Introduction to nature of Mathematical Reasoning

In our daily life, we do a lot of decision making. Decisions come up from logical thinking. The
process of logical thinking is reasoning. In mathematics we have two types of reasoning:
Inductive and Deductive.
In this module, we will discuss about the nature of mathematical reasoning this includes the
following topics:
1. Nature of Mathematical Reasoning.
2. Estimation and Interpretation of Graphs.
3. Problem Solving Strategies.
Intended Learning Outcome
At the end of the module, students should be able to:
1. explain the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning;
2. apply inductive and deductive reasoning to find pattern, to make conjecture and to prove
a conjecture;
3. use estimation to obtain information from the graph;
4. interpret graph;
5. state the four steps in the basic problem-solving procedure;
6. solve problems using a diagram;
7. solve problems involving money; and
8. solve problems using calculation.
1.1 Nature of Mathematical Reasoning

In this topic, we will discuss about inductive and deductive reasoning as a nature of
mathematical reasoning.

Intended Learning Outcome

At the end of the session, students should be able to:

1. explain the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning; and

2. apply inductive and deductive reasoning to find pattern, to make conjecture and to prove a
conjecture.

Expectation of the Topic

The students are expected to read the lecture on nature of mathematical reasoning and join the
discussion in the virtual classroom. Links for free downloadable handout of the present topic, online
lecture and related video were given in every module. Students are required to answer the seat work
and discussion, which can be seen in every module.

Reasoning is the process of logical thinking

Two Types of Reasoning

1. Inductive Reasoning (Induction)

2. Deductive Reasoning (Deduction)

Inductive reasoning

Is the process of reasoning that arrives at a general conclusion based on the observation of specific
examples. It is use in finding pattern and making conjecture.

Counterexample

Is one specific example that proves a conjecture false.

Deductive reasoning

Is the process of reasoning that arrives at a conclusion based on previously accepted general
statements?

Examples

A. Inductive Reasoning
1. Using Inductive Reasoning to Find a Pattern and Complete the Unknowns.

1, 2, 4, 7, 11, 16, 22, 29, , , .

Solutions

To find patterns in strings of numbers, it’s often helpful to think about operations that can turn a
number into the next one. In this case, we see that the pattern is successive addition per term.

1, → +1 → 2, → +2 → 4, → +3 → 7, → +4 → 11, → +5 → 16, → +6 → 22, → +7 → 29, → +8, , , .

The pattern seems to be to add 1, then add 2, then add 3, then add 4, and so on. So, we can say
that the next three numbers are 37, 46, and 56.

2. Using Inductive Reasoning to Find a Pattern and Complete the Unknowns.

Solutions

In the first five figures, the line through the circle is horizontal, vertical, horizontal, vertical and
then horizontal. The first two don't have shading while the third and fourth has shading, the fifth figure
is horizontal without shade so therefore the next figure should be a circle with vertical line and shading.
 3. Using Inductive Reasoning to Make a Conjecture.

When two odd numbers are added, will the result always be an even number? Use inductive
reasoning to determine your answer.

Solutions

First, let’s try several specific examples of adding two odd numbers:
3 + 7 = 10
5 + 9 = 14
19 + 9 = 28
25 + 5 = 30
1 + 27 = 28
21 + 33 = 54
Since all the answers are even, we can now conclude that the sum of two odd numbers will be an even
number.

4. Using Inductive Reasoning to Test a Conjecture

Use inductive reasoning to decide if the following conjecture is likely to be true:

Any four-digit number is divisible by 11 if the difference between the sum of the first and third
digits and the sum of the second and fourth digits is divisible by 11.

Solutions

Let’s cite some examples:

a) 2, 838
Sum of the first and third digits: 2 + 3 = 5
Sum of the second and fourth digits: 8 + 8 = 16
The difference is 16 - 5 = 11 and 11 is divisible by 11.
If the conjecture is true, 2,838 should be divisible by 11.
To check: 2,838 ÷ 11 = 258
Conjecture is true for this example!

b) Let’s make additional example:

3,190:
Sum of the first and third digits: 3 + 9 = 12
Sum of the second and fourth digits: 1 + 0 = 1
The difference is 12 - 1 = 11 and 11 is divisible by 11.