Verbal Reasoning - Syllogism - Discussion

Discussion Forum : Syllogism - Syllogism 1 (Q.No. 5)
Directions to Solve

In each of the following questions two statements are given and these statements are followed by two conclusions numbered (1) and (2). You have to take the given two statements to be true even if they seem to be at variance from commonly known facts. Read the conclusions and then decide which of the given conclusions logically follows from the two given statements, disregarding commonly known facts.

Give answer:

  • (A) If only (1) conclusion follows
  • (B) If only (2) conclusion follows
  • (C) If either (1) or (2) follows
  • (D) If neither (1) nor (2) follows and
  • (E) If both (1) and (2) follow.

5.

Statements: Some papers are pens. All the pencils are pens.

Conclusions:

  1. Some pens are pencils.
  2. Some pens are papers.

Only (1) conclusion follows
Only (2) conclusion follows
Either (1) or (2) follows
Neither (1) nor (2) follows
Both (1) and (2) follow
Answer: Option
Explanation:
Discussion:
62 comments Page 1 of 7.

Anvitha said:   1 decade ago
Can anyone please explain this?

The word commomn in both the statements should not come in the conclusion na, then how the answer will be E.

Aishwarya.Y said:   1 decade ago
Actually the answer is based on "convergence" formula of both. It is true in both cases of venn diagram. So both 1 and 2 folllows.

Swagata said:   1 decade ago
Firstly.

If we go according to the distributed and undistributed pattern. Since the middle term "pens" isnt distributed even once.

So the statements donot hav any conclusion.

Secondly,

I agree with anvitha. The word "pens", since common should not come in the conclusion.

Kiran said:   1 decade ago
If we go according to the distributed and undistributed pattern.

Only Conclusion 2 follows.

Because middle term "pencils" is distributed from statement2.

Bhagya naidu said:   1 decade ago
Some easy method is necessary to know about it easily.

Dr. E Rajeevan said:   1 decade ago
1. "Some pens are pencils" cannot follow since in the syllogism, the middle term (pen)is not distributed. This is shown by the fig.1 given. in deductive arguments conclusions that are ceratain can only be considered.

2. "Some pens are papers" follows from "Some papers are pens" using the rule of conversion.

Hence the ansswer is B; "Only (2) conclusion follows"

If possible, use Venn diagrams or Syllogistic rules to solve such problems.

The diagrams of the type given above may not exhaust all possibilities and hence can be erroneous.

Even in using such diagrams, look for the possibility of rejecting the conclusion rather than accepting it. If there is any possibility to reject, reject it.

In addition, one may use the rules of opposition (contradictory, contrary, sub-contrary and sub-alternation) and eduction such as conversion obversion contraposition and inversion to attempt all such problems.

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1. "Some pens are pencils" cannot follow since in the syllogism, the middle term is not distributed. This is shown by the fig.1 given. In deductive arguments conclusions that are certain can only be considered.

2. "Some pens are papers" follows using the rule of conversion from "Some papers are pens".

Hence the answer is B "Only (2) conclusion follows"

Dr. E Rajeevan
e_r(at)rediffmail.com
(2)

KASI REDDY said:   1 decade ago
TO this problem answer is given "D" so which one is correct answer please explain this?

Ajit said:   1 decade ago
According to the rule 3 of syllogism, the middle term should be distributed. Here the middle term is not distributed.

Shruthi said:   1 decade ago
can anyone tell the correct answer ?

Kushal said:   1 decade ago
I think only CONCLUSION II follows . Can anyone elaborate the explanation


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