Math
Inductive reasoning.
Definition
A type of reasoning that draws general conclusions from specific observations or patterns. While inductive reasoning can suggest a conclusion is likely true, it does not guarantee it—a single counterexample can disprove the conclusion.
Examples
Real-world.
- 1 Observing that 2, 4, 6, 8 are all even and concluding the pattern continues
- 2 Noticing the sum of angles in several triangles is 180° and generalizing to all triangles
- 3 Testing several values and conjecturing that n² + n is always even