If and only if
↔ ⇔ ≡ Logical symbols representing
iff In logic and related fields such as mathematics and philosophy,
if and only if is a biconditional logical connective between statements. In that it is biconditional, the connective can be likened to the standard material conditional combined with its reverse; hence the name. The result is that the truth of either one of the connected statements requires the truth of the other, i.e., either both statements are true, or both are false. It is controversial whether the connective thus defined is properly rendered by the English "if and only if", with its pre-existing meaning. There is nothing to stop one from
stipulating that we may read this connective as "only if and if", although this may lead to confusion. In writing, phrases commonly used, with debatable propriety, as alternatives to P "if and only if" Q include
Q is necessary and sufficient for P,
P is equivalent to Q,
P precisely if Q,
P precisely when Q,
P exactly in case Q, and
P just in case Q. Many authors regard "iff" as unsuitable in formal writing; others use it freely.