The Greek word Syllogism meaning is deduction or inference. These inferences or deductions are based on the foundation of logic. Therefore, these inferences are also called logical deductions. There are certain premises or prepositions on which these deductions are based. Under the topic, several types of questions are presented with multiple conclusions. One has to identify the appropriate conclusion from the given options using reasoning methods. In other words, the derivation of the appropriate conclusion from the statement presented through the application of reasoning is a syllogism. Syllogism is considered an essential part of analytical reasoning. Moreover, the statements might not make sense or might not look serious or true; however, those statements are to be considered as the truth. This is because the statements are the basic premises of answering questions on syllogism.
Types of Reasoning
- Basic syllogism- Syllogism reasoning of this type needs conclusions to be 100% true. Even when a conclusion is 99%, it will be held as a false conclusion to the case.
- Either-or case- Where it is seen that any conclusion is not 100% true, but two conclusions are 50% true each, then this case shall apply.
- Coded syllogism- Both statements and conclusions are presented in a coded version or form, in this particular type of syllogism question or reasoning. Decoding the statement as well as the conclusions will lead to the finding of the answer.
- Sequential syllogism – In these questions usually statements are given. So, the third statement has to be chosen from the options presented. The statement that will be chosen from the options should be a logical deduction from the statements presented as the question.
Tips and Tricks
- Identify the three terms- major premise, minor premise, and conclusions.
- Even if one premise is negative in a statement, the conclusion will be negative.
- If in any possible scenario, a definite conclusion appears to be false, then it is 100% false.
- If the statements or premises are positive then the negative conclusions will also be considered to be false.
- It is okay if the subject-predicate interchanges for a complementary pair.
- If only one conclusion is true in the case of two conclusions that have the same subject and predicate, consisting of a complementary pair, then it is not an either-or case problem.
- If a conclusion is possible or true in the case of any scenario or diagram, then that possibility is held true.
- Both conclusions are true in the case of “only a few”. For instance, Some X are Z and Some X are not Z, which are both true conclusions.
- If two elements do not have a relation in the statement presented, a relationship of those two elements in the conclusion makes the conclusion wrong. For instance, Rats are cats. Tigers are lions. Some cats are lions, which becomes a wrong conclusion.
Understanding Definite and Possible Conclusions
All X are Z
Some P are Q
Some H are not I
No M is N
No possibility can be true
The topic of syllogism has been explained by looking at the core meaning of syllogism. The different type of syllogism reasoning that applies has been mentioned. Moreover, tips and tricks have been incorporated to know the basic rules of syllogism while solving such problem questions. Understanding conclusions form an important part of syllogisms. Therefore, the table has been included to understand what form the definite conclusions and what possibilities are. The FAQs section will particularly be helpful to understand the kind of syllogism questions that appear and how to solve them using Venn diagrams.