LEAB Deductive and Inductive Reasoning 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: 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?
- Friday (Correct answer)
- Tuesday
- Saturday
- Thursday
Correct answer: Friday
The repeating Mon-Wed-Fri cycle predicts Friday as the next day in the sequence.
Question 2: A suspect's coded messages contain the number series: 3, 6, 12, 24, ___. What is the next number in the series?
- 48 (Correct answer)
- 36
- 30
- 42
Correct answer: 48
Each term doubles the previous one; 24 multiplied by 2 equals 48.
Question 3: 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?
- The vehicle warrants investigation as a possible match (Correct answer)
- The vehicle is definitely the getaway car
- The vehicle should be immediately impounded
- The driver should be arrested on the spot
Correct answer: The vehicle warrants investigation as a possible match
Inductive reasoning from repeated observations supports investigation of the match, but does not establish certainty.
Question 4: 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?
- 73 (Correct answer)
- 70
- 68
- 75
Correct answer: 73
The series increases by 7 each month; adding 7 to April's 66 gives 73 for May.
Question 5: 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?
- Shoplifters at that mall tend to be young adults (Correct answer)
- No person over 22 will ever shoplift at that mall
- The mall only attracts customers aged 15 to 22
- Shoplifting nationwide is committed only by young adults
Correct 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.
Question 6: An investigator notes the following pattern on a suspect's notes: A1, C3, E5, G7, ___. What comes next?
- I9 (Correct answer)
- H8
- I8
- J9
Correct answer: I9
Letters skip one position (A, C, E, G, I) and numbers increase by 2 (1, 3, 5, 7, 9), giving I9.
Question 7: 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?
- July 15 (Correct answer)
- July 8
- July 22
- July 10
Correct answer: July 15
Adding the consistent 14-day interval to July 1 predicts the next incident on July 15.
LEAB Deductive and Inductive Reasoning 3
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?