Deductive and Inductive Reasoning Flashcards

Burglaries in the Westside district occurred on the following days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Monday, Wednesday. If the pattern continues, when is the next burglary most likely to occur?

Answer: Friday

The repeating Mon-Wed-Fri cycle predicts Friday as the next day in the sequence.

A suspect's coded messages contain the number series: 3, 6, 12, 24, ___. What is the next number in the series?

Answer: 48

Each term doubles the previous one; 24 multiplied by 2 equals 48.

In five separate incidents, witnesses described a getaway vehicle as a dark-colored sedan with a dented rear bumper. An officer spots a dark sedan with a dented rear bumper nearby. What does inductive reasoning suggest?

Answer: The vehicle warrants investigation as a possible match

Inductive reasoning from repeated observations supports investigation of the match, but does not establish certainty.

Calls for service in a neighborhood over four months: January=45, February=52, March=59, April=66. What is the most likely number for May?

Answer: 73

The series increases by 7 each month; adding 7 to April's 66 gives 73 for May.

Officers observe that every person arrested for shoplifting at a mall over three months was between 15 and 22 years old. Which conclusion is best supported by inductive reasoning?

Answer: Shoplifters at that mall tend to be young adults

Inductive reasoning from the observed sample supports a tendency or pattern, not an absolute or universal rule.

An investigator notes the following pattern on a suspect's notes: A1, C3, E5, G7, ___. What comes next?

Answer: I9

Letters skip one position (A, C, E, G, I) and numbers increase by 2 (1, 3, 5, 7, 9), giving I9.

A serial arsonist has struck every 14 days for the past three incidents. The last fire was on July 1. When should patrols be most intensified?

Answer: July 15

Adding the consistent 14-day interval to July 1 predicts the next incident on July 15.