REASONING: INDUCTIVE AND DEDUCTIVE

LOGIC: science of correct reasoning

Reasoning: drawing of inferences of conclusions from known or assumed facts which can either be
inductive or deductive

Mathematical Reasoning - refers to the ability of a person to analyze problem situations and construct
logical arguments to justify his process or hypothesis, to create both conceptual foundations and
connections, in order to be able to process available information.

NCTM points out that, people who can reason and think analytically “tend to note patterns, structure, or
regularities in both real-world situations and symbolic objects.

Inductive reasoning is the process of reaching a general conclusion (conjecture) by examining specific
examples. It involves looking for patterns and making generalization.
- It is sometimes called a scientific method because it involves reasoning from particular facts or
individual cases to a general conjecture.
A conjecture is a statement made on some observed occurrences. The more individual occurrences
observed, the better it can generate a correct generalization.

Deductive reasoning is the process of reaching a conclusion by applying general assumptions,

procedures, or principles.
A statement is a true statement provided it is true to all cases. If you find one case for which a statement
is not true, called a counterexample, then the statement is a false statement.

A counterexample is a single example that disproves a statement.

A counterexample is a special kind of example that disproves a statement or proposition.

A conjecture is an “educated guess” that is based on examples in a pattern. A counterexample is an

example that disproves a conjecture.