The Alfresco Blog

Operating and Customising Alfresco Explorer and some other random stuff

Skip to content
Home
Alfresco Explorer Customisation
General Topics
About
Hiding Links from Alfresco Navigator
Common errors in word choice: grammar mistakes
Inductive reasoning: syllogisms: easy method, tips and
tricks to solve syllogisms
Posted on April 12, 2013by pallavi_jain

WHAT IS SYLLOGISM?
A syllogism is a kind of logical argument in which one proposition (the conclusion) is
inferred from two or more others (the premises).
example:
Premise 1: All women are mothers.
Premise 2: All mothers are caring.
Conclusion: All women are caring.
All of us, who have given or are preparing for any kind of entrance exam like CAT, SSC,
MAT, XAT, SCAT and others, have come across syllogisms. Venn diagrams are used to
solve syllogisms and are considered the standard way. But Alas! our exams time limit
does not provide us with the time enough to draw the diagram, label and shade it and
draw the conclusion out of it!
Then!! What to do?
Well there is not much to worry. Here are some basic tips, tricks and step by step
method which will help you to solve a syllogism or at least make it somewhat easier.
1. Shortcut rules (if Venn Diagrams are confusing you) between Statement 1 and
Statement 2 in that order
All + All = All
All + No = No
All + Some = No Conclusion
Some + All = Some
Some + Some = No Conclusion
Some + No = Some Not
No + No = No Conclusion
No + All = Some not reversed
No + Some = Some not reversed
2. You can cancel out common terms in two statements given, then on the remaining
terms apply the syllogisms rules and solve. E.g. Some dogs are goats. All goats are
cows.out goats which leaves us with Some dogs areall are cows. Important words
remaining are SOME and ALL in that order. SOME + ALL = SOME, hence conclusion is
SOME dogs are cows.
3. Avoid using common knowledge as Syllogisms questions usually state unnatural
statements.
4. Remember some implications
All <=> Some, e.g. All A are B also implies Some A are B (being a subset) and Some B
are A
Some <=> Some, e.g. Some A are B also implies Some B are A
No<=> No, e.g. No A are B also implies No B are A
STEP 1: CLASSIFICATION OF STATEMENTS:
In syllogism, each statement usually has following format:
xyz subject is/are (not) predicate.
For example,
Xyz Subject Is/are (+/-not) Predicate
All Cats Are Dogs
Some Pigs Are not birds
Based on xyz and not, we classify the statements as following
Statement Type Codename
1. All cats are dogs Universal Positive UP
2. Some dogs are birds Particular Positive PP
3. No bird is a pig Universal Negative UN
4. Some pigs are not birds. Particular Negative PN
Please remember following words. Whenever they come, you classify the statement
accordingly.
All, every, any, none, not a single, only etc.
Universal (positive or
negative)
Some, many, a few, quite a few, not many, very little, most of,
almost, generally, often, frequently, etc.
Particular (positive or
negative)
STEP 2: STANDARD FORMAT: CONVERSION(important: priority order for
conversion is PP>UN>UP.)
Basically, a syllogism(we consider 2 premise syllogism here) should have the following
basic form:
1. A>B
2. B>C
If it is not, then it needs to be converted to the above format.
NOTE:
Question statements must have ONLY three terms. (A, B and C).
In the exam, if they give you two question statements with four terms then your time is
saved! Just tick the answer no conclusion can be drawn.
For example
Question
statements Answer
1. All cats are
Dogs
2. Some birds are
pigs
No conclusion can be drawn. Because it has four terms (cats,
dogs, birds, pigs)
A>B
C>D
CONVERSION:
Ok, so how to convert the statements?
Universal Positive (UP)
Given Statement Valid conversions Type
Given Statement: All Cats are
Dogs
Some Cats are
dogs
Particular Positive
(PP)
Some dogs are cats
Particular Positive
(PP)
It means UP can be converted into PP.
Please note: if the statement is Only Dogs are cats, then better convert it into All cats
are dogs. (Only A is B > All B are A)
Universal Negative (UN)
Given Statement Valid conversions Type
Given Statement: No Cats are
Dogs
Some dogs are not
cats
Particular Negative
(PN)
No dogs are cats
Universal Negative
(UN)
It means UN can be converted into PN or UN.
Particular Positive (PP)
Given Statement Valid conversions Type
Some Cats are Dogs Some dogs are cats Particular Positive (PP)
It means PP can be converted into PP only.
Particular Negative(PN)
Example: Some Cats are not Dogs. In Particular negative statements (PN), no
conversion can be made.
To sum up the conversion rules
Type Valid Conversion
Universal Positive (UP) Only PP
Universal Negative (UN) PN or UN
Particular Positive (PP) Only PP
Particular Negative (PN) Not possible.

STEP 3: NO CONCLUSION COMBOS
Here are the non-conclusion combos when two question statements are in following
format.
First statement (A to B) Second statement (B to C) Answer
Universal Positive (UP)
Particular Positive (PP) No conclusion
Particular Negative (PN) No conclusion
Universal Negative (UN)
Universal Negative (UN) No conclusion
Particular Negative (PN) No conclusion
Particular Positive (PP)
Particular Positive (PP) No conclusion
Particular Negative (PN) No conclusion
Particular Negative (PN) Any other (UP, UN, PP, PN) No conclusion
^does it look difficult?
Not really. Lets condense this table into mug-up rules.
1. UPs politicians hate giving particular statements (both positive and negative).
E.g. they do not reveal their clear position on FDI in retail until the 11
th
hour.
2. United Nations hates negativity. (both Universal and particular)
3. Pritish Nandy hates everybody.
4. Two-negatives=no conclusion. (although implicit in 2+3)
5. Two particulars=no conclusion. (although implicit in 1+3)
STEP 4: CONCLUSIVE COMBOS
First statement (A to
B)
Second statement (B to
C) Conclusion
Universal Positive
(UP)
Universal Positive
(UP)
Universal Positive (UP) (A to
C)
Universal Negative
(UN)
Universal Negative (UN) (A
to C)
Universal Negative
(UN)
Universal positive
(UP)
Particular Negative (PN). (C
to A) Particular Positive (PP)
Particular Positive
(PP)
Universal Positive
(UP)
Particular Positive (PP) (A to
C)
Universal Negative
(UN)
Particular Negative (PN) (A to
C)
As you can see from above table,
The answer statement is usually in the format of A to C. with exception when first
question statement is Universal Negative (UN).
Lets condense this table into mug-up rules as well.
Conclusive-
Combos In your head, visualize
1. UP+UP=UP
If Uttar Pradesh meets Uttar Pradesh, then its size doesnt
increase.
1. UP+UN=UN
If Uttar Pradesh meets United Nations then its size increases and
it becomes United Nations.
1. UN+
(UP/PP)=PN
United Nations Secretary Ban Ki Moon is in very positive mood.
But he meets another positive person, and his attitude is
totally reversed- he becomes particularly negative! (reversed =C
to A)
1. PP+
(UP/UN)=PP/P
N
When Mr.PP observes the universe via NASA telescope, his
mood becomes positive or negative depending on the mood of
universe.
Following the above mentioned 4 STEPS and remembering some tips and tricks, you
will be able to solve syllogisms in an easy and less time consuming way.
Hit like if you found the post useful Hope it helps you!
Thanks
All the best!!!
Share this:
Facebook70
Twitter
Google
Pinterest

Related
Basic Alfresco Customisation (No Coding Required): Customising Alfresco ExplorerIn "alfresco"
Common errors in word choice: grammar mistakesIn "grammar"
Importing Alfresco Eclipse projectsIn "alfresco"
This entry was posted in easy and shortcut method to solve syllogisms, reasoning, syllogism and tagged General
Topics, syllogism. Bookmark the permalink.
Hiding Links from Alfresco Navigator
Common errors in word choice: grammar mistakes
148 Responses to Inductive reasoning: syllogisms: easy method,
tips and tricks to solve syllogisms
Older Comments
1. vidya says:
December 25, 2013 at 10:41 am
very helpful!! Thank yu so much..:)
Reply
o pallavi_jain says:
January 2, 2014 at 9:24 am
You are most welcome Vidya :)
Reply
2. jahnavi says:
December 30, 2013 at 5:50 am
Hi pallavi ji
Thanks for ur tips and tricks
and really they are helping a lot in solving syllogisms in short time.
can u plz explain me this ?
statements : all bags are chalks
all chalks are bottles
conclusion : 1.some bottles are bags
2. all bags are bottles
3. all bottles are bags
4. some chalks are not bags
answer for this question in rs agarwal book is con 1,2,4 follows
i know conclusion 1,2 follos but how come conclusion 4 follows?
plz clarify this
Reply
o pallavi_jain says:
January 2, 2014 at 9:26 am
Statement 1 says All bags are chalks
hence, Some chalks are bags
hence, Some chalks are not bags.
This way conclusion 4 also follows
I hope it helped you.
Thanks
Reply
Shibin Kuriakose says:
January 21, 2014 at 4:47 pm
But what if Chalks and Bags are equal sets?
abhishek says:
April 8, 2014 at 5:44 pm
but maine to padha h ki positive statement k sath negative conclusion doesnt follow
aryaaditya says:
May 14, 2014 at 2:15 pm
answr 1 and 2 follws..not 3 and 4.some not ke cndtn jb aayege jb not kaa reltn exist
hoga..so ur anwer is corect 1 and 2
3. jahnavi says:
January 3, 2014 at 5:38 am
thank u very much.
i understood it now
Reply
4. jahnavi says:
January 3, 2014 at 5:54 am
stmts : all trolleys are pulleys
some pulleys are chains
all chains are bells
con :
1.some bells are trolleys
2.no bell is trolley
3.some pulleys are bells
4.all chains are pulleys
i know tat con 3 follows
but in rs agarwal they gave either 1 or 2, and 3 follows
can u plz explain this tat how come con 1,2 follows?
Reply
o Tilak says:
February 4, 2014 at 12:53 am
Hi Janhvi,
U hav forget to chk either or pair1 When both conclu. is worng and one positve and
one negative and one must be particular then either or case applied. Hence Either 1 or 2
as well as 3rd follow.. chek original post at mrunal.org
Reply
o pradeep says:
February 20, 2014 at 7:41 pm
janvi g simpil h .. ya to bells trolleys hongi ya nhi hongi koi 3 chij to ho nhi sakti .. so
either aya..
Reply
5. jafar says:
January 5, 2014 at 5:08 am
i hav a doubt ji
1.all goats r cows
some goats r lambs
conc1: all goats r lambs
conc2:some lambs r cows ANSWER ME ,A->B coversion must or not??and my book
answer is CONC2 follows,but ur method shows NO CONC plz reply???!
Reply
o jafar says:
January 5, 2014 at 6:35 am
answer me plsall r getting wrong ans.
SOME+SOME and ALL+SOME
Reply
6. Prakash Agrawal says:
January 15, 2014 at 10:03 am
very nice tips and tricks.
so much thanks
Reply
7. Prakash Agrawal says:
January 15, 2014 at 10:20 am
All the pencils are inks.
Some inks are pencils.
wath is the solution of this question
Reply
o Tapas Kumar Padhan says:
February 5, 2014 at 4:17 pm
No Conclusion
Because All + Some = No Conclusion
Reply
8. Aditya says:
January 17, 2014 at 8:38 am
hi jahnavi:
therecan be two different cases
1st : some pulleys are chains include trolley
2nd : some pulleys are chain does not include trolley
so if 1st case is true then conclusion 1 follows and if 2nd case is true then conclusion 2
follows
in either case conclusion 3 follows and 4 doe snot
so either 1 or 2 and 3 follows
Reply
9. Sg says:
January 21, 2014 at 6:34 am
Please Give me a example of syllogism with this
No + All = Some not reversed
No + Some = Some not reversed
Thank you
Reply
10. Sg says:
January 21, 2014 at 6:53 am
Please help me to solve this
1.All apartments are huts.
2. No hut is a building.
3 . All buildings are cottage
Conclusion.
*1 .No apartment is a cottage
*2 Some buildings being apartment is a possibility.
Conclusion..
*1Some cottages being apartment is a possibility.
*2. No cottage is hut.
Please explain.
Reply
11. Sri says:
January 22, 2014 at 12:05 pm
Jahnavi Ji,
In this case we must go with venn diagram process
Reply
12. Anu says:
January 23, 2014 at 10:46 am
1.
A) ALL BIRDS ARE CATS
B) SOME CATS ARE CRAZY
C) SOME DOGS ARE BIRDS
D) BIRDS ARE CRAZY
2. Which of these FORM pair so that the conclusion can be derived from them?
1) AB 2) BC 3)CD 4)AD
Reply
o Jay says:
February 6, 2014 at 5:42 am
First option..use t venn diagram u can find it
Reply
13. Karan says:
January 29, 2014 at 10:20 am
Hi Jahnavi, if you by venn-diagram.
Then u can find ur answer.
Reply
14. Shilpa says:
January 30, 2014 at 5:42 pm
if UP+PP gives no conclusion
then how all+some=some is possible
it should be all+some=no conlusion
plz rply
Reply
o karthik says:
May 26, 2014 at 2:22 am
THAT IS NOT ALL+SOME
THAT IS SOME +ALL =SOME
PP+UP=PP
Reply
15. Shilpa says:
January 30, 2014 at 6:06 pm
most teachers are boys.some boys are students.answer is some students are boys.
can u explain me how
cz its some+some or particular +particular which leads to no conclusion
Reply
o karthik says:
May 26, 2014 at 2:29 am
look at the sentence
some boys are students=PP
PP>PP
hence
boys=A,students=B
A to B >B to A
some students are boys
most teachers are boys i think its a PP
so PP cannot mingle with PP that is PPPP=no conclusion
so u can avoid that sentence and check with the conclusions
hope it helps u..
Reply
16. Shilpa says:
January 30, 2014 at 6:12 pm
all bags are cakes .
all lamps are cakes.
conclu:some lamps are bags
no lamp is bag.
what will b the answer and how
Reply
o karthik says:
May 26, 2014 at 2:35 am
all bags are cakes=UP
all lamps are cakes=UP
A>B
C->B
no conclusion can be drawn
Reply
17. Shilpa says:
January 30, 2014 at 6:35 pm
all fishes are grey in color.some fishes are heavy should give no conclusion since its
all+some but the answer is given all heavy fishes are grey in coloris it right???
Reply
18. Shilpa says:
January 30, 2014 at 8:33 pm
all jungles are tigers.some tigers are horses.
conclusions:
some horses are jungle .
no horse is jungle
answer given is: Either a or b follows
is it right?n how?
Reply
19. Sandy says:
February 3, 2014 at 1:15 am
thanks very helpful :)
Reply
o pallavi_jain says:
March 14, 2014 at 9:59 am
Thank you Sandy
Reply
20. THOMAS LIVIMBO says:
February 28, 2014 at 9:06 pm
THANKS FOR YOUR EASIEST WAYS IN DEALING WITH SYLLOGISM
Reply
o pallavi_jain says:
March 14, 2014 at 9:59 am
Thanks Thomas..
Reply
21. SEO says:
March 8, 2014 at 8:37 pm
I think this is one of the most important info for me.
And im glad reading your article. But should remark on some general things, The
web site style is perfect, the articles is really great : D.
Good job, cheers
Reply
22. Amish says:
March 31, 2014 at 1:04 pm
If example is : All cats are dogs . All cows are dogs.
Answer is : No conclusion.
How to explain this on above rules ?
Reply
23. Abhijeet says:
April 21, 2014 at 4:58 pm
Statements: All pens are books
Some pencils are pens
Conclusions: 1. some books are pencils
2. Some pencils are books
3. All pens are pencils
4. None
A.) 1 B.) 2
C.) 3 D.) 4
Reply
24. Abhijeet says:
April 21, 2014 at 5:00 pm
Can someone help me with the above question. The answer says only conclusion B) is
right. Whereas in my opinion A) and B) both follows.kindly help!
Reply
25. gee says:
April 26, 2014 at 3:44 am
what exactly does some not reversed mean?
Reply
26. Avinash says:
May 8, 2014 at 3:49 pm
If some x are y then can we say that some x are not y?
Reply
27. pari says:
May 9, 2014 at 3:07 am
sir plz explain how to solve probability case k
Reply
28. Harsimranbir Sandhu says:
May 16, 2014 at 12:53 am
STATEMENT:
SOME APPLES ARE FRUIT
SOME FRUITS ARE SOUR
CONCLUSION:
SOME APPLES ARE SOUR
SOME SOURS ARE FRUIT
Reply
29. banks says:
May 17, 2014 at 2:10 pm
This article is good, however it needs some emphasis on the middle term distribution
aspect. Article is incomplete.
Reply
30. Soniya says:
May 29, 2014 at 7:17 am
Thanks this is really very helpful.
Reply
31. Soniya says:
May 30, 2014 at 8:00 am
Thanks these rules are very important to solve problems.
Reply
32. rohit says:
June 4, 2014 at 12:23 pm
hey guys help me with this and thank you for shortcuts
a. All ambulances are life savers.
b. No ambulances are bumper cars.
1.No life savers are bumper cars
2.No bumper cars are life savers
3.Some life savers are no bumper cars
4.None of the above
Reply
33. rohit says:
June 4, 2014 at 12:46 pm
all+some=no conclusion but in wiki(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syllogism) it says this
All rabbits have fur. (MaP)
Some pets are rabbits. (SiM)
Some pets have fur. (SiP)
Reply
34. THOMAS LIVIMBO says:
July 16, 2014 at 10:28 am
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHEN AND ONLY WHEN AND IF AND
ONLY IF
Reply
Older Comments
Leave a Reply



Search


M T W T F S S
Mar May
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30
April 2013
Categories
alfresco (8)
alfresco explorer customisation(8)
basic alfresco customisation (2)
customising alfresco without coding (1)
easy and shortcut method to solve syllogisms (1)
grammar (1)
JBPM plugin (1)
reasoning (1)
syllogism (1)
word choice errors (1)
workflow in alfresco (1)
Recent Posts
Installing JBPM-JDPL designer in eclipse: installing a plugin the other way round
Changing look and feel of Alfresco Explorer: changing background image, fonts, logo and color of Alfresco
Basic Alfresco Customisation (No Coding Required): Customising Alfresco Explorer
Common errors in word choice: grammar mistakes
Inductive reasoning: syllogisms: easy method, tips and tricks to solve syllogisms
Recent Comments

THOMAS LIVIMBO onInductive reasoning: syllogism

rohit on Inductive reasoning: syllogism

rohit on Inductive reasoning: syllogism
Meta
Register
Log in
Entries RSS
Comments RSS
WordPress.com
Follow Blog via Email
Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
Join 23 other followers

Follow

The Alfresco Blog
The Twenty Ten Theme. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.
Follow
Follow The Alfresco Blog
Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.
Sign me up

Powered by WordPress.com