# Predicate Logic and Popular Culture (Part 159): Miranda Lambert

Let $R(x)$ be the proposition “You are running with $x$,” let $G(x)$ be the proposition “$x$ is a girl,” let $T(x)$ be the proposition “$x$ is in town,” and let $f(x)$ measure how fast $x$ is. Translate the logical statement

$R(I) \land G(I) \land T(I) \land \forall x( (G(x) \land T(x) \land x \ne I) \Rightarrow (f(x) < f(I))$.

This matches the key line in one of Miranda Lambert’s hit songs.

Context: Part of the discrete mathematics course includes an introduction to predicate and propositional logic for our math majors. As you can probably guess from their names, students tend to think these concepts are dry and uninteresting even though they’re very important for their development as math majors.

In an effort to making these topics more appealing, I spent a few days mining the depths of popular culture in a (likely futile) attempt to make these ideas more interesting to my students. In this series, I’d like to share what I found. Naturally, the sources that I found have varying levels of complexity, which is appropriate for students who are first learning prepositional and predicate logic.

When I actually presented these in class, I either presented the logical statement and had my class guess the statement in actual English, or I gave my students the famous quote and them translate it into predicate logic. However, for the purposes of this series, I’ll just present the statement in predicate logic first.

# Predicate Logic and Popular Culture (Part 158): Carrie Underwood

Let $H(t)$ the proposition “He hit a woman at time $t$.” Translate the logical statement

$\exists t (H(t) \land \forall s > t (\lnot H(s))$.

This matches one of the climactic lines of a recent country ballad by Carrie Underwood.

Context: Part of the discrete mathematics course includes an introduction to predicate and propositional logic for our math majors. As you can probably guess from their names, students tend to think these concepts are dry and uninteresting even though they’re very important for their development as math majors.

In an effort to making these topics more appealing, I spent a few days mining the depths of popular culture in a (likely futile) attempt to make these ideas more interesting to my students. In this series, I’d like to share what I found. Naturally, the sources that I found have varying levels of complexity, which is appropriate for students who are first learning prepositional and predicate logic.

When I actually presented these in class, I either presented the logical statement and had my class guess the statement in actual English, or I gave my students the famous quote and them translate it into predicate logic. However, for the purposes of this series, I’ll just present the statement in predicate logic first.

# Predicate Logic and Popular Culture (Part 157): Shakira

Let $M(x,t)$ be the proposition “At time $t$ and at place $x$, we are meant to be together.” Translate the logical statement

$\forall t \forall x (M(x,t))$.

This matches the breakout hit song by Shakira.

Context: Part of the discrete mathematics course includes an introduction to predicate and propositional logic for our math majors. As you can probably guess from their names, students tend to think these concepts are dry and uninteresting even though they’re very important for their development as math majors.

In an effort to making these topics more appealing, I spent a few days mining the depths of popular culture in a (likely futile) attempt to make these ideas more interesting to my students. In this series, I’d like to share what I found. Naturally, the sources that I found have varying levels of complexity, which is appropriate for students who are first learning prepositional and predicate logic.

When I actually presented these in class, I either presented the logical statement and had my class guess the statement in actual English, or I gave my students the famous quote and them translate it into predicate logic. However, for the purposes of this series, I’ll just present the statement in predicate logic first.

# Predicate Logic and Popular Culture (Part 156): Doris Day

Let $M(x)$ be the proposition “$x$ is a lover,” and let $L(x,y)$ be the proposition “$x$ loves $y$.” Translate the logical statement

$\forall y (M(y) \rightarrow \forall x (L(x,y)) \land M(I) \land \forall y (L(I,y))$.

This matches the opening words of this wonderful old-time song by Doris Day.

Context: Part of the discrete mathematics course includes an introduction to predicate and propositional logic for our math majors. As you can probably guess from their names, students tend to think these concepts are dry and uninteresting even though they’re very important for their development as math majors.

In an effort to making these topics more appealing, I spent a few days mining the depths of popular culture in a (likely futile) attempt to make these ideas more interesting to my students. In this series, I’d like to share what I found. Naturally, the sources that I found have varying levels of complexity, which is appropriate for students who are first learning prepositional and predicate logic.

When I actually presented these in class, I either presented the logical statement and had my class guess the statement in actual English, or I gave my students the famous quote and them translate it into predicate logic. However, for the purposes of this series, I’ll just present the statement in predicate logic first.

# Predicate Logic and Popular Culture (Part 155): They Might Be Giants

Let $L(x)$ be the proposition “$x$ is lazy,” let $B(x)$ be the proposition “$x" is a boyfriend," and let$latex C(x)\$ be the proposition “$x$ is preparing to change.” Translate the logical statement

$\forall x (L(x) \land B(x) \Rightarrow C(x))$.

This is the opening line of a recent song by They Might Be Giants.

Context: Part of the discrete mathematics course includes an introduction to predicate and propositional logic for our math majors. As you can probably guess from their names, students tend to think these concepts are dry and uninteresting even though they’re very important for their development as math majors.

In an effort to making these topics more appealing, I spent a few days mining the depths of popular culture in a (likely futile) attempt to make these ideas more interesting to my students. In this series, I’d like to share what I found. Naturally, the sources that I found have varying levels of complexity, which is appropriate for students who are first learning prepositional and predicate logic.

When I actually presented these in class, I either presented the logical statement and had my class guess the statement in actual English, or I gave my students the famous quote and them translate it into predicate logic. However, for the purposes of this series, I’ll just present the statement in predicate logic first.

# Predicate Logic and Popular Culture (Part 154): Whitney Houston

Let $D(x)$ the proposition “I want to dance with $x$,” and let $H(x)$ be the proposition with “I want to feel the heat with $x$.” Translate the logical statement

$\exists x (D(x) \land H(x))$.

This matches the chorus of this classic song by Whitney Houston.

Context: Part of the discrete mathematics course includes an introduction to predicate and propositional logic for our math majors. As you can probably guess from their names, students tend to think these concepts are dry and uninteresting even though they’re very important for their development as math majors.

In an effort to making these topics more appealing, I spent a few days mining the depths of popular culture in a (likely futile) attempt to make these ideas more interesting to my students. In this series, I’d like to share what I found. Naturally, the sources that I found have varying levels of complexity, which is appropriate for students who are first learning prepositional and predicate logic.

When I actually presented these in class, I either presented the logical statement and had my class guess the statement in actual English, or I gave my students the famous quote and them translate it into predicate logic. However, for the purposes of this series, I’ll just present the statement in predicate logic first.

# Peer-reviewed math and science journal for kids

I’m filing this away for future reference: a peer-reviewed journal for explaining advanced concepts in science and mathematics to kids… and the peer reviewers are the kids.

Journal: https://kids.frontiersin.org/

# Incredibly difficult math puzzle

For math/puzzle enthusiasts (as well for as my own future reference): This was one of the most diabolically difficult puzzles that I’ve ever seen. The object: use the numbers 1-9 exactly once in each row and column while ensuring that the given arithmetical operation in each cage is also correct. Here it is. Fair warning: while most MathDoku+ puzzles take me 20-40 minutes to solve, this one took me over 3 hours (spread out over 5 days).

# Solutions to Exercises in Math Textbooks

I read a very thought-provoking blog post on the pros and cons of having answers in the back of math textbooks. The article and comments on the article are worth reading.

https://blogs.ams.org/bookends/2017/10/11/solutions-to-exercises-in-math-textbooks/