Now see if you can write some scenarios that would require either inductive or deductive reasoning. Read each situation below and answer the question that follows. When you reach the last screen in this activity, compare your ideas to the example answers provided.
Naomi just signed up for a summer session biology course at her local community college. Write a situation in which Naomi might need to use inductive reasoning to learn about plants, animals, and other forms of life.
Alex has just learned that all right angles are congruent. Write an example of a related problem that would require Alex to use deductive reasoning to apply this rule.
Think about the courses that you will need to take next year. Using what you already know about those subjects, describe a situation or scenario that would require you to use inductive reasoning.
Now describe a situation or scenario related to next year's classes that would require you to use deductive reasoning.
| Your Responses | Sample Answers |
|---|---|
| For a lab, Naomi analyzes data on the size and growth patterns of the fish in a local pond. | |
| Alex is handed a worksheet with angle A and angle B, which appear to be right angles. Alex is instructed to draw a third angle which is congruent to the first two. Alex concludes that the angle he draws should measure 90° | |
| Your answer depends on what courses you're taking next year! However, the situation should require you to analyze examples, looking for patterns. | |
| Again, your answer depends on what courses you're taking next year. However, the situation should require you to apply known rules or laws to a situation or problem, predicting what will happen next or proving that something is logically true. |
