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2 1 Inductive Reasoning

This document discusses inductive reasoning and conjectures. It provides examples of: - Using patterns to make conjectures based on observations - Testing conjectures by looking for counterexamples - How finding a single counterexample can disprove a conjecture The key aspects of inductive reasoning are looking for patterns, making conjectures based on those patterns, and testing conjectures through examples or seeking counterexamples. Counterexamples are particularly useful for disproving conjectures.

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gaiyle cortez
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109 views15 pages

2 1 Inductive Reasoning

This document discusses inductive reasoning and conjectures. It provides examples of: - Using patterns to make conjectures based on observations - Testing conjectures by looking for counterexamples - How finding a single counterexample can disprove a conjecture The key aspects of inductive reasoning are looking for patterns, making conjectures based on those patterns, and testing conjectures through examples or seeking counterexamples. Counterexamples are particularly useful for disproving conjectures.

Uploaded by

gaiyle cortez
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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3.

1 Conjectures and
Counterexamples

1
Each circle is divided into twice as
Example #1 many equal regions as the figure
Describe how to sketch the
number. The fourth figure should be
4th figure. Then sketch it.
divided into eighths and the section
just above the horizontal segment
on the left should be shaded.

2
Example #2 Multiply by 3 to get the next
Describe the pattern. Write number in the sequence.
the next three numbers.

-7, - 21, - 63, - 189,... -189 ´ 3 = -567


´3 ´3 ´3 -567 ´ 3 = -1701
-1701´ 3 = -5103

3
Conjecture: conclusion/educated
What is a conjecture? guess made based on
observation
Inductive Reasoning: conjecture
What is inductive reasoning? based on patterns

Proving conjectures TRUE


is very hard.

Proving conjectures FALSE


is much easier.

What is a counterexample? Counterexample: example that shows


How do you disprove a conjecture? a conjecture is false

Steps for Inductive Reasoning


What are the steps for inductive 1. Find pattern.
reasoning? 2.Make a conjecture.
How do you use inductive reasoning? 3.Test your conjecture
or find a counterexample.
4
Inductive Reasoning

For using inductive reasoning, you look for a


pattern and apply it as a rule.

Examples:
1)All ice I have ever observed is cold, therefore
all ice is cold.
2)I have always gotten an A in math class;
therefore, I will get an A in this Math class

5
Example #3
Make and test a conjecture 3 + 4 + 5 = 12 = 4 × 3
about the sum of any 3
consecutive numbers. 6 + 7 + 8 = 21 = 7 × 3
(Consecutive numbers are 8 + 9 + 10 = 27 = 9 × 3
numbers that follow one
after another like 11 + 12 + 13 = 36 = 12 × 3
3, 4, and 5.)
Conjecture:
The sum of any 3 consecutive numbers
is 3 times the middle number.

-1 + 0 + 1 = 0 = 0 × 3
20 + 21 + 22 = 63 = 21× 3
9
Example #4
Make and test a conjecture
about the product of 2 odd
numbers.

Conjecture:
The sum of any 3 consecutive numbers
is 3 times the middle number.

10
Counterexample
What is useful about inductive reasoning? You can use inductive
reasoning to disprove a conjecture by finding a counterexample.

Example: All odd numbers are prime.

We can prove this conjecture false by finding a counterexample,


an odd number that is not prime.

Sample Answer: Here are some numbers you can use to disprove
the conjecture:

9, 15, 1, 21
Example #5
Conjecture: -2 + 0 = -2
sum > larger number
The sum of two numbers is
always greater than the larger -2 < 0
number.
True or false?
A counterexample was found,
so the conjecture is false.

Serra - Discovering Geometry 13


Chapter 2: Reasoning in Geometry
Counterexample
Find a counterexample to show that each conjecture is false.

a) If n is a real number, then –n is a negative number.

Counterexample: n = – 4, then – n = – (– 4) = 4 which is a positive number.


* Any negative real number will make the conjecture false.

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