Reasoning in Geometry To understand better what inductive reasoning means, choose
any even composite number, say 28. Next, by inspection, find
The first accumulated knowledge of geometric facts were of the two prime numbers whose sum is 28. 17 and 11 will do; 5 and
practical kind, the kind needed in the construction of buildings, 23 will, also, do. Try several composite even numbers. Each
surveying of lands and for decorative purposes. Results from time, you find that you can express the composite even number
experience in solving problems were recorded and then as the sum of two prime numbers.
generalized into formulas or procedures which could then be
shared with others. If you then generalize the results into: "Every composite even
number can be expressed as the sum of two prime numbers",
Thus, the knowledge began with particular cases and then then you have made the conclusion by inductive reasoning. Any
generalized. This method of forming generalizations from conclusion you make after performing two or more
particular cases by observing data and recognizing patterns is experiments on something is made by inductive reasoning.
called inductive reasoning.
Incidentally. the conclusion about composite even integers is
• Suppose you reviewed before going to sleep and again called "Goldbach's Conjecture." A conjecture is a
on waking up. When you took the test, you did very generalization in mathematics based on many examples or
well. Suppose further, that you prepared the same way illustrations which the author thinks is correct but cannot prove
for the next two tests and in each case, you did well. If as yet.
you conclude that for you to do well in a test you need
to review before and after sleeping at night, then your If six or seven groups perform the same experiment and all
conclusion is based on inductive reasoning. groups obtain similar results, then the generalization made as
a conclusion from the results is an example of inductive
The kind of practical procedures in mathematics developed by reasoning.
ancient peoples can be seen preserved on the papyri of the
Egyptians and clay tablets of the Babylonians which are found Consider the function 𝑓(𝑛) = 𝑛2 − 𝑛 + 41. On evaluating
in different museums in the world. A study of the formulas the function for different values of 𝑛, we get.
show that they give results which are only approximate but 𝑓(1) = 1 − 1 + 41 = 41
good enough for their needs at the time. However, for us they 𝑓(2) = 22 − 2 + 41 = 43
are not good enough. 𝑓(3) = 32 − 3 + 41 = 47
𝑓(4) = 42 − 4 + 41 = 53
𝑓(5) = 52 − 5 + 41 = 61
𝑓(6) = 62 − 6 + 41 = 71
If you continue and examine the results, you will notice that all Deductive reasoning is a type of reasoning which makes use of
of them are prime numbers. Try a few more and you will get a accepted rules of logic. It begins with a general statement and
prime each time. So, you may be tempted to conclude that the then the statement is applied to particular cases. Or, it begins
function will give a prime for any value of 𝑛. This of course is with a series of general statements and then by using rules of
not true for f(41) is a composite number since, logic, a conclusion is deduced. Three patterns of deductive
reasoning will be discussed in this chapter.
𝑓 (41) = 412 − 41 + 41 = 412 𝑜𝑟 1681
EXERCISE: Which of the following illustrates inductive
When a generalization like this is false, one example to show it reasoning? Which illustrates deductive reasoning?
is false is enough to prove the statement is false. An example
used to prove that a statement is false is called a 1. On three consecutive years, a farmer planted corn in
counterexample. For Goldbach's Conjecture, though no one so December and January. Each time, he had a good harvest. He
far has been able to prove it, no one, too, has been able to give concluded that for his land, the planting season for corn is the
a counterexample. two-month period of December to January.
Generalizations made by inductive reasoning are not. 2. A number is divisible by 9 if the sum of the digits is divisible
therefore, always dependable as shown by experience and by by 9. The sum of the digits in 4824 is 18 which is divisible by 9.
records. Maybe you, yourself. have experienced having made a Therefore, 4824 is divisible by 9.
conclusion about something or somebody which you thought
correct at the time you made it but found later that there was 3. Celia loves classical music. The tape I will give her as a gift
a mistake. contains classical music. Therefore, I expect Celia to be happy
about my gift.
However, inductive reasoning is very good in making
discoveries. Given a tough problem, often, mathematicians 4. Studies show that children who receive an early education
make experiments, observe patterns and then make are intelligent. Therefore, Ray wants his daughter to begin
conclusions to solve it. Since inductive reasoning can lead to going to school at three years old so that she will be intelligent.
invalid conclusions, mathematicians confirm their conclusions
by deductive reasoning. They do not accept any conclusion 5. Pork fat contains saturated fat. Saturated fat is high in
until it has been verified by deductive reasoning. cholesterol. Therefore, people with hypertension should avoid
fatty pork.
