Inductive Reasoning
Inductive reasoning is based on patterns you observe. If you observe patterns
in sequences, we can use inductive reasoning to decide the terms that come
next. Our conclusion is called a conjecture. Examining several specific
situations to arrive at a conjecture is called inductive reasoning.
Using several specific situations to form a conjecture is called inductive
reasoning. Inductive reasoning is different from proving the validity of a claim
and should never be used. For that, you need deductive reasoning and
mathematical proof.
Example #3:
Take a look at this table that shows multiplication as repeated addition:
Multiplication Repeated addition Sum
4 × -2 -2 + -2 + -2 + -2 -8
3 × -7 -7 + -7 + -7 - 21
5 × -6 -6 + -6 + -6 + -6 + -6 - 30
What do you notice about the signs of the sums? Since the sum is always
negative, the pattern suggests that the product of a positive integer and a
negative integer is negative.
Polya's Problem Solving Strategy
George Polya developed a four-step method for solving any type of problem:
Understand the problem, make a plan, follow the plan, and look back and
reflect. Because Polya's method is simple and generalizable, it has become a
classic.
Step 1: Understand the problem.
Unless you understand the problem clearly, you're likely to get the wrong
results. To show an understanding of the problem, obviously, you've got to
read the problem carefully. It may sound simple, but some people jump the
gun by attempting to solve the problem before they have read the entire
problem. After reading the problem completely, list the components and data
involved. This is where you will assign your variable.
Step 2: Devise a plan (translate).
As you devise a plan (translate), you come up with a way to solve your
problem. Setting up equations, drawing diagrams, and making charts are all
ways that you can solve your problem. For each problem, we will set up
equations.
Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve).
Carry out the plan (solve) is a big step. This is where you solve the equation
you made up in the 'design a plan' step. This tutorial's equations will all be
linear equation
Step 4: Look back (check and interpret).
The best way to solve problems is to look back (check and interpret).
Basically, make sure your answer makes sense and that you used all the
information you had. If you got the answer right, make sure you labeled it
correctly.
Example 6: In a blueprint of a rectangular room, the length is 1 inch more
than 3 times the width. Find the dimensions if the perimeter is to be 26
inches.
Step
1: Understand the problem.
Make sure that you read the question carefully several times.
We are looking for the length and width of the rectangle. Since length can be
written in terms of width, we will let
w = width
length is 1 inch more than 3 times the width:
1 + 3w = length
Step 2: Devise a plan (translate).
Perimieter=2(length) + 2(width)
26 = 2(1 +3w) + 2w
Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve).
26 = 2(1+3w) +2(w) *Remove ( ) by using dist. prop.
26 = 2 + 6w + 2w *Combine like terms
26 = 2 + 8w
26 - 2 = 2 + 8w - 2 *Inv. of add. 2 is sub. 2
24 = 8w
24 8w *Inv. of mult. by 8 is div. by 8
----- = -----
8 8
3 = w
Step 4: Look back (check and interpret).
If width is 3, then length, which is 1 inch more than 3 times the width would
have to be 10. The perimeter of a rectangle with width of 3 inches and length
of 10 inches does come out to be 26.
FINAL ANSWER: Width is 3 inches. Length is 10 inches.