Linkage

[Frassy]

Hi!

I'm working in the Logic Game Bible and on page 41, there's an example on Linkage that I have a quick question on. Why isn't there a W Not Law on 2 and 6 in the example on the bottom of page 41? Any help or guidance anyone could provide is so greatly appreciated!!

Thanks so much in advance!

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Frassy,

Thanks for the question. Let's take a closer look at what is happening there, and see if we can help you out.

The first thing to note is that you are dealing with a not-block, and back on page 21 I noted that not-blocks only tend to come into play once one of the variables has been placed. In this example, X is always placed third or fifth. Since X is always in 3 or 5, W could never go fourth since it would always then be next to X. So, you can see that Not Law there. But, as you ask, why no Not Laws on 2 or 6? It has to do with where X can be during any given solution.

Remember, Not Laws are Globally true, so if we put a W Not Law on 2, we are saying W can never be there. But, if X is fifth, is there anything stopping W from being in 2? No, and hence there is no Not Law there. The same things happens in reverse: if X is in 3, then W can be in 6, and hence no W Not Law on 6.

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!

[Frassy]

Hi Frassy,

Thanks for the question. Let's take a closer look at what is happening there, and see if we can help you out.

The first thing to note is that you are dealing with a not-block, and back on page 21 I noted that not-blocks only tend to come into play once one of the variables has been placed. In this example, X is always placed third or fifth. Since X is always in 3 or 5, W could never go fourth since it would always then be next to X. So, you can see that Not Law there. But, as you ask, why no Not Laws on 2 or 6? It has to do with where X can be during any given solution.

Remember, Not Laws are Globally true, so if we put a W Not Law on 2, we are saying W can never be there. But, if X is fifth, is there anything stopping W from being in 2? No, and hence there is no Not Law there. The same things happens in reverse: if X is in 3, then W can be in 6, and hence no W Not Law on 6.

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!

OK, this makes so much sense to me now, I feel silly for not seeing that!! Thank you so much!!!