ACT Preparation / Unit 21 ACT 2005 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Deductive Reasoning
Captions available
The idea
Deductive reasoning moves from a general principle to a specific prediction, which holds as long as the principle holds. It is the logic of hypothesis-based science.
In practice
If plants need light to make food, then a plant kept in darkness should eventually weaken.
Where people slip
Deduction runs from general to specific; induction runs from specific to general.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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