MMWModule3:

PROBLEM SOLVING and REASONING

I. Mathematical patterns and Reasoning

PATTERNS in INDUCTIVE REASONING

Inductive Reasoning is a method of reasoning that starts from particular cases to general conjectures. A
generalization (or answer) is made based on certain observed cases and occurrences. The more individual
cases observed, the better are the chances of making correct generalizations.

Examples:

5• 6 6 •7
If the sum of the first consecutive integers from 1 to 5 is given by = 15 and from 1 through 6 is =
2 2
7 •8
21, then what is the sum of the first consecutive positive integers from 1 through 7 is = 28 without
2
actually adding, 7 as the last digit. Verifying, 1+ 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 = 28. The pattern gives the formula for
the sum of the first n consecutive positive integers from 1 through n as

n •( n+1)
Sum Formula
Sum Formula 1: …+ nn == n •( n+1)
1: 11 ++ 22 ++ …+
2 2
Try determining other patterns for n = 9 by listing first the numbers 1 to 9. Find the middle number and
multiply it by the product of the extremes.

Now try it for n = 10. There would be 2 middle numbers. Get the average and multiply it by the product of
the extremes.

If the sum of the first 5 consecutive positive even integers is 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 + 10 = 30 reduced by factoring to
2( 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5) with 5 as the last digit multiplied by (5 + 1) = 5 (6) gives the same product 30; for n = 7, 2
+ 4 + 6 + 8 + 10 + 12 + 14 = 2 ( 1 + 2 + 3 +4 + 5 + 6 + 7) = 56 or 7 (8) = 56. The formula that can be deduced
from the pattern for the sum of the first n consecutive positive even integers from 2 to n is

Sum
Sum Formula
Formula 2:
2: 22 (1
(1 ++ 22 ++ …
… ++ n)
n) == nn (n
(n ++ 1)
1)

For the sum of the first n consecutive positive odd integers, consider,

n = 1, S1 = 1 n = 2, S2 = 1 + 3 = 4 = n2 n = 3, S3 = 1+ 3 + 5 = 9 = 32

Therefore, the formula derived is

Sum Formula 3 = 1 + 3 + 5 + … + n = n2
 Sum Formula 3 = 1 + 3 + 5 + … + n = n2

Numbers in Triangular Form

- to verify Sum of Consecutive Positive Integers

S1 = 1 S2 = 1 + 2=3
S3 = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 S4 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10

Total Number of Squares and Rectangles: given n as the number of 1 x 1 squares

The Total Number of Squares =(n/6) (n + 1)(2n + 1)

The Total Number of Rectangles = [ n(n + 1) 2/2 ]2

= Total No. of Squares + Number of Actual Rectangles
n=3

squares: 1 x 1 =9 Actual No. of rectangles:

3x 3=1 1x 3=6
2x 2=4 2 x 1 = 12
3x 2=4
total of 14 squares total no. of actual
rectangles = 22

since squares are considered

rectangles, then, the total number of rectangles is 14 + 22 = 36

Total Number of Squares = (3/6)(3 + 1)(2(3) + 1) = 3(4)(7)/6 = 2(7) = 14

Total Number of Actual Rectangles = 22
36
2 2 2 2
Total Number of Rectangles = [ 3(3 + 1)/2 ] = [3(4)/2] = [12/2] = 6 = 36
Note that a square is a rectangle (but a rectangle is not a square), so we include rectangles in counting of
squares.

4 rectangles, size 1 x 1

3 rectangles, size 1 x 2

S1 = 1 S2 = 3 S3 = 6 S4 = 10 2 rectangles, size 1 x 3

1 rectangle, size 1 x 4
The sequences formed in S1, S2 and S3 are forms of arithmetic progression since there is a constant
common difference between any two consecutive terms in the sequrnce. The Sum Formula of an
Arithmetic Progression, Sn = (n/2) [2a + (n – 1)d] is used to verify S1 with a =1 and d=1; S2 with a =2
and d = 2; and S3 with a = 1 and d = 2. Substitute the values of a and d.

Mathematical Patterns:

9 x 1 -1 = 8 (0 and one 8) 9 x 54321 - 1 = 488888 (4 and five 8s)

9 x 21 - 1 = 188 (1 and two 8s) 9 x 7654321 -1 = 68888888 (6 and seven 8s)
9 x 321 - 1 = 2888 (2 and three 8s) 9 x 87654321 - 1 = 788888888 (7 and eight 8s)
Using the pattern, the other products can be predicted:

For 9 x 4321, the first digit the second digit from the multiplier 4321 which is 3 followed by four 8s
(3 + 1); thus 38888. For 9 x 654321, the product is 5888888 and for 9 x 987654321, it is 8888888888.

Try to determine the pattern for 8 using same multipliers: 8 x 54321 – 1 = 434567; 8 x 7654321 – 1 =
61234567; 8 x 654321 = 5234567; 8 x 87654321 – 1 = 701234567

Exercises: 1) 123456789 x 09 = 1111111101; 123456789 x 18 = 2222222202; 123456789 x 27 =

3333333303; is 123456789 x 36 equal to 4444444404; what is 123456789 x 45?

2) 11 x11 = 121; 111 x 111 = 12321; 1111 x 1111 = 1234321

3) 12 = 13; (1 + 2)2 = (1 + 2)3; (1 + 2 + 3)2 = (1 + 2 + 3)3

Note: Test the pattern for a number of combinations. Patterns may change if the number places
involved change; and if the multipliers involve 0 and 10.

Work out the pattern given below and discover that patterns branch out to other patterns.

1x8=8
2 x 8 = 16; 1+6=7
3 x 8 = 24; 2+4=6
… …
6 x 8 = 48; 4 + 8 = 12; 1+2=3
… … …
8 x 8 = 64; 6 + 4 = 10; 1+0=1
9 x 8 = 72; 7+2=9
10 x 8 = 80; 8+0=8
11 x 8 = 88; 8 + 8 = 16; 1+6=7
12 x 8 = 96; 9 + 6 = 15 1+5=6
13 x 8 = 104; 10 + 4 = 14; 1+4=5

Inductive Reasoning is used to predict the next number in a given series or sequence of numbers.
Three kinds of well=known series are:

a. 10, 7, 4, 1 that is adding a constant number d, say -3, to a number to obtain the next number; an
arithmetic series
b. 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 that is double the preceding number to obtain the next number; this is a
geometric series. Any two consecutive numbers has a common ratio; say, r = 2 as in the example.

c. 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 that is adding the preceding two numbers to obtain the following number; this
is a Fibonacci Sequence.

Finding the pattern to predict the next number in a series:

1. 1 8 6 13 11 18 16
7 -2 7 -2 7 -2 pattern: add 7 and deduct 2; next
numbers are 23 and 21

2. -5 -3 -1 1 3 5 7
pattern: add 2; next terms are 9 and 11

3. 5 1 -1 -1 5 1 11 19
-4 -2 0 2 4 add 6 add 8 no pattern at this level
2 2 2 2 2 2 pattern: add 2
Next number is obtained by adding the numbers (diagonal) as shown

4. -9 -2 -1 0 7 26 63
7 1 1 7 19 17
-6 0 6 12 18
6 6 6 6 pattern: add 6; next number is 104

Examples of Inductive Reasoning:

1. Cinderella, Fantasia, The Great Mouse Detective and The Rescuers all have one mouse in them, so
all Disney movies feature a mouse.
2. It has rained every day for the past 7 days, and it is raining today as well. So, it will also rain
tomorrow. ( The weather over the past few days is used to predict tomorrow’s weather.)
3. The coin I pulled out from my bag is a penny. Another coin pulled out is a penny and the third coin I
pulled out is again a penny. Therefore, all the coins in the bag are pennies.
4. I get tired if I do not drink coffee. Coffee is addictive. Therefore, I am addicted to coffee.
5. Human beings need breath to live. You are human. You must need breath to live.

Use of Inductive Reasoning in the sum of consecutive odd integers:

1 + 3 + 5 + 7 = 16
II. DEDUCTIVE REASONING

A type of reasoning in logic where ‘a general rule to specific cases or situations’ is applied; that
is, accepted facts or general principles are used to arrive at specific conclusions. This is considered
immediately after inductive reasoning is applied.

Logic is the science of thinking and reasoning correctly. It has the power to influence the
development of ideas. Reasoning, an important aapect of daily life is used in problem solving and
critical thinking.

Examples:
1. Today is Monday (only one premise). Tomorrow is Tuesday 9conclusion)
2. Mario had 100 game cards. His friend gave him 20 more cards. Therefore, he now has 120
game cards.

Note: Any form of mathematical rule with a given specific case or example is a form of deductive
reasoning. 10 + 6 = 16. Therefore, (10 + 6) +3 = 16 + 3.

Syllogism -- an argument composed of two statements or premises, namely, the minor and major
premises. These are followed by a conclusion.

Venn Diagram – a diagram or a powerful illustrative tool used in logic to show or express validity of
arguments:
a) No X are Y indicates two non-intersecting sets.
b) Some A are B indicates union and intersection of two sets ( A ∩ B ).
c) Some C are not D indicates the intersection but the complement of sets ( C – D ).
d) If x, then Y denoted by X → Y means all X are Y

a) X Y b) AX BX c) C d)
X YY D
X

Validity of Arguments:

1. All A are B. X is in A. Therefore, X is in B. (valid argument, refer to case d above)

In all instances, both the premises and the conclusion will always be true,
2. All A are in B. X is in B. Therefore, X is in A. (invalid argument, both the premises are true but
the conclusion is false.
3. If the conclusion of an argument is guaranteed, the argument is valid.
4. If at least one case which does not necessarily follow, argument is invalid.
Construct a Venn Diagram to verify the validity of the argument:

All men are mortal. major premise U

Daniel is a man minor premise
Therefore, Daniel is mortal conclusion BB B AA C
Valid

All pigs are animals. All horses are animals. Therefore, all horses are pigs.
The basic syllogism has 2 statements or premises and a third statement which is the conclusion. Does
the third statement follow the 2 previous statements? There are 4 cases to help determine the
validity.

a) b)
Animals
Pigs AAA
Horses
P Pigs
Animals
Pigs
Horses

Overlapping circles Separate (2) circles

c) d)
Animals
Animals P Pigs
Horses
Horses
Pigs

The first representation, a) is valid. The others representations do not work under the conclusion then
the conclusion is not guaranteed, therefore not valid

Determine the validity of the following:

1. All professors (A) are professionals (B). Mr. Cruz (C) is a professional (B). Therefore, Mr. Cruz (C) is
a professor (A).
All A are B. C is B. Therefore, C is A
Mr. C is a professional but not a professor; contradicts the conclusion. INVALID
2. No traffic enforcer (T) owns a gun (G). All policemen (P) own guns (G). Therefore, no policeman
(P) is a traffic enforcer (T).
Although the conclusion may not be true, the argument is considered VALID.

3. All nurses are female. My brother is a nurse. Therefore, my brother is a female.

The argument is VALID although it is not true.

Notes: When examining the validity of an argument, we are not determining whether the conclusion
is true or false.
Saying that an argument is valid does not mean that the conclusion is true.
The argument in the given examples (2 & 3) is valid but the conclusion is false. Validity and
truth do not mean the same thing. Truth refers to conformity with fact.

4. Some dogs (D) have rabies (R). Brownie (X) is a dog (D). Therefore, Brownie(X) has rabies (R).
Some D are R. X is D. Therefore, X is R
One instance is true; but another is not true. Thus, the conclusion is INVALID.
5. All dogs bite. Brownie does not bite. Therefore, Brownie is not a dog.
The argument is VALID. Brownie is not in the “bite” circle; brownie is not a dog.
6. Ringo is a beetle. Beetles are insects. Therefore, Ringo is an insect.
Ringo is in the “beetles” circle as beetles are in the “insects” circle. Thus, Ringo is an insect. VALID

Exercises: Construct the Venn Diagrams of the 6 examples above. (MMW10212txt)

In the following example of inductive reasoning, the conclusion is not guaranteed but may be deemed
valid. I ate chili chicken at AJ’s and got indigestion. I ate chili chicken at MJ’s and got indigestion
(specific cases), Therefore, a chili chicken gives me indigestion (generalization).
It is indeed possible that chili chicken may have given indigestion but the case may have been due to
nature of food, food preparation or other foods previously eaten.

Exercises: Determine whether inductive or deductive reasoning was used in the following arguments.

1. Our house is made of red wood. Both of my next-door neighbours have red wood houses.
Therefore, all of the houses in the neighbourhood are made of red wood.
2. All word processors will type the symbol. I have a word processor. I can type the symbol.
3. Today is Friday. Tomorrow will be Saturday.
4. If the mechanic says that it will take two days to repair your car, then it will actually take four days.
The mechanic says “ I figure it will take a couple of days to fix your car Ma’am.” Then you can expect it
to be ready four days from now.