Syllogism, in simple words, means inference or conclusion drawn from the given statements. These questions are set to analyze a candidate’s logical aptitude. Syllogism questions contain two or more statements followed by some conclusions. Even though these statements don’t tend to be factually or logically correct, we need to assume these to be true. Then we need to access the relationship between the given statements and check whether the conclusion statements are correct or not.
Importance
If you are gearing up for the speed based exams like NMAT, IIFT, SNAP, MICAT, CMAT, etc. then you don’t want to leave a topic that can help you in increasing your score. The syllogism in reasoning section is a very important topic. It varies from easy to the moderate difficulty level. The question containing 2 or 3 statements can be easily comprehendible and most of the time we end up choosing the correct conclusion. Using the method of Venn Diagram in Syllogism makes the solution to these questions, easy and less time-consuming.
Refer to the below table for more information.
Exam | Year | No. of Questions |
Good Attempt |
Difficulty |
IIFT | 2017 | 1 | 1 | Easy |
CMAT | 2020 | 2 | 2 | Easy |
CMAT | 2018 | 1 | 1 | Easy |
TISSNET | 2018 | 1 | 1 | Easy |
Deductive Reasoning: Deductive reasoning or deductive logic is the process of reasoning from one or more statements to reach a logical conclusion. Deductive reasoning can be considered the same as that of the conditionals i.e. it links premises with conclusions. For example, all men are mortal. Antony is a man. The deductive reasoning or conclusion from these statements is Antony is mortal.
What is disjunctive syllogism?
In classical logic, disjunctive syllogism is a valid argument form which is a syllogism having a disjunctive statement for one of its premises. Here is one of the disjunctive syllogism examples:
The breach is a safety violation, or it is not subject to fines. The breach is not a safety violation. Therefore, it is not subject to fines.
Venn Diagram Logic in Syllogisms: Instead of using conventional methods to solve syllogism questions, we can use the diagrammatical approach. Even if 4 or 5 statements are given, we can find the correct conclusion by drawing the correct Venn diagram. Using the Venn diagram to solve the above example:
CMAT
Q. The following question is given by 2 statements and 2 conclusions numbered I and II. Choose the right answer from the given options.
Statements:
All huts are bungalows.
All bungalows are churches.
Conclusions:
I. Some churches are huts.
II. Some churches are bungalows.
Answer: D
CMAT
Q. In the following question, select one alternative in which the third statement is implied by the first two statements.
A) All wolves are wild. All tigers are wild. So, all tigers are wolves.
B) All buses are boxes. All hens are buses. So, all boxes are hens.
C) All POR can run. All ABC are POR. So, all ABC can run.
D) All oranges are red. Some peaches are strawberries. So, all peaches are red.
Answer: C
TISSNET
Q. If all apples are red, and some apples are juicy, which of the following statements is true?
i) All apples are juicy.
ii) Some juicy apples are red.
iii) Some red apples are juicy.
A) First statement
B) Second and Third Statement
C) Third Statement
D) None of the above
Answer: C
IIFT
Q. In the following question, two statements are given each followed by two conclusions I and II. You have to consider the statements to be true even if they seem to be at variance from commonly known facts. You have to decide which of the given conclusions, if any, follows from the given statements.
Statements:
(I) Most crops are machines.
(II) Some machines are fools.
Conclusion:
(I) Some fools are machines.
(II) Some crops are fools.
Options:
A) Conclusion I follows
B) Conclusion II follows
C) Neither I nor II follows
D) Both I and II follow
Answer: A
• Understand the terms all, some, none, and some not for Syllogisms. For this, we recommend using the MBAP CAT E-Book (Concept Theory) study material.
• Get acquainted with the concepts of Deductive Reasoning and Venn Diagrams. If you find difficulty understanding the concepts, use the MBAP Live Lecture Recording (Basic) on Basic Concepts.
• Start with the two statements questions as it will be easy to visualize the conclusions. To get better clarity on Syllogism, use MBAP CAT E-Book (Practice Questions) and solve all the relevant practice questions. Also, solve the MBAP lecture assignment to complete the basics.
• Check which of the above-mentioned method is working for you. Usually, candidates find it easy to use Venn Diagrams to solve syllogism questions.
• Start shifting to the questions having three statements.
• Try to solve the questions with both methods if you are not sure which method to choose.
• It will be way easier for you to attempt the questions by solving previous year papers. They are all readily available if you use MBAP Topic Wise Previous Year CAT Questions.
• Till now you must be well versed with both the methods and should have selected which method to choose in solving questions in the exam.
• Start solving previous year papers’ questions.
• Time yourself while solving the questions.
• Start doing questions having more than three statements.
• Keep practicing.
• For further advancement on syllogism, use MBAP CAT Advance E-Books and solve the MBAP Previous Year CAT paper.
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