Write . We derive the two disjunction introduction rules and the disjunction elimination rule without using any disjunction rule inside the derivations.
For left introduction, start with and temporarily assume . The conjunction elimination rule gives , and the negation elimination rule gives . Discharge the temporary conjunction by the negation introduction rule, concluding . For right introduction, start with and use the right conjunction elimination rule to obtain instead. Thus either input derives the required encoded disjunction.
For elimination, suppose is available, together with a derivation of from an additional assumption and a derivation of from an additional assumption . Keep their common external context fixed. Temporarily assume under label . Temporarily assume under label and insert the supplied first branch derivation to obtain . Negation elimination rule gives , so negation introduction rule discharges and gives . Repeat with a temporary assumption under label and the supplied second branch derivation, discharging to obtain .
Conjunction introduction rule now gives . Its negation gives by negation elimination rule. The supplied reductio ad absurdum rule discharges and yields . This discharges the two branch assumptions as required and proves the encoded elimination rule. Its last step uses classical propositional logic; the same encoded elimination principle is not generally available in Intuitionistic propositional logic.
Let abbreviate . Suitable rules areTheir derivations require no new axiom. For introduction, apply the conjunction introduction rule to the two premises, obtaining , which is exactly the abbreviation. For left and right elimination, unfold the abbreviation and apply the corresponding conjunction elimination rule. These are therefore derived rules for the NOR connective.
An equivalent subproof presentation of introduction permits one subproof from assumption to and another from assumption to : use the negation introduction rule to discharge each assumption, then apply the conjunction introduction rule. If elimination is desired in contradiction form, combine the left projection with , or the right projection with , using the negation elimination rule. All these presentations reduce directly to the permitted rules.
Temporarily assume under label . The implication premise and the modus ponens rule yield . Instantiate it at using the universal quantifier elimination rule, obtaining . Its right biconditional elimination rule gives .
Apply the modus ponens rule with the premise to obtain . Together with , negation elimination rule gives . Discharge using the negation introduction rule to conclude . Nothing assumes that the two constant symbols denote different objects; if they denoted the same object, the stated premises would themselves already be inconsistent.
Let be fresh, not free in any of the three universal premises. Universal quantifier elimination rule gives , and . Apply disjunction elimination rule to the last formula.
In the branch, apply disjunction elimination rule to . Its case contradicts by negation elimination rule, and logical falsity elimination rule then gives . Its case already gives that conclusion. Discharge those two inner case assumptions to obtain under the outer assumption. In the outer branch, the modus ponens rule applied to gives directly.
Discharge the two outer case assumptions by disjunction elimination rule. The conclusion now depends only on the universal premises, in which is not free. Universal quantifier introduction rule therefore gives . All case assumptions have been discharged, and the argument requires no classical reductio ad absurdum.
Keep the premise open. Assume , then temporarily assume . Two applications of the implication elimination rule produce and then , contradicting the temporary . Discharge using the negation introduction rule, then discharge using the implication introduction rule.This natural deduction proof uses only the supplied introduction and elimination rules. Line 6 is an application of the negation elimination rule; no classical contradiction principle is needed.