In: Statistics and Probability
Is the following argument valid? If so, construct a formal proof (direct or indirect). If not, explain why not.
If Alex gets a new job, then he will buy a guitar.
If Alex wins the lottery, then he will buy a guitar.
If Alex goes to Costa Rica, then either Alex got a new job or Alex won the lottery.
Alex goes to Costa Rica.
Therefore, Alex bought a guitar.
The given argument is correct.
Argument is that,
Alex goes to Costa Rica. Therefore, Alex bought a guitar.
Proof: Given that Alex goes to Costa Rica.
We know that if Alex goes to Costa Rica, then either Alex got a new job or Alex won the lottery.
Then we know that in either case, that is either he gets a new job or he wins a lottery then he will buy a guitar. Therefore we can conclude that if Alex goes to Costa Rica then he will surely bye a guitar.
Therefore the given argument is valid.