Verbal Reasoning - Syllogism - Discussion

If we go according to the distributed and undistributed pattern.

Only Conclusion 2 follows.

Option B is the correct answer.

Some pens are pencils (pencils is inside the pen circle so option B is the correct answer).

Only 1 follows is the correct answer.

As the pens are not distributed in both statements. I think D is the correct option.

I think B will be the answer, only B follows. How can A will Be true? all Pencils are pen, so how some pens are pencils?

Let's evaluate each conclusion:

Some pens are pencils.

This conclusion can be derived from the given statements since we know that some papers are pens and all pencils are pens, it implies that there must be an overlapping region between pens and pencils. (True)

Some pens are paper.

This conclusion cannot be derived from the given statements. The statements only provide information about the relationship between papers and pens and between pencils and pens. There is no direct connection between papers and pencils on the given premises. (False)

So, the correct option is:
a) Only (1) conclusion follows

Explanation:
The first conclusion (Some pens are pencils) follows logically from the given statements since there is an overlap between the sets of papers and pencils within the set of pens.

However, the second conclusion (Some pens are paper) does not follow the given statements. There is no direct link established between papers and pencils in the provided premises. Therefore, we cannot draw this conclusion with certainty.

The answer is correct because we can reverse both statements and come to the conclusion where the first one can be reversed from "Some papers are pens" to "Some pens are paper" and similarly, the second statement can also be reversed from "All the pencils are pens" to "Some pen are pencils". Hence we can say that both conclusions are true i.e. option E. Both (1) and (2) follow.

The answer is D. The repeated term, "pens" cannot be used for the conclusion.

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

The Answer is D because the repeated term can not give a conclusion.