If [tex]$x \Rightarrow y$[/tex] and [tex]$y \Rightarrow z$[/tex], which statement must be true?

A. [tex]\neg x \Rightarrow \neg z[/tex]
B. [tex]\neg x \Rightarrow z[/tex]
C. [tex]z \Rightarrow x[/tex]
D. [tex]x \Rightarrow z[/tex]



Answer :

To address the question of which statement must be true given [tex]\(x \Rightarrow y\)[/tex] and [tex]\(y \Rightarrow z\)[/tex], we need to employ the transitive property of implications in logical reasoning. Let’s break it down step-by-step.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. Understand the Definitions and Premises:
- The implication [tex]\(x \Rightarrow y\)[/tex] means that if [tex]\(x\)[/tex] is true, then [tex]\(y\)[/tex] must also be true.
- Similarly, [tex]\(y \Rightarrow z\)[/tex] means that if [tex]\(y\)[/tex] is true, then [tex]\(z\)[/tex] must also be true.

2. Apply the Transitive Property:
- The transitive property in logic states that if [tex]\(A \Rightarrow B\)[/tex] and [tex]\(B \Rightarrow C\)[/tex], then [tex]\(A \Rightarrow C\)[/tex].
- Here, if we take [tex]\(x \Rightarrow y\)[/tex] as [tex]\(A \Rightarrow B\)[/tex] and [tex]\(y \Rightarrow z\)[/tex] as [tex]\(B \Rightarrow C\)[/tex], we can chain these implications together.

3. Chain the Implications:
- From [tex]\(x \Rightarrow y\)[/tex], we have that if [tex]\(x\)[/tex] is true, then [tex]\(y\)[/tex] is true.
- From [tex]\(y \Rightarrow z\)[/tex], we have that if [tex]\(y\)[/tex] is true, then [tex]\(z\)[/tex] is true.
- Combining these, if [tex]\(x\)[/tex] is true, then [tex]\(y\)[/tex] is true, and if [tex]\(y\)[/tex] is true, then [tex]\(z\)[/tex] is true. Therefore, if [tex]\(x\)[/tex] is true, [tex]\(z\)[/tex] must also be true.

4. Conclusion:
- Therefore, the combined implication gives us [tex]\(x \Rightarrow z\)[/tex].

Since [tex]\(x \Rightarrow z\)[/tex] must be true, the correct statement is:
[tex]\( \boxed{4} \)[/tex] or D. [tex]\( x \Rightarrow z \)[/tex]

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