functional calculus

noun

the branch of symbolic logic that includes the sentential calculus and that deals with sentential functions and quantifiers and with logical relations between sentences containing quantifiers.

Also called predicate calculus, predicate logic.

Origin

1930-35

predicate calculus

noun, Logic.

functional calculus.

Also called predicate logic.

Origin

1945-50

British Dictionary definitions for predicate logic

functional calculus

noun

another name for predicate calculus

predicate calculus

noun

the system of symbolic logic concerned not only with relations between propositions as wholes but also with the representation by symbols of individuals and predicates in propositions and with quantification over individuals Also called functional calculus See also propositional calculus

predicate logic in Technology

logic
(Or "predicate calculus") An extension of propositional logic with separate symbols for predicates, subjects, and quantifiers.
For example, where propositional logic might assign a single symbol P to the proposition "All men are mortal", predicate logic can define the predicate M(x) which asserts that the subject, x, is mortal and bind x with the universal quantifier ("For all"):
All x . M(x)
Higher-order predicate logic allows predicates to be the subjects of other predicates.
(2002-05-21)