Question

Which of the following are examples of a proposition? Explain why each is a proposition.

a) "The sky is blue."
b) "2 + 2 = 5."
c) "It might rain tomorrow."
d) "Go to bed early for good health."

Answer 1

A proposition is a statement that can be objectively verified as true or false. Examples of propositions given include 'The sky is blue,' which is verifiable, and '2 + 2 = 5,' which can be proven false. The possibility of rain tomorrow is not a clear-cut proposition, and 'Go to bed early for good health' is not a proposition because it suggests an action, not a verifiable claim.

Step-by-step explanation:

A proposition is a declarative statement that is either true or false. In the context of this question, we are examining which of the given sentences are examples of propositions and explaining why.

1. "The sky is blue." - This is a proposition because it is a statement that can be objectively verified as true or false, depending on the state of the sky.
2. "2 + 2 = 5." - This is a proposition, as it makes a definitive claim about the sum of two numbers, which can be proven false.
3. "It might rain tomorrow." - This is not a classic example of a proposition since it suggests a possibility rather than a definitive claim that can be immediately adjudicated as true or false. However, after tomorrow passes, one could verify whether it did rain or not, giving it a post-facto truth value.
4. "Go to bed early for good health." - This is more of an imperative sentence or advice rather than a proposition, as it isn't declarative but rather suggesting a course of action.

Therefore, sentences that can be confirmed or disproven by evidence or factual information are usually considered propositions.