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The
converse
of a
conditional statement is formed by interchanging the hypothesis and conclusion of the
original statement.
In other words, the parts of the sentence
change places.
The words "if" and "then" do not move. |
Example:
Conditional:
"If the space shuttle was launched,
then a cloud of smoke was
seen."
Converse:
"If a cloud of smoke was seen,
then the space shuttle was
launched."
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HINT:
Try to associate the logical CONVERSE with
Converse™ sneakers --
think of the two parts of the sentence "putting on their
sneakers" and "running" to their new positions.
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**
It
is important to remember that the converse
does NOT necessarily have the same truth value as the original conditional
statement. |
Consider:
Conditional:
"If the space shuttle was launched,
then a cloud of smoke was
seen." This statement is true since the exhaust from the
shuttle creates a cloud of smoke.
Converse:
"If a cloud of smoke was seen,
then the space shuttle was
launched." This statement is not always true since many other
events (a fire, a running herd of buffalo, car exhaust, etc.) could have
caused a cloud of smoke.
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An
interesting fact: The converse has the same truth value as the inverse of the original
statement. The CONVERSE and the INVERSE of the original statement
are
logically
equivalent.
("equivalent" means
"the same")
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A truth
table clearly shows the relationship between the conditional, the
converse, and the inverse:
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