Logical Reasoning: Syllogisms
Syllogisms are logical arguments that apply deductive reasoning to arrive at a conclusion based on two or more premises. Master the "Most" and "Some" rules to avoid traps.
The Standard Format
Premise 1: All Filipinos are hospitable.
Premise 2: Maria is a Filipino.
Conclusion: Maria is hospitable.
Sa Board Exam logic, ang "Most" (Karamihan) ay hindi "All" (Lahat). Ibig sabihin may exception (51% to 99%). Huwag mong i-assume na "All" sila unless sinabi ng prompt.
If one premise is Negative (e.g., "No dogs are cats"), the conclusion MUST also be Negative. Kapag may "No" o "Not" sa taas, dapat may "No" o "Not" din sa sagot!
Venn Diagrams & Set Theory
Visualizing relationships between groups. Very useful for solving "Some/All/No" problems.
Lahat ng A ay nasa loob ng B.
May ilang A na B rin (Overlap).
Walang A na B. Hiwalay sila.
Analysis: D is inside S. Some D overlaps with R.
Conclusion: Some Smart people are Rich. (Dahil yung Doctors na rich ay Smart din!)
Coding & Decoding
Letters or numbers are replaced by others based on a pattern. The key is to find the "Shift" (Gaano kalayo ang tinalon ng letra).
D(+2)=F, O(+2)=Q, G(+2)=I. Answer: FQI.
Isulat agad ang A-Z sa scratch paper at lagyan ng numbers (1-26). Mas mabilis mag-bilang kesa sa isip lang!
Data Sufficiency Strategy
Goal: Determine if the information is ENOUGH to answer, not necessarily finding the answer itself.
| Option | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Statement (1) alone is enough. |
| B | Statement (2) alone is enough. |
| C | Both needed together. |
| D | Each is enough alone. |
| E | Neither / Not enough info. |
Takpan ang Statement 2, basahin ang 1. Kaya ba? Tapos takpan ang 1, basahin ang 2. Kaya ba? Pag parehong NO, tsaka mo lang sila pag-samahin.
Seating Arrangement (Linear)
Placing people in a row. Always look for the Anchor (The person with a fixed position).
Kapag sabi "B is between A and C", may dalawang options: A-B-C or C-B-A. Huwag mong kalimutan yung reverse order!
Seating Arrangement (Circular)
People sitting around a round table. The most important thing is Direction (Facing the center vs Facing away).
Facing Center Rule
Right = Anti-clockwise (Paliwa)
Left = Clockwise (Pakanan)
Isipin mong IKAW yung nakaupo dun sa pwesto. Itaas ang kanang kamay para malaman kung nasaan ang "Right." Mas madali kesa mag-memorize ng clockwise!
Abstract Reasoning (Figure Series)
Finding the next shape in a series. Use the M-O-V-E system to analyze changes.
| Letter | Check for... |
|---|---|
| M | Movement (Clockwise rotation, Jump-1) |
| O | Orientation (Facing up, down, flipped) |
| V | Value/Count (Number of dots, sides, lines) |
| E | Element change (Solid to hollow, thick to thin) |
Letter & Number Series
Identifying patterns in sequences. Look for "Skipped" items or alternating series.
Logic: A (BC) D (EF) G (HI) J (KL) M. Pattern: +3 letters.
Pag ang series ay "Taas-Baba-Taas" (e.g. 10, 2, 12, 4, 14...), tumalon ka ng isa (Skip one). Dalawang patterns yan na pinaghalo!
Critical Thinking: Assumptions
An Assumption is an unstated premise. It must be true for the conclusion to make sense.
Assumption: "I want to lose weight" or "Dieting helps health."
Baliktarin ang choice. Kung binaliktad mo siya at NASIRA ang logic ng statement, siya ang tamang assumption!
Direction Sense (Navigating)
Walk North, Turn Right, walk South... where are you now?
-
1
Draw a Compass: Lagay mo sa gilid ng paper para hindi malito.
-
2
Plot the Origin: Lagay ka ng "X" sa start point.
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3
Pythagorean: Pag tinanong ang "Shortest Distance," usually right triangle yan. Use a² + b² = c².
Cause & Effect Analysis
Identify which statement is the reason and which is the result.
1. Heavy rains poured all night.
2. The low-lying areas were flooded.
Test with "BECAUSE": Flood happened BECAUSE of heavy rains. Statement 1 is Cause, 2 is Effect.
Word Analogy & Relationships
Finding pairs with identical relationships (A : B :: C : D).
| Relationship | Example |
|---|---|
| Worker : Tool | Carpenter : Saw |
| Part : Whole | Wheel : Car |
| Product : Source | Milk : Cow |
Gumawa ng sentence gamit ang unang pair. "A carpenter uses a saw." Apply it to the choices. "Does a nurse use a hospital?" No. "Does a doctor use a stethoscope?" Yes!
Strengthening & Weakening Arguments
Analytical thinking used to evaluate claims. Common in situational reasoning.
Strengthen
Find data that supports the link between premise and conclusion.
Weaken
Find an "Alternative Cause" or show the data is unreliable.
Matrix & Grid Logic
Solving complex "Who owns what?" or "Who did what?" problems.
Drawing Valid Inferences
An inference is what you can conclude 100% based ONLY on the given text.
Sa inference, kahit alam mong totoo ang isang bagay sa totoong buhay, kung wala ito sa paragraph, HUWAG itong piliin.
Logic Sharpened 🧠
Mastering the patterns of valid reasoning.