el © Objectives After the students have gone through Chapter ill. Problem Solving and Reasoning, they should be able to: 1. Use different types of reasoning to justify statements and arguments made about mathematics and mathematical concepts; 2. Write clear and logical proofs; 3. Solve problems involving patterns and recreational problems following Polya’s four steps; and 4. Organize one’s methods and approaches for proving and solving problems. Inductive and Deductive Reasoning Mathematical reasoning enables a student to use all other mathematical skills, With mathematical reasoning, students recognize that mathematics is indispensable, that it makes sense and it can be understood. They then learn how to evaluate situations, opt for appropriate problem-solving strategies, draw logical conclusions, develop and describe solutions, and identify when those solutions can be applied. Mathematical reasoners are able to reflect on solutions to problems and determine whether or not they make sense. They appreciate the all-encompassing use and influence of reasoning as a part of mathematics. Inductive and deductive reasoning are two fundamental types of reasoning for mathematicians. Today’s formal theorems and proofs originated with these two forms of reasoning. Inductive reasoning refers to the process of making generalized decisions after observing, and/or witnessing, repeated specific instances of something. Conversely, deductive reasoning refers to the process of taking the information gathered from general observations and making specific decisions based on that information. Mathematicians are still using these types of reasoning to discover new mathematical theorems and proofs. Inductive reasoning is a process of reaching conclusions based on a series of observations while deductive reasoning is a process of reaching conclusions based on previously known facts. Inductive reasoning usually leads to deductive reasoning. A conclusion reached by inductive reasoning may or may not be valid. The conclusions reached by deductive reasoning are correct and valid. Inductive reasoning is used to form hypotheses, while deductive reasoning is used to prove ideas. 56 | Mathematics in the Modern WorldWhereas inductive reasoning draws general principles from specific instances, deductive reasoning draws specific conclusions from general principles or premises. A premise is a previous statement or proposition from which another is inferred or follows {as a conclusion. Unlike inductive reasoning, which always involves uncertainty, the conclusions from deductive inference are certain provided the premises are true. Scientists use inductive reasoning to formulate hypothesis and theories, and deductive reasoning ‘when applying them to specific situations (Herr, 2007). Even if all of the premises are true in a statement, inductive reasoning may still yield false conclusion. Examples of deductive reasoning: = Astpremise: All numbers ending in 0 or 5 are divisible by 5. 2nd premise : The number 35 ends with a5 Conclusior Therefore, 35 is divisible by 5. = Ast premise: All squares are rectangles. 2nd premise: All rectangles have four sides. Conclusion: Therefore, all squares have four sides. = Ist premise: Cacti are plants. 2nd premise: All plants perform photosynthesis. Conclusion: Therefore, cacti perform photosynthesis, = Ist premise: All men are mortal. 2nd premise: Algebra teachers are men. Conclusion: ‘Therefore, Algebra teachers are mortal. 57vor 58 = Istpremise : Some students of Cavite State University are taking up BS Applieg Mathematics. 2nd premise Students of this University are scholars. Conclusion: Therefore, students taking up BS Applied Mathematics in this University are ‘scholars. Examples of inductive reasoning: = Ast premise: John is an excellent swimmer, 2nd premise : John's family has a swimming pool. Conclusion: « John's sister Mary must also be an excellent swimmer. = Ist premise: Elijah is good looking . 2nd premise : Elijah is well-behaved. Conclusion: Therefore, all good looking are well-behaved, = Ast premise The coin pulled from a bag is a penny. 2nd premise : ‘Assecond coin from the bag is a penny. Conclusion. Therefore, all the coins in the bag are pennies. mu Ist premise Children in the day care center are playful 2nd premise : Children in the day care center like to play with Legos. Conclusion: Therefore, playful children like to play Legos. Mathematics in the Modern WorldB, _ Intuition, Proof and Certainty Intuition is the ability to understand something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning. It is instinctive knowledge, meaning the state of being aware of or knowing something without having to discover or perceive it, or the ability to do this. Itis the instinctive belief, meaning that something is known or believed instinctively, without actual evidence for it. In the traditional _way of dealing with mathematics, mathematicians use their intuition and imagination to come up with theorems. Then, they do a lot of work to try to fillin the proofs and check what's true. ‘Amathematical proof is an argument which convinces other people that something is true. Proof is an inferential argument for a mathematical statement. It is a conclusive evidence or an argument that serves to establish a fact or the truth of something. Proof consists of a test or trial of something to establish that its true. In direct proof, the conclusion is established by logically combining the axioms, definitions and earlier theorems. For example, direct proof can be used to establish that the sum of two even integers is always even : consider two even integers x and y. Since they are even, they can be written as x= 2a and y= 2b, respectively, for integers a and b. Then the sum x + y = 2a +2b = 2(a+b). Therefore x+y has 2 as a factor and, by definition, is even. Hence the sum of any two even integers is even. This proof uses the definition of even integers, the integer properties of closure under addition and milltiplication and distributivity (Mathematical Proof, 2017). Certainty is total continuity and validity of inquiries to the highest degree of Precision. Certainty is a conclusion or outcome that is beyond doubt. A mathematical certainty is something that is certain or most likely to happen. ©. Polya’s Four Steps to Problem Solving Problem solving is an artistic science! There is no single approach in problem solving that works all the time Each problem is slightly different. George Polya (1887 — 1985), known as the father of modern problem solving who did extensive studies and wrote Papers and books about problem solving, formulated the four-step approach to problem solving. Polya's four-step approach to problem solving aims to make individuals as better Problem solvers 59Wire: ee Year & Section : Date es ee © ASSESSMENT 1 Deductive and Inductive Reasoning On the space provided before each number, write DR if the conclusion is reached thru deductive reasoning; andwrite IR if the conclusion is reached thru inductive reasoning: 10. Aqquadrilaterals has four sides. Assquare has four sides. Therefore, a square is a quadrilateral IfA=BandB=C, then A=C. My Geometry teacher this semester is skinny. My Geometry teacher last semester was skinny Therefore, Geometry teachers are skinny. All even numbers are divisible by 2. 18 is an even number. Therefore, 28 is divisible by 2. Angles A, Band Care angles inside a triangle. The sum of the angles of any triangle equals 1800, ‘Therefore, the sum of angles A, B and C equals 1800, ‘Acute angles are less than 900 and angle @ is 420, so this angle @ is acute. ‘All numbers ending in 0 or 5 are divisible by 5. 80 ends with 0 and 45 ends in 5. Therefore, 80 and 45 are divisible by 5. Sets A and Bare equal. Equal sets are equivalent. Therefore, Sets A and B are equivalent. Mass and weight are directly proportional. Mass is directly proportional to force. Therefore, weight is directly proportional to force. The symbols x and * indicate multiplication operation. The symbols / and + indicate division operation. + , /and + are operation symbols. Therefore, x,