Mathematics in the

Modern World
SCGE 4

Inductive and Deductive reasoning

Polya’s 4 Steps in Problem Solving

Inductive Reasoning
Inductive reasoning is the process of reaching a general conclusion by examining specific examples.

Conjecture is the conclusion formed by using inductive reasoning, which may or may not be correct.

Uses of inductive reasoning

1. To predict the number
a) 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ?
Solution: Each successive number is 3 larger than the preceding number. Thus, we predict that the
next number in the list is 3 larger than 15, which is 18.
b) 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, ?
Solution: The first two numbers differ by two. The second and the third numbers differ by 3. It
appears that the difference between any two numbers is always 1 more than the preceding
difference. Since 10 and 15 differ with 5, we predict that the next number in the list will be 6 larger
then 15, which is 21.

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

Original number: 5
Multiply by 8: 5 x 8 = 40
Add 6: 40 + 6 = 46
Divide by 2: 46 ÷ 2 = 23
Subtract 3: 23 – 3 = 20

We conjecture that following the given procedure produces a number that is four times the original
number.

3. To solve an application Length of pendulum,in units Period of pendulum,in heartbeats

11
42
93
16 4
25 5
36 6

A. If a pendulum has a length of 49 units, what is its period? Solution: In the table, each pendulum has
a period that is the square root of its length. Thus, we conjecture that a pendulum with a length of 49
units will have a period of 7 heartbeats.

Velocity of tsunami, in feet per second

Height of tsunami,
in feet
64
99
12 16
15 25
18 36
21 49
24 64
 Mathematics in the
Modern World
SCGE 4

A tsunami is a sea wave produced by an under-water earthquake. The height of a tsunami as it

approaches land depends on the velocity of the tsunami. Use the table below and inductive reasoning
to answer each of the following questions.

1. What happens to the height of a tsunami when its velocity doubled?

2. What should be the height of a tsunami if its velocity is 30 feet per second?

Example:
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, it is called a counterexample, then the statement is a false statement.

Example:
1. Find a counterexample
For all number of x: x > 0
Solution:
Let x=0. Then 0 = 0. Because 0 is not greater than 0, we
found counterexample. Thus “for all numbers x, x > 0" is a
false statement.

Examples of Inductive Reasoning

Yesterday morning, Mary went jogging. This morning, she jogged again. Therefore, Mary will probably
jog tomorrow morning.

The teacher used Google Classroom in the last few classes. Therefore, the teacher will use Google
Classroom tomorrow.

Premises
Probable Conclusion
Deductive Reasoning

Deductive reasoning is the process of reaching a conclusion by applying general principles and
procedures called “premises”.

Syllogism is a form of deductive reasoning where you arrive at a specific conclusion by examining two
other premises or ideas.

Examples of Deductive Reasoning:

All men are mortal. Mark is a man. Therefore, Mark is mortal

All even numbers are divisible by 2. 22 is an even number.Therefore, 22 is divisible by 2.

Premises

True Conclusion

Examples of Deductive Reasoning:

Marvel Comics characters are fictional.Iron Man is a Marvel Comic character.

Therefore, Iron Man is a fictional character.
Citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C.Orange is a citrus fruit.
Therefore, an orange is rich in Vitamin C.
 Mathematics in the
Modern World
SCGE 4

Inductive Reasoning and Deductive Reasoning

Deductive Reasoning
General to Specific Based on recognized rules,laws, and theories.

Inductive Reasoning Specific to General,Based on observations

True Premise
True Premise True Premise
True Premise
Probable
Conclusion
True
Conclusion
True Premise
True Premise True Premise
True Premise

Exercises:

Determine whether each of the following is an Inductive or Deductive.

1. My father has a black hair. My brother has a black hair.
Therefore, everyone I am related to has black hair.
2. All spiders have eight legs. Black widows are spiders.
Thus, black widows have eight legs.
3. All licensed drivers are 18 years old and above. Marcus
has a driver’s license. Therefore, Marcus is at least 18
years old.
4. The games of Thrones TV series was a worldwide
success. Therefore, any sequel for the series will
probably be successful.
5. 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.
 Mathematics in the
Modern World
SCGE 4

Polya’s4-Stepsin Problem Solving

George Pólya was a Hungarian

mathematician.
Born: December 13, 1887, Budapest,
Hungary
Died: September 7, 1985, Palo Alto,
California, United States

He made fundamental contributions to combinatorics, number theory, numerical analysis and

probability theory. He is also noted for his work in heuristics and mathematics education.

What is a “PROBLEM”?

A problem is a situation, condition, person, or thing that needs attention and needs to be dealt with
or solved. Not solving a problem leads to undesireable consequences.

“The solution to any problem lies in asking theright questions”

Polya’s Four Steps Method: A systematic way to answer/attack questions.

Polya’s 4-Steps in Problem Solving

Step 1: Understand the problem. (See)

Step 2: Devise a plan. (Plan)
Step 3: Carry out the plan. (Do)
Step 4: Look back and reflect. (Check)

Step 1: Understand the problem. (See)

This seems so obvious that it is often ignored!
Ask yourself the following question:

 What are you asked to find or show? Can you restate the question in your own words? What
part/information of the question is (un)important? Can you think of a picture or a diagram that might
help youunderstand the question?
 Is there enough information to enable you to find a solution? Do you understand all the words used
in stating the question?Do you need to ask a question to get the answer?Why might this problem be
difficult/easy?

Step 2: Devise a Plan. (Plan)

You must start somewhere so try something. How are you going

to attack the question?

Possible Strategies:Draw pictures or diagrams. Eliminate possibilities
 Be systematic.Solve a simpler version of the problem & Consider special
casesGuess and check. Trial and error. Guess and test.Look for a pattern or patterns.Make a list /
Write down keywords.

Step 3: Carry out the plan. (Do)

This is the step where you carry out the steps of your plan.

Answer the Problem:

 Try to use the strategy chosen in step 2. If this strategy does not work, try another one.
Step 4: Look back and reflect. (Check)
Finally, in this last step you look back reviewing and checking your results.
 Mathematics in the
Modern World
SCGE 4

Ask yourself the following questions:

 Did you answer the question? Is your result reasonable?

 What would change if you change the question a bit?
 Is there a better/more interesting version of the question?
 Is there another way of doing the problem which may be
simpler?
 Can the question or method be generalized to be useful for
future problems?

Example:

What is 20% of 125?

Step 1: Understand the problem We are looking for a number that is 20% of 125,
we will let x = the value we are looking for.
Step 2: Devise a plan
A number that is 20% of 125
x = 20%(125)
Step 3: Carry out the plan
x = 20%(125)
x = 25
Step 4: Look back (Check)
25 is 20% of 125
Final Answer: The number is 25.
Example:
One number is 3
less than another
number.
If the sum of the
two numbers is
177, find each
number.

Step 1: Understand the problem.

Make sure that you read the question carefully several times.We are looking for two numbers, and
since we can write the one number in terms of another number, we will let
x = another number One number is 3 less than another number:x - 3 = one number
Step 2: Devised a Plan.The sum of the two numbers is 177
(x – 3) + x = 177
Step 3: Carry out the Plan.
x – 3 + x = 177
2x – 3 = 177
2x = 177 + 3
2x = 180
2x
2
=
180
2
x = 90
Step 4: Look Back (Check)
If we add 90 and 87 we do get

177.
 Mathematics in the
Modern World
SCGE 4

Final Answer: One number is 90.

Another number is 87.

Example:

I’m thinking of a number.The number is odd.It is more than 1 but less

than 100.It is greater than 20.It is less than 5 times 7.The sum of the digits is 7.It is evenly divisible by
5.

a) We know it is an odd number between 1and 100.

b) It is greater than 20 but less than 35.These are the possibilities:21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33

c) The sum of the digits is 7

21 (2+1=3) No
23 (2+3 = 5) No
25 (2 + 5= 7) Yes

Using the same process we see there are no other numbers that meet this criteria. Also
we notice 25 is divisible by 5. By using the strategy elimination, we have found our
answer.

Example:

A zookeeper is moving penguins and polar bears into their new exhibit.
He counts 60 heads and 160 feet. How many penguins and how many polar
bears are in the exhibit?

Step-by-step explanation:
Let the no. of bears = X and the no. of penguins = Y
So, the no of heads of bears and penguins will be X & Y
And the no of legs of bears and penguins will be 4X & 2Y
According to the Question:
equation 1: X + Y = 60
equation 2: 4X + 2Y = 160
Solving these 2 equations: from equation 1

X = 60 – Y put value of X in equation 2

4 ( 60 - Y ) + 2Y = 160
240 – 4Y + 2Y = 160

-2Y = -80
Y = 40

Putting the value of Y=40 in the equation (1), we will get

X + 40 = 60
X = 20

Therefore, No. of bears is 20 and the No. of penguins is 40.