• Boinkage@lemmy.world
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    2 years 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
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      2 years 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.

      • Boinkage@lemmy.world
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        2 years ago

        I agree, if and only if trips me up too and it doesn’t fit perfectly into this logic formula. A thing is only an apple if and only if it is a fruit makes sense if you read it in a common sense way.