Inductive and Deductive Reasoning Quiz

What type of reasoning involves making generalizations based on specific observations?

• Deductive reasoning

• Inductive reasoning

• Abstract reasoning

• Logical deduction

What is the conclusion of inductive reasoning called, since it may or may not be correct?

• Theorem

• Postulate

• Conjecture

• Law

Which of the following is an example of inductive reasoning?

• All birds have feathers. A sparrow is a bird. Therefore, a sparrow has feathers.

• Every time I eat peanuts, I have an allergic reaction. Therefore, I might be allergic to peanuts.

• The sum of angles in a triangle is always 180°. Therefore, for any given triangle, the sum is 180°.

• If x = 3, then 2x = 6.

Which of this best describes deductive reasoning?

• It derives specific conclusions from general statements.

• It makes general statements based on specific observations.

• It does not require a logical foundation.

• It is only used in scientific experiments.

In which scenario is inductive reasoning being used?

• The number 2 is prime, the number 3 is prime, the number 5 is prime; therefore, all odd numbers are prime.

• If it rains, the ground gets wet. It is raining, so the ground must be wet.

• A rectangle has four sides; therefore, all four-sided figures must be rectangles.

• The speed of light is a constant, so any moving object cannot exceed this speed.

Which statement is an example of deductive reasoning?

• Most cats have fur. I have seen several cats without fur. Therefore, some cats do not have fur.

• If all mammals have lungs and dogs are mammals, then dogs must have lungs.

• Every year the temperature drops in December, so this December will be cold.

• I noticed that the sun rises in the east every morning, so it will rise in the east tomorrow.

What is a counterexample in inductive reasoning?

• A case that contradicts a general statement and proves it false

• A verified proof of a mathematical statement

• A logical argument supporting a conjecture

• A process used to confirm a pattern

Which of the following best represents a counterexample?

• All squares have four sides, so rectangles must also be squares.

• Every prime number is odd; however, 2 is a prime number that is even.

• The Earth is round, and all planets must be round.

• Since 3 × 5 = 15, all numbers are divisible by 5.

What pattern is observed in the sequence: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, ...?

• Each number is obtained by multiplying the previous number by 2.

• Each number is obtained by adding 2 to the previous number.

• Each number is the result of subtracting 2 from the previous number.

• Each number is a multiple of 3.

Which of the following sequences follows an arithmetic pattern?

• 3, 6, 9, 12, 15

• 2, 4, 8, 16, 32

• 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13

• 2, 5, 10, 17, 26