Multiple Choice
Which of the following is an example of inductive reasoning?
30. Induction and Inductance
Intro to Induction
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Which of the following statements is an example of correct inductive reasoning?
A
If it rains, the ground gets wet. It is raining, so the ground is wet.
B
All observed swans are white, therefore all swans are white.
C
All mammals have lungs, and a whale is a mammal, so a whale has lungs.
D
Triangles have three sides, so a shape with three sides is a triangle.
Verified step by step guidance1
Inductive reasoning involves making generalizations based on specific observations or examples.
Consider the statement: 'All observed swans are white, therefore all swans are white.' This is an example of inductive reasoning because it makes a general conclusion based on the observation of specific instances (observed swans).
The other statements provided are examples of deductive reasoning, where a specific conclusion is drawn from a general premise or rule.
In the statement 'If it rains, the ground gets wet. It is raining, so the ground is wet,' the conclusion is drawn from a specific condition being met, which is a deductive process.
Similarly, 'All mammals have lungs, and a whale is a mammal, so a whale has lungs' and 'Triangles have three sides, so a shape with three sides is a triangle' are deductive because they apply general rules to specific cases.
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