Mathematics in the Modern World
CHAPTER 3:
Problem Solving
Mathematics in the Modern World
Inductive Reasoning
The type of reasoning that forms a conclusion
based on the examination of specific examples is
called inductive reasoning. The conclusion
formed by using inductive reasoning is a
conjecture, since it may or may not be correct.
Inductive reasoning is the process of reaching a
general conclusion by examining specific
examples.
Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 1:
Use Inductive Reasoning to Predict a
Number
a. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ?
b. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, ?
Mathematics in the Modern World
a) Each successive number is 3 larger than the
preceding number. Thus we predict that the next
number in the list is 3 larger than 15, which is 18.
b) The first two numbers differ by 2. The second and
the third numbers differ by 3. It appears that the
difference between any two numbers is always 1 more
than the preceding difference. Since 10 and 15 differ
by 5, we predict that the next number in the list will be
6 larger than 15, which is 21.
Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 2:
Use Inductive Reasoning to Make a
Conjecture
Consider the following procedure:
Pick a number. Multiply the number by 8, add
6 to the product, divide the sum by 2, and
subtract by 3.
Mathematics in the Modern World
Solution:
Suppose we pick 5 as our original number.
Then the procedure would produce the
following results:
5 x 8 = 40
40 + 6 = 46
46 / 2 = 23
23 – 3 = 20
Mathematics in the Modern World
We started with 5 and followed the procedure to
produce 20. Starting with 6 as our original
number produces a final result of 24. Starting
with 10 produces a final result of 40. Starting
with 100 produces a final result of 400. In each of
these cases the resulting number if four times
the original number. We conjecture that following
the given procedure produces a number that is
four time the original number.
Mathematics in the Modern World
Scientists often use inductive reasoning. For instance,
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) used inductive reasoning to
discover that the time required for a pendulum to
complete one swing, called the period of the pendulum,
depends on the length of the pendulum. Galileo did not
have a dock, so he measured the periods of
pendulums in “heartbeats.” The following table shows
some results obtained for pendulums of various
lengths. For the sake of convenience, a length of 10
inches has been designated as 1 unit.
Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 3:
Use Inductive Reasoning to Solve an Application
Length of pendulum, in units Period of pendulum, in heartbeats
1 1
4 2
9 3
16 4
25 5
36 6
The period of a pendulum is the time it takes for the
pendulum to swing from left to right and back to its original
Mathematics in the Modern World
a. If a pendulum has a length of 49 units, what is its
period?
b. If the length of a pendulum is quadrupled, what
happens to its period?
Solution:
a. 7 heartbeats
b. Quadrupling the length of a pendulum doubles its
period
Mathematics in the Modern World
Counterexamples
A statement is a true statement provided that it
is true in all cases. If you can find one case for
which a statement is not true, called a
counterexample, then the statement is a false
statement. In example 4 we verify that each
statement is a false statement by finding a
counterexample for each.
Mathematics in the Modern World
Mathematics in the Modern World
Mathematics in the Modern World
Deductive Reasoning
Another type of reasoning is called deductive
reasoning. Deductive reasoning is distinguished
from inductive reasoning in that it is the process
of reaching a conclusion by applying general
principles and procedures.
Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 5:
Use Deductive Reasoning to Establish a
Conjecture
Use deductive reasoning to show that the
following procedure produces a number that is
four times the original number.
Mathematics in the Modern World
Mathematics in the Modern World
Logic Puzzles
Logic puzzles can be solved by using
deductive reasoning and a chart that
enables us to display the given
information in a visual manner.
Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 7: Solve a Logic Puzzle
Each of four neighbors, Sean, Maria, Sarah, and Brian, has a
different occupation (editor, banker, chef, or dentist). From the
following clues, determine the occupation of each neighbor.
1. Maria gets home from work after the banker but before
the dentist.
2. Sarah, who is the last to get home from work, is not the
editor.
3. The dentist and Sarah leave for work at the same time.
4. The banker lives next door to Brian.
Mathematics in the Modern World
From clue 1
Editor Banker Chef Dentist
Sean
Maria X1 X1
Sarah
Brian
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1. Maria gets home from work after the banker but before
the dentist.
2. Sarah, who is the last to get home from work, is not the
editor.
3. The dentist and Sarah leave for work at the same time.
4. The banker lives next door to Brian.
Mathematics in the Modern World
From clue 2
Editor Banker Chef Dentist
Sean
Maria X1 X1
Sarah X2 X2
Brian
Mathematics in the Modern World
1. Maria gets home from work after the banker but before
the dentist.
2. Sarah, who is the last to get home from work, is not the
editor.
3. The dentist and Sarah leave for work at the same time.
4. The banker lives next door to Brian.
Mathematics in the Modern World
From clue 3
Editor Banker Chef Dentist
Sean X3 X3
Maria / X1 X3 X1
Sarah X2 X2 / X3
Brian X3 X3
Mathematics in the Modern World
1. Maria gets home from work after the banker but before
the dentist.
2. Sarah, who is the last to get home from work, is not the
editor.
3. The dentist and Sarah leave for work at the same time.
4. The banker lives next door to Brian.
Mathematics in the Modern World
From clue 4
Editor Banker Chef Dentist
Sean X3 / X3 X4
Maria / X1 X3 X1
Sarah X2 X2 / X3
Brian X3 X4 X3 /
Mathematics in the Modern World
Sean is the banker
Maria is the editor
Sarah is the chef
Brian is the dentist