I am currently a Philosophy student taking a logic course and I am confused about the concept of null quantification. And the LPL textbook, which we are using in class, introduces the idea, but it does not show much beyond basic examples such as the following: $$∀x \,P ⇔ P \text{ or } ∀x\, (P ∨ Q(x)) ⇔ P ∨ ∀x\, Q(x).$$ I can understand both of those examples as they are fairly intuitive, however, in the homework that my teacher assigned, I came across two proofs with the following format:

1st

Premise: $$∃x\, (P(x) → Q(a))$$

Goal: $$∀x\, P(x) → Q(a)$$

2nd

Premise: $$∀x\, P(x) → Q(a)$$

Goal: $$∃x\, (P(x) → Q(a))$$

I have no idea how to begin filling out the second proof. I did some research online and I found that this proof follows the form $$∃x\, (ϕ(x) → ψ) ⇔ ∀x\, ϕ(x) → ψ$$ (where $$x$$ does not occur as a free variable in $$ψ$$). I have been able to prove the first problem pretty easily in about 7 steps, but I have no idea how to approach the second one.

I know that I will have to prove that $$P(x) → Q(a)$$ so I can introduce the existential quantifier, but I am lost as to how I can go about doing that. The second problem seems substantially harder than the first problem, am I missing something?

Edit: I am one step away from solving this problem, however, why does my proof for De Morgan's not work? I thought this was the correct usage of the universal signifier intro.

• Perhaps the following link will be helpful => m.logic-text.eu/3.7.LogicalTransformationInPL.html Dec 1 '21 at 4:18
• Yes, the second proof is harder: I used $7$ lines for Proof 1 too, but $14$ lines for Proof 2. Dec 1 '21 at 6:02
• @ryang how did you do it in 14 steps? I am currently on like step 30 and I am not sure if I am getting anywhere. Dec 1 '21 at 6:35
• Perhaps show your aforementioned seven or thirty steps? I'm not sure how similar our proof systems are. Dec 1 '21 at 8:14
• @ryang I am using Fitch, and I am not sure how to add pictures to this, I am new to StackExchange. Dec 1 '21 at 8:42

$$(\forall x\phi) \rightarrow \psi$$ is equivalent to $$\exists x(\phi \rightarrow \psi )$$...
These rules can be derived by rewriting the implication $$\phi \rightarrow \psi$$ as $$\lnot \phi \lor \psi$$ and applying the rules for disjunction above.