Reasoning
Leonard P. Reyes Jr.
Objectives
• Differentiate inductive reasoning from deductive reasoning.
• Use this reasoning to justify statements and arguments made about
mathematics and mathematical concepts.
• Analyze information to develop reasoning skills and demonstrate
abilities of reason and logic to arrive at a solution.
• Write clear and logical proof.
Reasoning
“Mathematics are not just about numbers; much of it, is problem solving and reasoning.”
Problem solving and reasoning is inseparable.
The art of reasoning is very important in mathematics. This is the skill needed in exemplifying
the critical thinking and problem solving ability.
Logic and reasoning are very useful tools in decision making.
Reasoning is the practice of stating ideas clearly and precisely to arrive at a conclusion.
Kinds of Reasoning
Intuition
Analogy
Inductive Reasoning
Deductive Reasoning
Intuition
Is similar to guessing.
It is also called reasoning by guessing or reasoning by common sense.
It requires less mental activity.
An intuition is the ability to acquire knowledge without proof, evidence or
conscious reasoning or without understanding how the knowledge was acquired .
Intuition is highly subjective.
Different people think about problems in different ways.
It is something that is known or understood without proof or evidence.
Example:
1. Comparing two fractions, with the same denominator.
and
one said, he can subtract numerator from denominator and the smaller difference is
the larger fraction. Is this false intuition?
Example:
Look at the figure below, which is bigger?
You can give your answer by using intuition and without actually
measuring.
Example:
After the first meeting in her GEC 104 class, Mariah says, “I think I will like GEC
104.”
Analogy
Is form of reasoning in which other similarities are inferred from a particular
similarity between two or more things. It is a reasoning by comparison.
Example:
Tree is to leaf as flower is to petal.
Hammer : nail :: comb : hair
Finding a Good Man is like Finding a Needle in a Haystack.
INDUCTIVE REASONING
is the process of gathering specific information, usually through
observation and measurement and then making a conjecture based
on the gathered information.
Example
1, 6, 16, 31, 51, _____.
The first two numbers have a difference of 5. The second and third numbers have a
difference of 10. Continuing this process, the difference of consecutive two numbers is a
multiple of 5. Therefore the next number in the list is 76.
Another Example:
-8, 3, 14, 25, _______.
Example:
Sir Leo is handsome. He is my math teacher. Therefore, all math
teachers are handsome.
I see fireflies in my backyard every summer. This summer, I will
probably see fireflies in my backyard.
I tend to catch colds when people around me are sick. Colds are
infectious.
Counterexamples
A statement is a true statement
provided that it is true in all cases. If you
can find one case for which a statement is
not true, called counterexample, then the
statement is a false statement.
Counterexample
Example 1. Find a counterexample. Verify that each of
the following statements is a false statement by
finding a counterexample. For all number x:
(a) /x/ > 0 (b) (c)
Counterexample
Example 1. Find a counterexample. Verify that each of
the following statements is a false statement by
finding a counterexample. For all number x:
(a) /x/ > 0 (b) (c)
Solution
(a) Is a false statement (0 is not greater than 0, if x = 0)
Counterexample
Example 1. Find a counterexample. Verify that each of
the following statements is a false statement by
finding a counterexample. For all number x:
(a) /x/ > 0 (b) (c)
Solution
(a) Is a false statement (0 is not greater than 0, if x = 0)
(b) Is a false statement (1 is not greater than 1, if x = 1)
Counterexample
Example 1. Find a counterexample. Verify that each of
the following statements is a false statement by finding
a counterexample. For all number x:
(a) /x/ > 0 (b) (c)
Solution
(a) Is a false statement (0 is not greater than 0, if x = 0)
(b) Is a false statement (1 is not greater than 1, if x = 1)
(c) Is a false statement (-3 is not equal to 3, if x = -3)
DEDUCTIVE REASONING
is a process of making specific and truthful conclusions
based on general principles.
Examples:
All members of the club can use the club’s pool. Deanna is a member of
the club. Therefore, Deanna can use the club’s pool.
All numbers are divisible by 3 if the sum of the digits is divisible by 3.
Consider 339. The sum of 3, 3 and 9 is 15. Therefore 339 is divisible by 3.
All mammals have backbones. Humans are mammals. Humans have
backbones.
All birds lay eggs. Pigeons are birds. Pigeons lay eggs.
Every Filipino of age 18 and above can vote. Juan Del Prado is a Filipino of age 24. Therefore,
Juan Del Prado can vote.
Example:
Given: . Solve the equation for Give the reason for each step in the process.
Solution:
, Apply distributive property
, Combine similar terms
, Apply Subtraction property of equality
Apply Addition Property of equality
, Use Division Property of Equality
Mathematical Proofs
A proof is a sequence of true facts (statements) placed in a logical order.
In proving, the following may be used as reasons:
The given information (the hypothesis)
Definition and undefined terms
Algebraic properties
Postulates of geometry
Previously proven geometric conjectures.
Important Properties of Algebra
For real numbers
Reflexive :
Symmetric : if , then
Transitive : if and , then
Substitution : if and , then
Distributive :
Commutative Properties
a. Addition :
b. Multiplication :
Associative Properties
c. Addition :
d. Multiplication :
Addition Properties of Equality (APE)
e. If , then
f. If and then
Multiplication Properties of Equality (MPE)
g. If , then or
h. If and , then or
Example:
Find the value of x in
Statements Reasons
Proof:
Given
Distributive Property
APE
MPE
Simplification
