class rules

❑ RULE #1: ❑ RULE #3:

❑ RULE #2: ❑ RULE #4:

course outline (GE Math 1)
Chapter 1 – The Nature of Mathematics
Chapter 2 – Mathematical Langauge and Symbols
Chapter 3 – The Language of Sets
Chapter 4 – Functions and Relations
Chapter 5 – Logic and Conditional Statements
Chapter 6 – Problem Solving and Reasoning
Chapter 7 – Statistics
Chapter 8 – Graph Theory
Chapter 9 – Modular Arithmetic
Chapter 10 – Cryptology
CHAPTER 6a.
PROBLEM SOLVING
AND REASONING–
Inductive and Deductive
Reasoning

Core Idea
“Mathematics is not just about numbers;
much of it is problem solving and reasoning.”
learning objectives
1. become familiar of the problem solving heuristics and
be able to identify the strategy most appropriate for
the problem;
2. use problem-solving strategies to investigate and
understand mathematical content;
3. acquire skill in developing and applying a variety of
strategies to solve problems; and
4. verify and generalize results with respect to the original
problem situation.
challenge… The Monty Hall Problem

1 2 3

❑ Suppose you choose Door 1.

❑ Monty Hall reveals a goat behind Door 3.
❑ You can stay with Door 1 or switch to Door 2.
Which choice will give a better chance of winning?
A B C
A B C

1/3 2/3 2/3

INDUCTIVE REASONING
It is the process of reaching a general conclusion
by examining specific examples.

In this types of reasoning, conclusion is formed

based on the examination of specific examples.

Here, the conclusion formed by inductive

reasoning is conjecture, which might be true or
not.
INDUCTIVE REASONING

Example. Predicting a Number

Use inductive reasoning to predict the next
number in each of the following lists.
a. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, __, __, __,…?
Answers: 18, 21, 24,…
b. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, __, __, __,…?
Answers: 21, 28, 36,…
INDUCTIVE REASONING

Example. Making a Conjecture

Consider the procedure: Pick a number. Multiply
the number by 8, add 6 to the product, divide the
sum by 2, and subtract 3.

Conjecture: Such procedure generates a number

that is four times the original number.
INDUCTIVE REASONING

Example. Solving Applied Problems

The table shows some results obtained for
pendulum of various lengths.
Length of pendulum, Period of pendulum, a. If a pendulum has
in units In heartbeats
a length of 49
Historical
1 1 units, what is it background
4 2 period?
Galileo Galilei (1564-
1642) used inductive
9 3 b. If the length of a reasoning to discover
that the time required
16 4 pendulum is for a pendulum to
25 5 quadrupled, what complete one swing,
happens to its called the period of the
pendulum, depends on
36 6 period? the length of a
pendulum .
Practice. On Inductive Reasoning
a. What happens to b. What should be c. Pick a number.
the height of the the height of a Multiply the
tsunami when its tsunami if its number by 9, add
velocity is velocity is 30 feet 15 to the product,
doubled? per second? divide the sum by
3, and subtract 5.
Velocity of tsunami, Height of tsunami,
in feet per second in feet
6 4
d. Predict the next
9 9 numbers in the
12 16 sequence:
15 25 2, 5, 7, 10, 17, 26
18 36
21 49
INDUCTIVE REASONING How many regions
can be formed
with 6 dots on
the circle?
No. of No. of
dots regions
1 1
2 2
3 4
4 8
5 16
6 ?
INDUCTIVE REASONING

✓ Conclusions based on inductive

reasoning may be incorrect.

✓ Inductive reasoning does not

guarantee that a conclusion is
correct.
Just because a pattern holds true
for a few cases, it does not mean
the pattern will continue.
Counterexample
A statement is true provided that it is true in all cases.
A counterexample proves that a statement is false
for at least one case.
Example. Finding a Counterexample
Verify that each is false by finding a counterexample.

For all numbers 𝒙 :

1. 𝑥 > 0 2. 𝑥 2 > 𝑥 3. 𝑥 2 = 𝑥
DEDUCTIVE REASONING Page 59, Example 5

It is the process of reaching a general

conclusion by applying general assumptions,
procedures, or principles.

Example 5. Establish a Conjecture

Consider the procedure: Pick a number. Multiply

the number by 8, add 6 to the product, divide the
sum by 2, and subtract 3.
DEDUCTIVE REASONING Page 60, Example 6

Example. Inductive vs. Deductive

Determine which argument is inductive or deductive.
a. 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.

b. All home improvements cost more than the estimate.

The contractor estimated that my home improvement
will cost $35,000. Thus my home improvement will cost
more than $35,000.
DEDUCTIVE REASONING Page 61, Example 7
Logic puzzles can be solved by deductive reasoning and a
chart that displays the information in a visual manner.
Example. Solving a Logic
Each of four neighbors, Sean, Maria, Sarah, and Brian, has a
different occupation (editor, banker, chef, or dentist). From the
following clues, determine the occupation of each neighbor.
1. Maria gets home from work after the banker but before the
dentist.
2. Sarah, who is the last to get home from work, is not the
editor.
3. The dentist and Sarah leave for work at the same time.
4. The banker lives next door to Brian.
DEDUCTIVE REASONING Page 60, Check your progress 6

Practice.
1. Use deductive reasoning to construct an expression that
represent the procedure: “Pick a number. Multiply the number
by 6, add 10 to the product, divide the sum by 2, and subtract
5.”
2. Determine which argument is inductive and deductive.
a. All Gillian Flynn novels are worth reading. The novel Gone
Girl is a Gillian Flynn novel. Thus, Gone Girl is worth reading.
b. I know I will win a jackpot on this slot machine in the next 10
tries, because it has not paid out any money during the last
45 tries.
DEDUCTIVE REASONING Page 62, Check your progress 7

Practice. Solving a Logic

Brianna, Ryan, Tyler, and Ashley were recently elected as
the class officers (president, vice president, secretary,
treasurer) of the sophomore class at Summit College.
Determine which position each holds.
1. Ashley is younger than the president but older than the
treasurer.
2. Brianna and the secretary are both the same age, and
they are the youngest members of the group.
3. Tyler and the secretary are next neighbors.
End of Discussion…