Conditional statements
MathDefinition
A conditional statement is a logical statement in the form 'if p, then q' (written p → q), where p is the hypothesis and q is the conclusion. Related forms include the converse (q → p), inverse (¬p → ¬q), and contrapositive (¬q → ¬p).
Examples
- If a shape is a square, then it has four right angles
- The contrapositive of 'if it rains, then the ground is wet' is 'if the ground is not wet, then it did not rain'
- If an animal is a dog, then it is a mammal
Key Fact
A conditional and its contrapositive always have the same truth value.
Study This Concept
Practice conditional statements with free review games in these units: