Template:Short description {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} In logic, a predicate is a symbol that represents a property or a relation. For instance, in the first-order formula <math>P(a)</math>, the symbol <math>P</math> is a predicate that applies to the individual constant <math>a</math>. Similarly, in the formula <math>R(a,b)</math>, the symbol <math>R</math> is a predicate that applies to the individual constants <math>a</math> and <math>b</math>.
According to Gottlob Frege, the meaning of a predicate is exactly a function from the domain of objects to the truth values "true" and "false".
In the semantics of logic, predicates are interpreted as relations. For instance, in a standard semantics for first-order logic, the formula <math>R(a,b)</math> would be true on an interpretation if the entities denoted by <math>a</math> and <math>b</math> stand in the relation denoted by <math>R</math>. Since predicates are non-logical symbols, they can denote different relations depending on the interpretation given to them. While first-order logic only includes predicates that apply to individual objects, other logics may allow predicates that apply to collections of objects defined by other predicates.
Predicates in different systemsEdit
A predicate is a statement or mathematical assertion that contains variables, sometimes referred to as predicate variables, and may be true or false depending on those variables’ value or values.
- In propositional logic, atomic formulas are sometimes regarded as zero-place predicates.<ref name=lavrov>Template:Cite book</ref> In a sense, these are nullary (i.e. 0-arity) predicates.
- In first-order logic, a predicate forms an atomic formula when applied to an appropriate number of terms.
- In set theory with the law of excluded middle, predicates are understood to be characteristic functions or set indicator functions (i.e., functions from a set element to a truth value). Set-builder notation makes use of predicates to define sets.
- In autoepistemic logic, which rejects the law of excluded middle, predicates may be true, false, or simply unknown. In particular, a given collection of facts may be insufficient to determine the truth or falsehood of a predicate.
- In fuzzy logic, the strict true/false valuation of the predicate is replaced by a quantity interpreted as the degree of truth.
See alsoEdit
- Classifying topos
- Free variables and bound variables
- Multigrade predicate
- Opaque predicate
- Predicate functor logic
- Predicate variable
- Truthbearer
- Truth value
- Well-formed formula