example reasoning with conditional statements

Example: Reasoning with Conditional Statements All mathematics teachers have a strange sense of humor. Alex has a strange sense of humor. Can you draw a conclusion?


First, let’s draw a Venn diagram to represent the statement:All mathematics teachers have a strange sense of humor.


We draw an oval to represent all people with a strange sense of humor.

People with a strange sense of humor


We draw an oval to represent all people with a strange sense of humor. Then, we put an oval to represent all mathematics teachers completely inside the original oval.


Mathematics teachers


Now, we consider the possible locations for Alex. People with a strange sense of humor



Now, we consider the possible locations for Alex.We know he has to be within the grey oval and he could be in the blue oval, but we don’t know for sure.



Alex?Alex?


Since we don’t know for sure, we say that we cannot make a conclusion.



Alex?Alex?

Example: Reasoning with Conditional Statements If a person attends college, then he or she will be a success in life. Kathy Jones attends Dade County College. Can you draw a conclusion?


First, let’s draw a Venn diagram to represent the statement:If a person attends college, then he or she will be a success in life.


We draw an oval to represent all people who are successful.

People who are successful


We draw an oval to represent all people who are successful. Then, we put an oval to represent people who attended college completely inside the original oval.


People who attended college




Now, we consider the possible locations for Kathy.Since she attends college, we know she has to be in the blue oval. Kathy




Since being in the blue oval means Kathy is also inside the gray oval, we conclude that Kathy will be successful.

Kathy

example reasoning with conditional statements

Education