Geometry

Math Outreach 10/4/17

Geometry

Law of Detachment & Law of

Syllogism

SOL G.1

▪ The student will use deductive reasoning to construct and judge

the validity of a logical argument consisting of a set of premises
and a conclusion. This will include
– (c) determining the validity of a logical argument.

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Geometry Math Outreach 10/4/17

Deductive Reasoning

a.k.a. Proof

Reasoning from proven facts using logically valid steps to arrive

at a conclusion.

Law of Detachment

▪ Works like the Substitution Property

(Think of Replacing the IF part of a statement)
Ex: If a vehicle is a car, then it has four wheels.
A convertible is a car.
A convertible has four wheels.

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Geometry Math Outreach 10/4/17

Law of Detachment

If a vehicle is a car, then it has four wheels.

Original conditional
statement.
A convertible is a car.

The condition has been

met in a specific
A convertible has four wheels. situation.

Making the
conclusion about the
specific situation.

Does it work the other way?

If a vehicle is a car, then it has four wheels.

A convertible has four wheels.

So a vehicle is a convertible.

Is this Valid??

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Geometry Math Outreach 10/4/17

Law of Detachment - Symbolically

pàq
Given p
∴q

Example

Statement: If Jared goes to the baseball game, then he will eat a hot dog.
Jared went to the baseball game.

Conclusion?

p: Jared went to the baseball game.

q: He will eat a hot dog.

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Geometry Math Outreach 10/4/17

Example

(1) If you were a gymnast in the 2012 Olympics, then you competed in
London.
(2) Gabi Douglas was a gymnast in the 2012 Olympics.

What is the valid conclusion?

(3) Gabi competed _____________________.

Example

Determine whether the the stated conclusion is valid

based on the given information. If not, write invalid.
Explain your reasoning.
Given: If a point is the midpoint of a segment, then it divides the segment into
two congruent segments. R is the midpoint of

QS QR ≅ RS

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Geometry Math Outreach 10/4/17

Example

Determine whether the the stated conclusion is valid

based on the given information. If not, write invalid.
Explain your reasoning.
Given: If a point is the midpoint of a segment, then it divides the segment into
two congruent segments.

B divides QS into two congruent segments. QR ≅ RS

Law of Syllogism:

Works like the Transitive Property

If a = b and b = c, then a = c

If two angles are a linear pair, then they are supplementary.

If two angles are supplementary, then the sum is 180o.
If two angles are a linear pair, then the sum is 180o.

(“supplementary” links the two and creates a valid

conclusion)

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Geometry Math Outreach 10/4/17

Used Incorrectly…

a) If two angles are a linear pair, then they are

supplementary.

b) If two angles have a sum of 180o, then they are

supplementary.

c) If two angles are a linear pair, then they have a sum

of 180o.

Law of Syllogism - Symbolically

pàq
qàr
∴ pàr

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Geometry Math Outreach 10/4/17

Example

(1) Vertical angles are congruent.

(2) If two angles are congruent, then the measure are equal.
(3) If two angles are vertical, then their measures are equal.

Valid or invalid conclusion (3)?

Example

Use the Law of Syllogism to draw a valid conclusion from

each set of statements, if possible. If no valid conclusion
can be drawn, write “no valid conclusion.”

1) If two angles make a right angle, then the sum of their

measures is 90o. If the sum of two angles is 90o, then
they are complimentary.

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Geometry Math Outreach 10/4/17

Example

Use the Law of Syllogism to draw a valid conclusion from

each set of statements, if possible. If no valid conclusion
can be drawn, write “no valid conclusion.”

2) If a hurricane is classified as Category 5, then the

winds are greater than 155 mph. If winds are greater
than 155 mph, then trees, shrubs, and road signs are
blown down.

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