Mathematical Reasoning

It has to do with:
 Making and testing predictions, conjectures and
hypothesis
 Searching for patterns and relationship
 Making and investigating general statements
 Explaining and justifying solutions, results,
conjectures, conclusions, generalizations
 Disproving statements by finding
counterexamples
Logical reasoning(Background)
Logical reasoning
Logical reasoning
Definition
 Types of reasoning
• Abductive reasoning
• Deductive Reasoning
Syllogism
• Inductive reasoning
 Abductive reasoning
• Abductive reasoning is a type of reasoning that uses an observation or set
of observations to reach a logical conclusion.
• It's similar to inductive reasoning, however, abductive reasoning permits
making best guesses to arrive at the simplest conclusions.
• Abduction has applications in troubleshooting and decision-making,
especially when dealing with uncertainties.
• Abductive reasoning is especially useful when explaining an observation or
phenomenon that the observer has very little or no existing knowledge
about.
• The conclusion of abductive reasoning may not always be certain and may
require further verification.
 Example
• The grass is wet (the observation), therefore,
It probably rained last night (the most likely
hypothesis).
 Deductive reasoning
• Deductive reasoning is a type of reasoning that
uses formal logic and observations to prove a
theory or hypothesis.
• In deductive reasoning, you start with an
assumption and then make observations or
rational thoughts to validate or refute the
assumption.
• You can use deductive reasoning to apply a
general law to a specific case or test an induction.
• The results of deductive reasoning typically have
a logical certainty.
 Deductive Reasoning
• The Law of Detachment states: If p→q is true
and p is true, then q is true.
• If p is not true, then we cannot conclude q is
true.
• If we are given q, we cannot make a
conclusion. We cannot conclude p is true.
 Law of Syllogism
• Syllogism is a form of reasoning in which a conclusion
is drawn from two or three given propositions or
statements.
• It uses deductive reasoning rather than inductive
reasoning.
• You have to take the given statements to be true, even
if they are at a variance from established facts.
• The Law of Syllogism states: p→q and q→r are true,
then p→r is true.
• This law is similar to a chain reaction or a row of
dominoes falling.
 Example of Syllogism
• Statement 1: If it is a Monday, I have school.
• Statement 2: If I have school, I have my math
class.
• The conclusion that we can draw from the
above two statements is, "If it is a Monday,
then I have math class."
• If the segment AB is a bisector of an angle,
then it divides the angle in two equal parts.
 More Examples
• Example 1:
• If it rains today, then I will wear my coat.
• If I wear my coat, I will feel hot.
• If it rains today, then I will feel hot.
• In this example, A was replaced by "it rains today," B was replaced by "I will wear my coat," and C
was replaced by "I will feel hot." The law of syllogism provides its user with the power to connect
three statements in the form of premise/ premise/ conclusion.
• Example 2:
• If you vote for me, then I can complete my projects.
• If I can complete my projects, then children's education will improve.
• If you vote for me, then children's education will improve.
• Example 3:
• If you use this shampoo, then you will have dandruff.
• If you have dandruff, then your head will itch.
• If you use this shampoo, then your head will itch.
• Example 4:
• If I buy this ball, then I will have no money.
• If I have no money, then I will not go to the movies.
• If I buy this ball, then I will not go to the movies.
Advantages of Deductive reasoning
• Its advantage is a high level of certainty, or
reliability. From given true premises, a
deductively valid argument guarantees the truth
of the conclusion.
• It's also been figuratively said that the conclusion
of a deductive argument is contained within its
premises.
• The very reason a deductive conclusion is
guaranteed is precisely because it doesn't add
any new information not already contained in the
premises.
Disadvantage: Deductive reasoning
• So the only weakness of a deductive argument
is the truth value (verity) of its premises. Your
conclusions are only as good as your premises.
Or, to put it another way, your presuppositions
will always determine your conclusions.
• Deductive reasoning does not acquire new
information. Deductive reasoning is essentially
tautological (circular) and non-informative. Its
fundamental form is self-identity (A=A).
 Inductive reasoning
• Inductive reasoning uses theories and
assumptions to validate observations.
• In some ways it's the opposite of deductive
reasoning, as it involves reasoning from a specific
case or cases to derive a general rule.
• The results of inductive reasoning are not always
certain because it uses conclusions from
observations to make generalizations.
• Inductive reasoning is helpful for extrapolation,
predictions and part-to-whole arguments.
 Examples
• If the same number is added from one term to
the next, this is the same as multiplying by that
number.
• If the same number is multiplied from one term
to the next, then multiply the first term by
increasing powers of this number (either n or n -
1 is the exponent).
• If the pattern has fractions, find the patterns for
the numerator and denominator separately.
 Advantages: Inductive Reasoning
• The strength of the inductive argument is increased as
it approaches completeness.
• If the evidence I accept represents all possibilities
within the whole, my inductive conclusion will be
correct.
• The more I can demonstrate that the evidence is truly
representative, the more compelling will my conclusion
be. "10,000 dogs of every age and variety chosen at
random from every country on the earth were
examined under controlled conditions, and all of them
had fleas. Therefore, it seems likely that all dogs have
fleas."
Disadvantage: Inductive Reasoning
• The main disadvantages of inductive reasoning are:
• (a) that it cannot guarantee its conclusions,
• (b) that it assumes the uniformity of nature throughout
the universe, and
• (c) it relies on observation for information collection.
• Example: It doesn't matter how many black crows you
see, if you haven't observed all crows, there is a chance
that one you haven't seen is freakishly white. This is
the flip side of the main advantage of inductive
reasoning. It's quick, but fallible.
 Activity
• Inductive or Deductive

1. The Giants have lost their last seven games. Thus, they will probably
lose their next game.
2. If you brush and floss your teeth daily then you will have fewer cavities.
Marie brushes and flosses her teeth daily. Thus, she will have fewer
cavities.
3. Jones will play tennis today if Smith plays. Jones will not play tennis
today. Therefore, Smith will not play.
4. 4 out of 5 times I beat Corey at pool and I'm going to play him
tomorrow. So, I'll very likely win.
5. No man has ever gotten pregnant. Therefore, no man ever will get
pregnant.
 Answers
• Inductive or Deductive
1. The Giants have lost …Inductive argument – uses 7 specific
examples to reach a bigger conclusion
2. If you brush and floss your teeth …Deductive argument – states the
broadly accepted research and reaches a specific conclusin
3. Jones will play tennis today if …Deductive argument –give the
overarching rule that governs the behavior to predict a specific
outcome
4. 4 out of 5 times I beat Corey…Inductive argument – uses specific
examples to predict the conclusion
5. No man has ever gotten pregnant…Inductive argument – the
conclusion is a BIG, overarching rule based on specific experiences to
date.
Comparing deductive, inductive and
abductive reasoning
 Mathematical Reasoning (contd)
Why teach reasoning:
Allows learners to explain their mathematical
thinking
Allows learners to explain why they think their
answers are correct( metacognition)
Allows learners to explain that certain things
in Mathematics are possible
To explore other possible strategies to obtain
solutions to Mathematical problems