Logical conditional (original) (raw)

In logical calculus of mathematics, logical conditional is a binary logical operator connecting two statements, if p then q where p is a hypothesis (or antecedent) and q is a conclusion (or consequent). The operator is denoted using an left-arrow "→".

The hypothesis is sometimes also called necessary condition for the conclusion, while the conclusion may be called sufficient condition for the hypothesis.

It is defined using the following truth table:

p q p → q
T T T
T F F
F T T
F F T

In the case that the hypothesis is true, the result is the same as conclusion. Otherwise, the whole statement is true regardless the value of conclusion.