How do I make logical conclusions?

Making logical conclusions is similar to working on a puzzle When you connect the pieces of a puzzle together, you end up with a picture. Likewise, when you add the facts or details together, you get an answer or conclusion to a question or a problem. You get the “big picture”. This type of thinking is called inductive reasoning.

One type of inductive thinking uses the “if-then” model. The “if- then” model of thinking involves combining facts and rules to form a conclusion. Be sure to include all the possible “ifs” (facts, details, and causes) or your conclusion may not be correct.

Example “If you get a job, if you save your money, if you apply for a loan, if your loan application is approved, if you find a house you want to buy, if you can afford the house, then you can own your own house.”

The second type of thinking is called deductive thinking. Deductive thinking involves taking the “whole”, a finished puzzle for example, and dividing it into its pieces. This allows a person to answer a specific question or to solve a problem about a specific part of a puzzle.

Syllogisms, a type of deductive thinking, has three parts. The parts are the major premise (a general truth or idea), the minor premise (a specific idea), and the conclusion. The conclusion is formed be relating the major premise to the minor premise to form a logical relationship. It is important to ensure that the major premise is true. If it is not true, any conclusion formed will not be logical.