Scientific Reasoning

Inductive Reasoning Inductive reasoning is when you use specific observations OR examples to make conclusions or rules.

INDUCTIVE REASONING Observations Specific Examples Conclusion/Rule

Conclusion/rule: Don’t scratch your cat’s belly or head Inductive Reasoning Example: Observe/example: You scratch you cat’s belly and he bites you. You scratch your cat’s head and he bites you. You scratch the cat’s back and he purrs. Conclusion/rule: Don’t scratch your cat’s belly or head

Deductive Reasoning Deductive reasoning is when you start with a conclusion or rule and then apply the idea to observations or examples.

Deductive reasoning Conclusion/Rule Observations Specific Examples

Conclusion/rule: Shapes with three sides are called triangles. Deductive Reasoning Example: Conclusion/rule: Shapes with three sides are called triangles. Observations/examples: This shape has 4 sides so it is not a triangle. This other shape has 3 sides so we call it a triangle

1. I see that turtles have shells. I see snails have shells 1. I see that turtles have shells. I see snails have shells. They must use shells for protection. _______ 2. A puddle has frozen. The pond is frozen. It must be below 0 degrees outside. _______ 3. Because of the law of gravity, I notice every time I toss something in the air, it falls down. _______ 4. All dogs are mammals. Mammals have kidneys. Mammals have hearts. ___________

My math teacher is a girl. My last math teacher was a girl My math teacher is a girl. My last math teacher was a girl. All math teachers must be girls. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Mr. Olson ate an apple every day. Dr. Drew stayed away. Miss Jardine was bit by a dog. Miss Jardine is now scared of all dogs. All speeders will get a ticket. Miss B. was speeding. She got a ticket.