Some people believe that mathematics is a difficult, dull subject that is to be pursued only in a clear-cut, logical

fashion. This belief is perpetuated because of the way mathematics is presented in many textbooks. Often
mathematics is reduced to a series of definitions, methods to solve various types of problems, and
theorems. Theorems are statements whose truth can be established by means of deductive reasoning and proofs.
This is not to minimize the importance of proof in mathematics, for it is the very thing that gives mathematics its
strength. But the power of the imagination is every bit as important as the power of deductive reasoning.
The long history in the development of a concept or any of the unproductive approaches that were taken by early
mathematicians is not always addressed in mathematics courses. The fact is that the mathematician seeks out
relationships in simple cases, looks for patterns, and only then tries to generalize. It is often much later that the
generalization is proved and finds its way into an actual textbook.
One way we can learn much about mathematics and in the meantime find enjoyment in the process is by studying
numerical relationships that exhibit unusual patterns. For example, children may find it easier to learn their
multiplication tables by exploring the patterns that the numbers display. Even complicated arithmetic problems can
sometimes be solved by using patterns. Given a difficult problem, a mathematician will often try to solve a simpler,
but similar, problem. This type of reasoning first observing patterns and then predicting answers in complicated
problems is an example of inductive reasoning. It involves reasoning from particular facts or individual cases to a
general statement that may be true. The more individual occurrences that are observed, the better able we are to
make a correct generalization. For instance, we can predict the exact time of sunrise and sunset each day. Thus
there is a very high probability that the prediction will be successful.
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
(A) Inductive reasoning should be included in the study of math.
(B) Mathematics can be studied only in a logical manner.
(C) Proving theorems should be the central focus of mathematics.
(D) Mathematics courses should concentrate on deductive reasoning.
2. The word fashion in the passage is closest in meaning to
(A) field (B) way (C) cloth (D) practice
3. By stating Often mathematics is reduced to a series of definitions, the author implies that
(A) mathematics includes more than definitions
(B) definitions are rarely studied in mathematics
(C) mathematics is best studied by focusing on definitions
(D) mathematics is too difficult for most people to understand
4. The author believes that many mathematics textbooks underestimate the importance of
(A) imagination (B) logic (C) multiplication (D) formulas
5. The word cases in the passage is closest in meaning to
(A) situations (B) methods (C) arguments (D) properties
6. According to the author, using inductive reasoning can make learning mathematics more
(A) technical (B) enjoyable (C) uniform (D) abstract
7. The word exhibit in the passage is closest in meaning to
(A) record (B) show (C) determine (D) limit
8. The word exploring in the passage is closest in meaning to
(A) photographing (B) mapping (C) investigating (D) buying
9. Which of the following is the first step in an inductive reasoning process?
(A) Generalization (B) Prediction (C) Definition (D) Observation
10. Why does the author mention sunrise and sunset in paragraph 3?
(A) To describe how difficult it is to make generalizations
(B) To demonstrate that probability is unrelated to mathematics
(C) To give an example of a prediction based on a pattern
(D) To explain that scientific generalizations may be stated in mathematical language