Problem Solving

Module 3
Logical Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
➢involves making generalizations based on observations or patterns
➢moves from specific observations to broader generalizations
➢conclusions drawn through inductive reasoning, called conjecture, are not
necessarily guaranteed to be true

• Deductive Reasoning
➢ involves reaching a conclusion by applying general assumptions, procedures, or
principles
➢moves from the general to the specific
Inductive Reasoning
Example: Use inductive reasoning to predict the most probable next
number in each of the following lists.
1. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ___
2. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, ___
3. 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, ___
4. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ___
Inductive Reasoning
Example 1: Consider the following procedure: Pick a number. Multiply the
number by 8. Add 6 to the product. Divide the sum by 2, and subtract 3.
Use inductive reasoning to make a conjecture about the relationship between the
size of the resulting number and the size of the original number.
Solution:
2 × 8 = 16 + 6 = 22 ÷ 2 = 11 − 3 = 8
5 × 8 = 40 + 6 = 46 ÷ 2 = 23 − 3 = 20
−1 × 8 = −8 + 6 = −2 ÷ 2 = −1 − 3 = −4
Conjecture: Following the given procedure will produce a number that is four
times the original number.

(page 2, Mathematical Excursions by Aufmann, et.al)

Inductive Reasoning
Example 2: Consider the following procedure: Pick a number. Multiply the
number by 6, add 15 to the product, divide the sum by 3, and subtract 5.
Use inductive reasoning to make a conjecture about the relationship between the
size of the resulting number and the size of the original number.

(page 2, Mathematical Excursions by Aufmann, et.al)

Inductive Reasoning
Example 2: Use inductive reasoning to make a conjecture about the product
of two odd integers.

Solution:
3 × 5 = 15
−7 × 5 = −35
9 × −1 = −9

Conjecture: The product of two odd integers is always odd.

Inductive Reasoning
Example 3: Use the data in the table and
inductive reasoning to answer each of the
Length of Period of
following questions.
Pendulum Pendulum (in
(in units) heartbeats) 1. If a pendulum has a length of 49 units,
what is its period?
1 1
Conjecture: A pendulum with a length of 49
4 2 units will have a period of 7 heartbeats.
9 3
16 4
2. If the length of a pendulum is quadrupled,
25 5 what happens to its period?
36 6 Conjecture: Quadrupling the length of a
pendulum doubles its period.
(page 3, Mathematical Excursions by Aufmann, et.al)
Deductive Reasoning
Example: Use deductive reasoning to show that the following procedure
produces a number that is four times the original number.
Procedure: Pick a number. Multiply the number by 8, add 6 to the product, divide
the sum by 2, and subtract 3.
Solution: Let n represent the original number.
Multiply the number 8: 𝑛 × 8 = 8𝑛
Add 6 to the product: 8𝑛 + 6
8𝑛+6 8𝑛 6
Divide the sum by 2: = + = 4𝑛 + 3
2 2 2
Subtract 3: 4𝑛 + 3 − 3 = 4𝑛
Hence, the procedure produces a number that is four times the original number.

(page 5-6, Mathematical Excursions by Aufmann, et.al)

Deductive Reasoning
Example 2: Use deductive reasoning to show that the following procedure
produces a number that is twice the original number.
Consider the following procedure: Pick a number. Multiply the number by 6, add
15 to the product, divide the sum by 3, and subtract 5.

(page 2, Mathematical Excursions by Aufmann, et.al)

Inductive Reasoning vs Deductive Reasoning
Determine whether each of the following arguments is an example of inductive
or deductive reasoning.
1. Everyone likes gifts for their birthday. I am buying my friend a gift for her
birthday. Therefore, my friend will like the gift.
2. During the past 10 years, a tree has produced plums every other year. Last
year the tree did not produce plums, so this year the tree will produce plums.
3. All John Green novels are worth reading. The novel The Fault in Our Stars is a
John Green novel. Thus The Fault in Our Stars is worth reading.
4. Gilas have won five games in a row. Therefore, Gilas will win their next game.
5. 90% of humans are right-handed. Joe is human, therefore Joe is right-
handed.
Inductive Reasoning vs Deductive Reasoning
Determine whether each of the following arguments is an example of inductive
or deductive reasoning.
1. Everyone likes gifts for their birthday. I am buying my friend a gift for her
birthday. Therefore, my friend will like the gift. (Deductive)
2. During the past 10 years, a tree has produced plums every other year. Last
year the tree did not produce plums, so this year the tree will produce plums.
(Inductive)
3. All John Green novels are worth reading. The novel The Fault in Our Stars is a
John Green novel. Thus The Fault in Our Stars is worth reading. (Deductive)
4. Gilas have won five games in a row. Therefore, Gilas will win their next game.
(Inductive)
5. 90% of humans are right-handed. Joe is human, therefore Joe is right-
handed. (Deductive)
Logic Puzzles
• a puzzle that can be solved through deductive reasoning and a chart that
enables us to display the given information in a visual manner.
Example 1: Rose, Romeo, Ramon, and Remy were named athletes of the year since
they bagged the gold medals in the school district competition for scrabble, chess,
badminton, and volleyball. The following data are known about the athletes:
i. Rose does not play chess.
ii. Romeo’s sister who plays chess is one of the athletes of the year.
iii. Neither Romeo nor Ramon ever tried scrabble.
iv. Ramon dislikes all sports involving a racket.
Determine the sport each athlete plays.
Solution:
Chess Scrabble Badminton Volleyball
Rose
Ramon
Romeo
Remy
Real World Mathematics Elementary Algebra by Bandong & San Jose (2010)
Example 2: Each of the four neighbors, Sean, Maria, Sarah, and Brian, has a different
occupation (editor, banker, chef, or dentist).
i. Maria gets home from work after the banker but before the dentist.
ii. Sarah, who is the last to get home from work, is not the editor.
iii. The dentist and Sarah leave for work at the same time.
iv. The banker lives next door to Brian.
Determine the occupation of each neighbor.
Solution:

Editor Banker Chef Dentist

Sean
Maria
Sarah
Brian
(page 7-8, Mathematical Excursions by Aufmann, et.al)