Competitive exams have several types of verbal and non-verbal questions to check a candidate’s analytical ability, verbal ability, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Syllogism reasoning questions are a part of several exams to test the logical reasoning skills of a person. Syllogism derives conclusions from two or more statements. To solve the questions quickly, aspirants must have a firm grip on the topic, know the basics and follow tips and tricks. Practising a few syllogism questions daily helps candidates understand the basics and quickly provide a solution. Syllogism questions pdf is found online, and trying to solve them enables students to improve their skills.
The meaning of syllogism is conclusion or inference. The questions have logical statements or arguments, and candidates must use deductive reasoning to find the answer. The ideas in the query have a central premise, a minor premise and a conclusion. A connection exists between them, which helps to find the conclusion. The major premise is a general statement, and the minor premise is a specific statement about the major premise. The conclusion depends on these two statements.
The three common types of syllogism in competitive exams are:
Conditional: It is a hypothetical syllogism whose major premise is conditional. The conclusion is valid only when it is true. The minor premise is similar to the major premise. However, the arguments may only be valid in some cases.
Categorical: In this form of reasoning, there are three categorical propositions, out of which the first two are premises and presumed to be true. The last one is the conclusion.
Disjunctive: There are two propositions, and the conclusion is derived from them. The major premise is a choice between two alternatives, one is correct, and the other is wrong. The minor premise chooses the suitable alternative leading to the conclusion.
How to solve syllogism questions quickly?
Underline all the variables found in a statement.
Draw a Venn diagram for each variable and connect them, as mentioned in the question.
Understand the statements and connect the diagrams.
Find the alternative that matches the inferred conclusion.
Rules for answering the syllogism questions
All + All = All
All + No = No
All + Some = No conclusion
Some + All = Some
Some + No = Some not
Some + Some = No conclusion
No + All = Some not Reversed
No + No = No conclusion
Some not/Some not Reversed + anything = No conclusion.
There are four types of statements in syllogism questions. They are
Universal positive statement: The statements begin with All, Every or Even.
Universal negative statement: The statements begin with No, None of the, or Not a single.
Particular positive statement: The type of statement begins with words like some, any or a few.
Particular negative statement: The statements are like Some/Few (variable) is/are not.
Tips to solve the questions
Aspirants must pay attention to words like some, all, a few and at least.
The best way to solve the questions is by drawing Venn diagrams, which make things more precise and simplified.
Candidates should refrain from assuming anything while attempting to solve the questions. They must rely on the data provided in the question.
To master the topic, aspirants must enhance their preparation by downloading the syllogism questions pdf available on the internet and solving them every day. Continuous practice helps them to understand the questions quickly and find the correct answer.