• Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    2
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    10 months ago

    Better read that one again.

    “If B then A” … “B if and only if A”?

    If Apple then fruit. Is Apple ONLY if it’s a fruit.

    This one actually checks out.

    • Boinkage@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      edit-2
      10 months ago

      If and only if is a biconditional. “b if and only if a” means “if b then a” AND “b only if a”. B only if A here means “It is an apple only if is a fruit”, in other words, “if it is a fruit, it could only be an apple.” Which ain’t right.

      B -> A (if B, then A) (if apple, then fruit, correct)

      B <-> A (B if and only if A) (if apple, then fruit, AND if fruit, then apple, incorrect).

      • Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        10 months ago

        Gotcha. I was reading it aloud: “It’s an Apple if and only if it’s a fruit.” which isn’t wrong, but I guess the technical definition of “If and only if” assumes more than the words imply.