NBT Logical Reasoning & Problem Solving 3

Question 1

In a logical argument, if the premise "If it rains, the match is cancelled" is true, and "the match was not cancelled," what can be logically concluded?

Accepted Answer

It did not rain

Answer

This is the rule of "modus tollens": If P → Q, and ¬Q, then ¬P. If rain → cancellation, and the match was NOT cancelled, then it did NOT rain.

Question 2

A sequence: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ___. What is the next term?

Accepted Answer

36

Answer

The sequence consists of perfect squares: 1², 2², 3², 4², 5². The next is 6² = 36.

Question 3

A problem states: "It takes 3 workers 4 days to complete a task. How many days will 6 workers take to complete the same task?"

Accepted Answer

2 days

Answer

Total work = 3 × 4 = 12 worker-days. With 6 workers: 12 ÷ 6 = 2 days.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of inductive reasoning?

Accepted Answer

The sun has risen every day in recorded history; therefore it will rise tomorrow.

Answer

Inductive reasoning draws general conclusions from specific observations. Observing that the sun has risen every day leads to the general conclusion it will keep rising — this is a probabilistic, not guaranteed, conclusion.

Question 5

Five people sit in a row. Amahle sits between Sipho and Zanele. Thandi sits at one end. Rethabile does not sit next to Thandi. Which of the following seating arrangements is possible?

Accepted Answer

Thandi, Sipho, Amahle, Zanele, Rethabile

Answer

Check: Thandi at one end (position 1). Amahle is between Sipho and Zanele (positions 2,3,4 or 3,4,5). Rethabile not next to Thandi (not position 2). Option A: Thandi(1), Sipho(2), Amahle(3), Zanele(4), Rethabile(5). Amahle between Sipho and Zanele ✓. Rethabile at end (position 5), not next to Thandi ✓. Valid.

(NBT) National Benchmark Test Practice Test

(NBT) National Benchmark Test Practice Test

NBT Logical Reasoning & Problem Solving 3