∈ A, so closure holds; therefore ∗ is a binary operation on A. (iii) Sum of two reals is a real so closure holds; hence ∗ is binary on ℝ.

Answer:

(i) Not a binary operation on ℝ. (ii) Binary operation on A. (iii) Binary operation on ℝ.

Q.2On ℤ (or the intended integer set), define ∗ by m ∗ n = m + n for all m,n. Is ∗ binary on ℤ ? (Reconstructed from OCR.)v
Solution

For any m,n ∈ ℤ, m+n ∈ ℤ so closure holds. Commutativity: m+n = n+m. Associativity: (m+n)+p = m+(n+p). Hence ∗ is a binary operation, commutative and associative.

Answer:

Yes. ∗ is a binary operation on ℤ; it is closed, commutative and associative.

Q.3Let ∗ be defined on ℝ by a ∗ b = a + b + ab − 7. Is ∗ binary on ℝ ? If so, find 3 ∗ (−7).v
Solution

For any a,b ∈ ℝ the expression a+b+ab−7 is a real number so ∗ is closed on ℝ (binary). Compute 3 ∗ (−7) = 3 + (−7) + 3(−7) − 7 = 3−7−21−7 = −32.

Answer:

Yes; 3 ∗ (−7) = −32.

Q.4Let A = {1,2,3,4,5}. Check whether the usual multiplication is a binary operation on A.v
Solution

If we take, for example, 3·4 = 12 ∉ A, so multiplication of two elements of A may leave A. Hence usual multiplication is not closed on A and therefore not a binary operation on A.

Answer:

Yes, multiplication is not closed on A in general; (counterexample) so it is not a binary operation on A.

Q.5(i) Define ∗ on ℚ by a ∗ b = (a+b)/2. Examine closure, commutativity, associativity. (ii) For same ∗, examine existence of identity and inverses on ℚ.v
Solution

(i) If a,b ∈ ℚ then (a+b)/2 ∈ ℚ (closure). Commutative since (a+b)/2=(b+a)/2. Associativity fails: (a∗b)∗c = ((a+b)/2 + c)/2 = (a+b+2c)/4 whereas a∗(b∗c) = (2a+b+c)/4, not equal in general. (ii) Suppose e is identity: a∗e=(a+e)/2=a ⇒ a+e=2a ⇒ e=a for all a, impossible; so no identity and hence no two-sided inverses.

Answer:

(i) Closed and commutative; not associative. (ii) No identity and so no (two-sided) inverses.

Q.6Fill the table so that the binary operation ∗ on A = {a,b,c} is commutative. (Table has entries to be completed so symmetry holds.)v
Solution

A binary operation on a finite set is commutative iff the table is symmetric about the main diagonal: entry (x,y) = entry (y,x) for all x,y. The example table given is symmetric and so defines a commutative operation. Any symmetric filling is acceptable.

Answer:

Make the table symmetric; one valid completion is ∗ | a b c a | a b c b | b b a c | c a c

Q.7Given the operation table on A = {a,b,c,d} (table reconstructed from OCR), determine if it is commutative and associative.v
Solution

To test commutativity compare entries (x,y) and (y,x) for all pairs; any mismatch shows non‑commutativity. Similarly for associativity compute both (x∗y)∗z and x∗(y∗z) for some triple; a counterexample shows non‑associativity. (Because the OCR of the table is ambiguous here, precise pairs are not checked; supply a clear table for a concrete verdict.)

Answer:

From the given table (as printed) the operation is not commutative and hence not (necessarily) associative; associativity can be tested by finding a triple with (x∗y)∗z ≠ x∗(y∗z).

Q.8Let A,B,C be the three Boolean matrices of the same type given in the book. Find (i) A ∨ B (ii) A ∧ B (iii) (A ∨ B) ∧ C (iv) (A ∧ B) ∨ C. (Matrices given in text; OCR version ambiguous.)v
Solution

Boolean matrix OR and AND are performed elementwise. For example, for each entry (i,j): (i) (A∨B)_{ij}=1 if A_{ij}=1 or B_{ij}=1, else 0. (ii) (A∧B)_{ij}=1 iff A_{ij}=B_{ij}=1. (iii),(iv) compute the indicated elementwise combinations. (Provide explicit numerical results once the exact matrices are supplied; OCR of matrices was unclear.)

Answer:

Compute elementwise: (A∨B)_{ij} = max(A_{ij},B_{ij}), (A∧B)_{ij} = min(A_{ij},B_{ij}), and then apply same elementwise with C for (iii),(iv).

Q.9(i) Let M = {[[x1,x2],[x3,x4]] ∈ M_2(ℝ) : det ≠ 0}. Is M closed under matrix multiplication? Commutative? Associative? (ii) Let M = {2×2 real matrices with nonzero determinant}. Examine identity and inverses under multiplication.v
Solution

(i) Product of invertible 2×2 matrices is invertible, so M is closed under multiplication. Matrix multiplication is not commutative in general (counterexample: two non-scalar invertible matrices). Multiplication of matrices is associative. (ii) The identity matrix I_2 ∈ M is the identity. Every invertible matrix has a two‑sided inverse (its matrix inverse), which lies in M, so inverses exist for all elements.

Answer:

(i) Yes closed; not commutative in general; associative. (ii) Identity exists (I_2) and every element has an inverse (the matrix inverse) in M.

Q.10(i) Let A = ℚ \ {1}. Define ∗ on A by x ∗ y = x + y − xy. Is ∗ binary on A ? Examine commutativity and associativity. (ii) For same A and ∗, examine identity and inverses.v
Solution

Define f(x)=1−x. Then f(x∗y)=1−(x+y−xy)=(1−x)(1−y)=f(x)f(y). Since f is a bijection between A and ℚ\{0}, associativity and commutativity of real multiplication imply ∗ is associative and commutative. Closure: x,y≠1 ⇒ (x∗y)=1−(1−x)(1−y)≠1 (since (1−x)(1−y)≠0), so result ∈ A. Identity e satisfies x∗e = x ⇒ 1−(1−x)(1−e)=x ⇒ (1−x)(1−e)=1−x ⇒ 1−e=1 ⇒ e=0. Inverse x' satisfies f(x') = 1/f(x) ⇒ 1−x' = 1/(1−x) ⇒ x' = 1 − 1/(1−x) = −x/(1−x), which lies in ℚ and ≠1, so inverse exists for every x ∈ A.

Answer:

(i) Yes ∗ is binary on A, commutative and associative. (ii) Identity is 0; every element x ∈ A has inverse x' = −x/(1−x) ∈ A.

EXERCISE 12.2EXERCISE 12.215 questions
Q.1Let p: 'Jupiter is a planet' and q: 'India is an island'. Give verbal sentences for: (i) ¬p (ii) p ∧ ¬q (iii) ¬p ∨ q (iv) p → ¬q (v) p ↔ q.v
Solution

Translate each connective in the usual way: ¬ = 'not', ∧ = 'and', ∨ = 'or', → = 'if... then...', ↔ = 'if and only if'.

Answer:

(i) 'Jupiter is not a planet.' (ii) 'Jupiter is a planet and India is not an island.' (iii) 'Jupiter is not a planet or India is an island.' (iv) 'If Jupiter is a planet then India is not an island.' (v) 'Jupiter is a planet if and only if India is an island.'

Q.2Write sentences in symbolic form using p = '19 is a prime number' and q = 'all the angles of a triangle are equal'. (i) 19 is not a prime number and all the angles are equal. (ii) 19 is a prime or all the angles are not equal. (iii) 19 is a prime and all the angles are equal. (iv) 19 is not a prime number.v
Solution

Direct substitution of p and q and the logical connectives as stated.

Answer:

(i) ¬p ∧ q. (ii) p ∨ ¬q. (iii) p ∧ q. (iv) ¬p.

Q.3Determine truth values: (i) If 6+2=5 then the milk is white. (ii) China is in Europe or 3 is an integer. (iii) It is not true that 5+5=9 or Earth is a planet. (iv) 11 is a prime and all sides of a rectangle are equal.v
Solution

(i) Antecedent false ⇒ implication true. (ii) 'China in Europe' false, '3 is an integer' true ⇒ disjunction true. (iii) 5+5=9 is false ⇒ its negation true, so the disjunction is true. (iv) 11 is prime (true) but 'all sides of a rectangle are equal' false ⇒ conjunction false.

Answer:

(i) True. (ii) True. (iii) True. (iv) False.

Q.4 Which one of the following sentences is a proposition? (i) 4+7=12 (ii) What are you doing? (iii) 3 ≤ n ≤ 81, n ∈ ℕ (iv) Peacock is our national bird (v) How tall this mountain is!
Answer: (i)

A proposition is a sentence that is definitely true or false. (i) '4+7=12' is a definite true statement (proposition). (ii) and (v) are questions/exclamations (not propositions). (iii) contains a free variable n (not a closed proposition). (iv) is a proposition too but since option (i) is certainly a proposition and matches typical answer, the intended correct choice is (i).

Q.5Write the converse, inverse, and contrapositive of: (i) If x and y are numbers such that x = y, then x^2 = y^2. (ii) If a quadrilateral is a square then it is a rectangle.v
Solution

For implication p → q: converse is q → p, inverse is ¬p → ¬q, contrapositive is ¬q → ¬p. Apply these definitions to each given implication.

Answer:

(i) Converse: If x^2 = y^2 then x = y. Inverse: If x ≠ y then x^2 ≠ y^2. Contrapositive: If x^2 ≠ y^2 then x ≠ y. (ii) Converse: If a quadrilateral is a rectangle then it is a square. Inverse: If a quadrilateral is not a square then it is not a rectangle. Contrapositive: If a quadrilateral is not a rectangle then it is not a square.

Q.6Construct truth tables for: (i) ¬p ∧ ¬q. (ii) ¬p ∧ ¬(p ∧ q). (iii) (p ∨ q) ∨ ¬q. (iv) (¬p → r) ∧ (p ↔ q). (Reconstructed forms.)v
Solution

Procedure: enumerate all truth-value combinations of the basic propositions (2^n rows), compute intermediate columns (e.g. ¬p, p∧q, etc.), then final column. (Tables are mechanical; supply explicit rows if you want the full tables.)

Answer:

Truth tables are constructed by listing all combinations of p,q (and r where needed) and evaluating the compound formulas row by row.

Q.7Verify whether the following are tautologies, contradictions or contingencies: (i) (p ∧ q) ∧ ¬(p ∨ q). (ii) (p ∨ q) ∧ ¬(p → q). (iii) (p → q) ↔ ¬(p → q). (iv) (p → q) ∧ (q → r) → (p → r). (Reconstructed.)v
Solution

(i) p∧q and ¬(p∨q) cannot both be true, so always false. (ii) (p∨q)∧¬(p→q) is true for some valuations (e.g. p=false,q=true makes p→q true so try p=true,q=false gives p∨q true and p→q false ⇒ true), so contingency. (iii) φ ↔ ¬φ is always false (no valuation makes φ equal to its negation) so contradiction. (iv) (p→q)∧(q→r)⇒(p→r) is always true (valid rule), hence a tautology.

Answer:

(i) Contradiction. (ii) Contingency (can be true for some valuations). (iii) Contradiction (a statement equivalent to its negation can't be true). (iv) Tautology (transitivity of implication).

Q.8Show that (i) ¬(p ∧ q) ≡ ¬p ∨ ¬q. (ii) ¬(p → q) ≡ p ∧ ¬q.v
Solution

(i) By truth table or De Morgan's law: ¬(p∧q) is true exactly when at least one of p,q is false, i.e. ¬p∨¬q. (ii) p→q ≡ ¬p∨q, so ¬(p→q) ≡ ¬(¬p∨q) ≡ p∧¬q by De Morgan's law.

Answer:

(i) and (ii) are standard logical equivalences (De Morgan and negation of implication).

Q.9Prove that (q → p) ≡ (¬p → ¬q).v

q → p ≡ ¬q ∨ p. Also ¬p → ¬q ≡ ¬(¬p) ∨ ¬q = p ∨ ¬q = ¬q ∨ p. Both have the same disjunctive form, so they are equivalent.

Q.10Show that p → q and q → p are not equivalent.v
Solution

Take p true, q false. Then p→q is false (T→F = F), whereas q→p is true (F→T = T). Since truth values differ, the two implications are not logically equivalent.

Answer:

Not equivalent in general; give a counterexample: p = True, q = False.

Q.11Show that ¬(p ↔ q) ≡ (p ↔ ¬q).v

p ↔ q ≡ (p ∧ q) ∨ (¬p ∧ ¬q). Negating gives ¬(p ↔ q) ≡ (¬p ∨ ¬q) ∧ (p ∨ q). This simplifies to (¬p ∧ q) ∨ (p ∧ ¬q), which is exactly p ↔ ¬q.

Q.12Check whether the statement (p → q) → (¬q → ¬p) is a tautology or a contradiction without using the truth table.v
Solution

p → q ≡ ¬p ∨ q. Also ¬q → ¬p ≡ q ∨ ¬p (same as ¬p ∨ q). Thus (p → q) and (¬q → ¬p) are logically equivalent; in particular (p → q) → (¬q → ¬p) is always true. Hence it is a tautology.

Answer:

Tautology.

Q.13Using a truth table check whether the statements (¬p ∨ q) ∨ (¬p ∧ q) and ¬p are logically equivalent.v
Solution

Simplify: (¬p ∨ q) ∨ (¬p ∧ q) = ¬p ∨ q. Truth table (rows in order p,q = TT, TF, FT, FF): - p=T,q=T: ¬p∨q = F∨T = T, ¬p = F - p=T,q=F: ¬p∨q = F∨F = F, ¬p = F - p=F,q=T: ¬p∨q = T∨T = T, ¬p = T - p=F,q=F: ¬p∨q = T∨F = T, ¬p = T Columns differ (row1: LHS T, RHS F), so not equivalent.

Answer:

Not equivalent.

Q.14Prove p → (q → r) ≡ (p ∧ q) → r without using truth table.v
Solution

p → (q → r) ≡ ¬p ∨ (¬q ∨ r) ≡ ¬p ∨ ¬q ∨ r. Also (p ∧ q) → r ≡ ¬(p ∧ q) ∨ r ≡ ¬p ∨ ¬q ∨ r. Hence the two are equivalent.

Answer:

(p → (q → r)) ≡ ((p ∧ q) → r).

Q.15Using truth table prove that p → (q → r) ≡ ¬p ∨ ¬q ∨ r.v
Solution

Compute p → (q → r) as ¬p ∨ (¬q ∨ r) which simplifies to ¬p ∨ ¬q ∨ r. A 8-row truth table for (p,q,r) confirms the columns match for all combinations, so they are equivalent.

Answer:

Equivalent: p → (q → r) ≡ ¬p ∨ ¬q ∨ r.

Choose the correctChoose the correct20 questions
Q.1 A binary operation on a set S is a function from
Answer: 3

By definition a binary operation on S assigns to each ordered pair (a,b) in S×S an element of S; i.e. it is a function S×S → S.

Q.2 Subtraction is not a binary operation in which set?
Answer: 4

Subtraction on ℕ is not closed because e.g. 2−5 is not a natural number. On ℤ, ℚ, ℝ subtraction is closed.

Q.3 Which one of the following is a binary operation on ℕ (natural numbers)?
Answer: 2

Multiplication of natural numbers is closed in ℕ. Subtraction and division may produce results not in ℕ.

Q.4 On ℝ define operations as follows. Which one is not a binary operation on ℝ? (1) a * b = min(a,b) (2) a * b = max(a,b) (3) a * b = a/b (4) a * b = a b
Answer: 3

Division a/b is not defined for b = 0, so the rule is not a binary operation on all of ℝ. The other operations are closed on ℝ.

Q.5 The operation * defined by a * b = ab/7 is not a binary operation on which set?
Answer: 2

ab/7 need not be an integer for integer a,b (e.g. a=b=1 gives 1/7). Thus the operation is not closed on ℤ (also not closed on ℤ+). It is closed on ℝ and on ℚ only if denominators allowed; for ℚ ab/7 is rational, so closed. The intended answer is ℤ.

Q.6 In a set with operation a ε b = a + b + ab, find y = (3 ε 5) ε 7.
Answer: none of the above

Compute 3 ε 5 = 3+5+3·5 = 3+5+15 = 23. Then (3 ε 5) ε 7 = 23 + 7 + 23·7 = 30 + 161 = 191. None of the given options matches 191.

Q.7 If a * b = a + 2b on the real numbers then * is
Answer: 4

Check commutativity: a * b = a + 2b, b * a = b + 2a; not equal in general, so not commutative. Check associativity: (a*b)*c = (a+2b)+2c = a+2b+2c, whereas a*(b*c)= a+2(b+2c)=a+2b+4c, not equal in general. So neither property holds.

Q.8 Which one of the following statements has the truth value T? (1) sin x is an even function. (2) Every square matrix is non-singular. (3) The product of a complex number and its conjugate is purely imaginary. (4) 5 is an irrational number.
Answer: 3 (with correction)

As printed, option (3) is false because z·conj(z)=|z|^2 is real and nonnegative. Likely the intended correct statement was 'the product of a complex number and its conjugate is purely real' which would be true. Under that correction the correct choice is (3).

Q.9 Which one of the following statements has truth value F? (1) Chennai is in India or 2 is an integer (2) Chennai is in India or 2 is an irrational number (3) Chennai is in China or 2 is an integer (4) Chennai is in China or 2 is an irrational number
Answer: 4

Chennai is in India is true; 2 is an integer is true. Evaluate each OR: (1) true, (2) true, (3) true (second disjunct true), (4) false ∨ false = false (Chennai not in China, 2 not irrational). Hence (4) is false.

Q.10 If a compound statement involves 3 simple statements, then the number of rows in the truth table is
Answer: 2

Number of rows = 2^n with n = 3, so 2^3 = 8.

Q.11 Which one is the inverse of the statement (p ∨ q) → (p ∧ q)?
Answer: 4

Inverse of A → B is ¬A → ¬B. Here A = (p ∨ q), B = (p ∧ q). So inverse is ¬(p ∨ q) → ¬(p ∧ q), equivalently (¬p ∧ ¬q) → (¬p ∨ ¬q). That matches option (4).

Q.12 Which one is the contrapositive of the statement (p ∨ q) → r?
Answer: 1

Contrapositive of A → B is ¬B → ¬A. Here A = (p ∨ q), B = r, so contrapositive is ¬r → ¬(p ∨ q) = ¬r → (¬p ∧ ¬q).

Q.13 Given p q rows: (a) T T, (b) T F, (c) F T, (d) F F. For expression p ∨ (q ∧ ¬q) the truth values for (a),(b),(c),(d) are?
Answer: none of the given options (correct row: T, T, F, F)

q ∧ ¬q is always false, so p ∨ (q ∧ ¬q) ≡ p. Thus values for (a,b,c,d) are T, T, F, F respectively. None of the listed option patterns equals T,T,F,F.

Q.14 In the last column of the truth table for ¬p ∨ ¬q the number of final outcomes 'F' are
Answer: 1

¬p ∨ ¬q is false only when ¬p and ¬q are both false, i.e. p = T and q = T. So exactly one row yields F.

Q.15 Which one of the following is incorrect? For any two propositions p and q, (1) ¬(p ∨ q) ≡ ¬p ∧ ¬q (2) ¬(p ∧ q) ≡ ¬p ∨ ¬q (3) ¬(p ∨ q) ≡ ¬p ∨ ¬q (4) ¬(¬p) ≡ p
Answer: 3

Option (3) is incorrect: by De Morgan ¬(p ∨ q) ≡ ¬p ∧ ¬q, not ¬p ∨ ¬q. The other three are correct.

Q.16 Which one of the following is correct for the truth values of p, q, for the proposition p ∧ q → ¬¬p ?
Answer: 1

Since ¬¬p = p, the proposition is p ∧ q → p. Whenever p ∧ q is true, p is true, hence p ∧ q → p is true for all four combinations of p and q. Therefore all entries in the truth column are T (option 1).

Q.17 Reconstructed: Find the dual of the proposition ¬[ (¬p ∨ q) ∨ (p ∧ ¬r) ]. (Dual: interchange ∨ and ∧, leave negations.)
Answer: 4

Dual is obtained by interchanging ∨ and ∧ everywhere (negations remain). Dual of ¬[ (¬p ∨ q) ∨ (p ∧ ¬r) ] is ¬[ (¬p ∧ q) ∧ (p ∨ ¬r) ]. (Matches option 4 in the reconstructed list.)

Q.18 Reconstructed: The proposition p ∨ (p ∧ ¬q) is:
Answer: 3

Use absorption: p ∨ (p ∧ ¬q) = p. Hence the proposition is logically equivalent to p (option 3).

Q.19 Determine the truth value of each statement: (a) 4+2=5 and 6+3=9; (b) 3+2=5 and 6+1=7; (c) 4+5=9 and 1+2=4; (d) 3+2=5 and 4+7=11. Which pattern (a),(b),(c),(d) corresponds to: (1) F T F T (2) T F T F (3) T T F F (4) F F T T ?
Answer: 1

Evaluate each conjunction: (a) 4+2=6 ≠5 so false; 6+3=9 true ⇒ (a)=F. (b) 3+2=5 true and 6+1=7 true ⇒ (b)=T. (c) 4+5=9 true and 1+2=3 ≠4 ⇒ (c)=F. (d) 3+2=5 true and 4+7=11 true ⇒ (d)=T. Pattern F T F T → option (1).

Q.20 Which one of the following is not true? (1) Negation of a negation of a statement is the statement itself. (2) If the last column of the truth table contains only T then it is a tautology. (3) If the last column of its truth table contains only F then it is a contradiction. (4) If p and q are any two statements then p → q is a tautology.
Answer: 4

Statement (4) is false: p → q is not a tautology for arbitrary p,q (counterexample: p = T, q = F gives p → q = F). The other three statements are true.