Biconditionals

Converse: The implication \(Q \implies P\) is called the converse of the implication \(P \implies Q\).

  • True for open sentences too!

Note!

\(P \implies Q\) and \(P \implies Q\) have no logical connection!

The Double Implication (biconditional)

\[ P \iff Q \overset{def}{=} (P \implies Q) \ \wedge (Q \implies P) \]

We say:

  • \(P \iff Q\)
  • \(P\) is equivalent to \(Q\)
  • \(P\) if and only if \(Q\)
  • \(P\) iff \(Q\)
  • Older: \(P\) is necessary and sufficient for \(Q\)

Whenever you're given an English phrasing for double implication, immediately replace it by \(\iff\) and proceed from there.

IMPORTANT: \(P \iff Q = T\) for \(P, Q = (T, T)\) OR \(P, Q = (F, F)\)