WORKSHEET: ARGUMENTS: BASIC LOGICAL CONCEPTS

A. Indicate whether the following arguments are deductive or inductive. In addition, indicate the type of test used to determine the
argument concerned.

No. Argument Deductive If common pattern,

(D) / identify the pattern
Inductive
(I)
0. If x = 3, and y = 5, then x + y = 8. D Based on Mathematics
1. Alicia’s CGPA has been higher than 3.75 for the last two semesters. Alicia will probably do well this
semester and obtain a full scholarship to pursue a degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine at XMUM.

2. John, who works for the Ministry of Higher Education, usually reports to work by 9.00 a.m. Mary,
another Ministry of Higher Education, also start work by 9.00 a.m. I wouldn’t be surprised if Tim,
another officer of the Ministry of Higher Education, also starts work at 9.00 a.m.

3. If it rains, my clothes hung on the laundry line will get wet. If my clothes aren’t dry, then I won’t have
anything clean to wear tomorrow. Therefore, if it rains, I am certain that I will be wearing dirty clothes
tomorrow.

4. Dogs are put to sleep when they become too old or too sick to enjoy life further. Similarly, human
beings should be mercifully put to death when they become too old or too sick to enjoy lifer further.

5. Every argument is either deductive or inductive. This argument is not inductive, therefore, it is
deductive.

6. Malaysia is not a temperate country. Therefore, it doesn’t experience the four seasons.

7. Studies show that between 35% and 45% marriages end in divorce. So, one should not enter into
marriage lightly.

8. All students of Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) are youths. All youths are people who are aged
25 and under. Therefore, all XMUM students are 25 years of age or under
9. XMUM won the Inter-University Football Tournament (IUFT) last year. Many of the players are also

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 playing this year. It is a good bet that XMUM will win the IUFT this year.

10. All the people I know from Country X are rude and loud. I have not met my roommate but I heard that
she is from Country X. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that I have to put up with a rude and loud
roommate for the whole semester.

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B. The following arguments are all deductive in nature. Determine whether these arguments are valid or invalid. If they
are valid, indicate as to whether they are sound or unsound.

No. Argument Valid / If valid, Sound /

Invalid Unsound
0. All fruits are vegetables. Cabbage is a fruit. Therefore, cabbage is a vegetable. Valid Unsound

1. Sepang has a bigger population than Nilai. Nilai has a larger population than Bangi. So,
Sepang has a larger population than Bangi.

2. Some pilots are males. Some pilots are tall. Therefore, some pilots are who are tall must be
males.
3. All cars are two-wheeled vehicles. All two-wheeled vehicles are expensive. Therefore, all cars
are expensive.

4. Japan is part of Europe. Europe is on planet Earth. Therefore, Japan is on Planet Earth.

5. If Joyce is a Smith, then Joyce is rich. Joyce is rich. Therefore, Joyce is a Smith.

6. The President of the United States must be 35 years of age or older. Jenifer Lopez must be 35
years of age or older. Jennifer Lopez is the President of the United States

7. Jane: The Critical Thinking test is tomorrow.

Brian: Why do you say that?
Jane: Because I saw some of my classmates doing some Critical Thinking exercises at the
library.

8. All grandfathers are fathers. All fathers are males. So, all grandfathers are males.

9. Good Friday always falls on Friday. So, Sarawak, which has declared Good Friday as a public
holiday, will always have a three-day weekend for the Good Friday week
.
10. All students are rich. Brian is a student. Therefore, Brian is rich.

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C. The following arguments are all inductive in nature. Determine whether these arguments are strong or weak. If it is
strong, indicate whether it is cogent or uncogent.

No. Argument Strong / Cogent / uncogent

Weak
0. All previous US presidents have been men. Therefore, the next US president will be a man. Strong Cogent

0. The previous Presidents of the United States were females. Therefore, the next US President Strong Uncogent
will probably be a female.
1. The previous President of the United States was a female. Therefore, the next US President
will be married.
2. There is usually a lot of rain in December. Therefore, it will probably rain a lot this coming
December
3. All the lecturers that have been teaching us at XMUM have been males. Therefore, our next
lecturer will probably be a male.
4. It is fine to tell a white lie in life. So, even if you are under oath to tell the truth, you should not
worry about telling a white lie while you are in court.
5. Shopping is an activity enjoyed by many people. So, it is a good bet that at least one person
you know enjoys shopping.
6. Joyce is a female and she enjoys cooking. Mary is a female and she enjoys cooking. Karen is
a female and she also enjoys cooking. So, I guess all the people who enjoy cooking are
females.
7. Kuala Lumpur has been the place for an exciting nightlife for the past 40 years. Therefore, it will
probably still be a nightlife spot 10 years from now.
8. Ninety-five percent of young women aged 20 – 25 want a career. So, Jenifer, who is 22 years
old, probably wants a career too.
9. All of the students I have ever taught these past 20 years were under 25 years old. Therefore, it
is unlikely that I will have a 30-year old student next semester.
10. Debbie is a female. Therefore, she probably will be a father soon.

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D. Determine whether the following arguments are deductive or inductive. If it is deductive, determine whether it is valid
or invalid. If it is inductive, determine whether it is strong or weak.

No. Argument Deductive / If Deductive,

Inductive Valid / Invalid.
If Inductive,
Strong or Weak
0. Most college students own a laptop. John is a college student. Therefore, John probably owns a laptop.
0. If Flipper is a dolphin, then flipper is a mammal. Flipper is a dolphin. So, Flipper is a mammal
1. This passage is an argument. It must be the case, therefore, that it contains at least one premise.
2. If we are at the North Pole, then we are on Earth. We are on earth. Therefore, we are at the North Pole.
3. Do XMUM students like the food sold at the canteen on campus? Apparently not. In a random survey of
the foundation students, fewer than 20% said that they like the food.
4. It tends to be cold in London in January. So probably it will be cold in London next January.
5. My parents got married on the first of January. Therefore, their anniversary will always fall on a public
holiday.
6. Spinach is a green plant, and it is edible. Broccoli is a green plant, and it is edible. I supposed all green
plants are edible.
7. If Anthony does not get CGPA 3.5 and above this semester, his mother will be disappointed. If his mother is
disappointed, his father won’t buy him an iPhone. Therefore, if Anthony does not obtain CGPA 3.5 and
above this semester, he won’t get an iPhone from his parents.
8. Peking University in China has been a leading Chinese university for many years. Therefore, probably
Peking University will be a leading Chinese University 10 years from now.
9. Some people like ice cream. Some people like cake. So some people who like ice cream must also like cake.
10. If Adam is 52 years old and Samantha is 19 years younger than Adam, it necessarily follows that Samantha
is 29 years old.