A Closer Look at Inductive vs.

Deductive Reasoning
Deductive vs. Inductive Reasoning

• The difference:
inductive reasoning uses patterns to
arrive at a conclusion (conjecture)

deductive reasoning uses facts, rules,

definitions or properties to arrive at a
conclusion.
• Inductive reasoning - Think of it like a
We start with specifics and move to
generalities

• Deductive reasoning – think of it like a

We start with generalities and move to
specifics.
 Examples of Inductive Reasoning
Some examples

1) Every quiz has been easy. Therefore, the

test will be easy.
2) The teacher used PowerPoint in the last
few classes. Therefore, the teacher will
use PowerPoint tomorrow.
3) Every fall there have been hurricanes in
the tropics. Therefore, there will be
hurricanes in the tropics this coming fall.
 Deductive Reasoning
An Example:

The catalog states that all entering

freshmen must take a mathematics
placement test.
You are an entering
freshman.
Conclusion: You will have to take a
mathematics placement test.
 Inductive or Deductive Reasoning?

Geometry example…
What is the measure of angle x?
x

Triangle sum property -

60◦ the sum of the angles of
any triangle is always
180 degrees. Therefore,
angle x = 30°
 Inductive or Deductive Reasoning?

Geometry example…

What is the next shape in the sequence?

90% of humans are right handed. Joe is
human, therefore Joe is right handed.

DEDUCTIVE
You are a good student.
You get all A’s
Therefore your friends must get all A’s too

INDUCTIVE
All oranges are fruits. All fruits
grow on trees
Therefore, all oranges
grow on trees

DEDUCTIVE
Mikhail hails from Russia and Russians are
tall, therefore Mikhail is tall

INDUCTIVE
Inductive vs Deductive Reasoning YouTube Video
 Determine whether each conclusion is based on
inductive or deductive reasoning.

 
Aundrea noticed that every Saturday, her neighbor mows his lawn. Today
is Saturday. Aundrea concludes her neighbor will mow his lawn.
 
 
Students at Blake’s high school must have a B average in order to
participate in sports. Blake has a B average, so he concludes that he can
participate in sports at school.
 
 
At Uriah’s school if you are late five times, you will receive a detention.
Uriah has been late to school five times; therefore he will receive a
detention.
 
 
A dental assistant notices a patient has never been on time for an
appointment. She concludes that the patient will be late for her next
appointment.
 
 
If Cooper decides to go to a concert tonight, he will miss football
practice. Tonight, Cooper went to a concert. Cooper missed football.
 
 
Whenever Nicole has attended a tutoring session she notices that her
grades have improved. Nicole attends a tutoring session and she
concludes her grades will improve.
 
 
Every Wednesday Kelsy’s mother calls. Today is Wednesday, so Kelsy
concludes her mother will call.
Inductive Reasoning or Deductive Reasoning
 
1. No mayten tree is deciduous, and all nondeciduous trees are evergreens. It
follows that all mayten trees are evergreens.
Deductive
2. Mike must belong to the Bartenders and Beverage Union Local 165, since
almost every Los Vegas bartender does.
Inductive
3. Either Colonel Mustard or Reverend Green killed Professor Plum. But whoever
ran off with Mrs. White did not kill the professor. Since Reverend Green ran off
with Mrs. White, Colonel Mustard killed Professor Plum.
Deductive
4. I’ve never met a golden retriever with a nasty disposition. I bet there aren’t any.
Inductive
5. Since some grapes are purple, and all grapes are fruit, some fruit is purple.
Deductive
6. Why is Sarah so mean to Janice? The only thing I can think of is that
she’s jealous. Jealousy is what’s making her mean.
Inductive
7. Obama will make a fine president. After all, he made a fine senator.
Inductive
8. The figure he drew has only three sides, so it isn’t a square.
Deductive
9. It was the pizza that made my stomach churn. What else could it be? I
was fine until I ate it.
Inductive
10. It’s wrong to hurt someone’s feelings, and that is exactly what you are
doing when you speak to me like that.
 Deductive