Logical Reasoning

Statements and conclusions, syllogisms, blood relations.

Practice — 1 questions Ask AI

Syllogisms

All-some-no statements; Venn diagram method.

Logical reasoning — types, tricks, sample patterns

Notes

LOGICAL REASONING assesses one's ability to reason through verbal/non-verbal puzzles.

Common in: SSC, IBPS, CAT, GATE, UPSC, placements.

TOPICS COVERED:

Series (covered Pack 16).
Analogy (covered Pack 17 — aptitude-logical).
Classification.
Coding-decoding (covered Pack 14).
Direction sense (covered Pack 14).
Blood relations.
Seating arrangement (covered Pack 12).
Syllogisms (covered Pack 12).
Puzzles (covered Pack 17).
Statement assumption / conclusion.
Course of action.
Cause-effect.
Venn diagrams (logical).
Data sufficiency (covered Pack 16).
Pattern matching, mathematical.

KEY STRATEGIES:

A. Quick scan, then deep dive.
For series, analogy, classification: quick scan for pattern; if unclear, try alternate patterns.

B. Visualize.
Draw — seating, family tree, Venn diagram, direction map.

C. Use options.
For multiple-choice, work backward from options if direct deduction is slow.

D. Eliminate.
Cross out wrong options; reduce to 2 then pick.

TYPES OF QUESTIONS — DEEP DIVE:

1. Analogy:

A : B :: C : ?

Relation types:

Synonym/Antonym.
Action-object: doctor-patient, lawyer-client.
Part-whole: leaf-tree, branch-river.
Worker-tool: carpenter-saw.
Cause-effect: study-knowledge.
Number patterns: 2:8 :: 3:27 (cubes).

2. Classification (odd-one-out):

Given 4-5 items; find the one that doesn't fit.

Approach: identify the common property; spot exception.

Examples:

Mango, Apple, Carrot, Banana → Carrot (vegetable).
25, 36, 49, 64, 81 → all squares (no exception).

3. Mathematical operations:

Decode operators in non-standard symbols.

Example: "If + means ×, − means ÷, × means +, ÷ means −. Find 12 × 4 + 3 − 2 ÷ 1."

Decode: × becomes +, + becomes ×, − becomes ÷, ÷ becomes −.
So: 12 + 4 × 3 ÷ 2 − 1 = 12 + 12/2 − 1 = 12 + 6 − 1 = 17.

4. Statement & Argument:

Statement: "Smoking should be banned in public places."
Argument I: "Yes, it causes harm to non-smokers." → Strong; supports.
Argument II: "No, individual freedom matters." → Weak; addresses individual not direct harm.

Determine which argument is STRONG.

5. Logical Venn:

3 categories (e.g., doctors, women, sportsmen):

Draw 3 overlapping circles.
Find areas (only doctors, doctor+women, all three, etc.).

6. Course of action:

Statement: "Crime rate in city X has risen."
Course I: Police should patrol more. → Strong; addresses.
Course II: Ban citizens from streets. → Drastic; not feasible.

Identify which is correct/feasible.

ADVANCED — Mathematical reasoning:

Q1. If 1 + 1 = 0, 2 + 2 = 4, 3 + 3 = 24, what is 4 + 4?

Pattern: n + n = n × (n − 1) × 2? Check:

1×0×2 = 0. ✓
2×1×2 = 4. ✓
3×2×2 = 12. But given 24. So different.
Try: n × n × 2? 1, 4, 18, 32. No.
Try cube: 1, 8, 27, 64. No.

Hmm, let me try: 1+1 = 0 (= 1−1?); 2+2 = 4 (= 2×2?); 3+3 = 24 (= 3×4×2? or 6×4?). Pattern: 6 + 18 = 24? Sum to next? It's unclear without more data — could be a made-up answer pattern in the original.

(Such questions test pattern detection — try multiple hypotheses.)

STRATEGY FOR EXAM:

Time: 30-60 sec / question for easy types; 1-3 min for puzzles.

Order:

Series, analogy (fast).
Classification (medium).
Coding-decoding, direction (medium).
Blood relations, seating (medium-hard).
Puzzles (hard).
Statement/conclusion (medium-hard).

Skip puzzles in time-pressured exam; do them last.

EXAM HOOKS:

Series: differences, ratios, squares, primes.
Analogy: relation type identification.
Classification: find common; spot exception.
Puzzles: tables.
Statement-conclusion: verify each conclusion is forced.
Cause-effect: distinguish independent events.

Blood relations

Family tree drawing technique.