Concept · Foundations

Necessary and Sufficient Conditions

A necessary condition is one that must hold for the term to apply; a sufficient condition is one whose holding guarantees the term applies. A good definition typically states conditions that are both.

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Why it matters

This pair is the analytic core of rigorous definition construction.

Where this shows up

Units and lessons using this concept

Following the links will take you to the page where this term is introduced in context.

Units (1)

Definitions and Conceptual PrecisionStudents learn what definitions do, how different kinds of definitions serve different purposes, and how to assess definitions for scope,…

Lessons (2)

Capstone: Building, Testing, and Defending a DefinitionDefinitions and Conceptual Precision Constructing and Evaluating DefinitionsDefinitions and Conceptual Precision

Other concepts in Foundations

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