Syllogism

The syllogism is kind of a logical argument, where we have to give a genuine reason to arrive at a conclusion, which is based on two or more statements that are mentioned in the question.Go through this page to learn Tips and Tricks to Solve Syllogism questions quickly.

Here we have to keep a note of one thing that all the statements mentioned in the question should be considered valid, even though they are far from reality.

Since Syllogism comprises of some statements, each of which is divided into two parts that are a subject and a predicate.

Subject– a Main matter of discussion.
Predicate– the part which states something about the subject.

There are four types of statements, each of which is mentioned below with the help of an example:

It can be portrayed with the help of a Venn diagram:

From this we can definitely conclude that:

All P’s are Q’s
Some P’s are Q’s
And some Q’s are P’s

But we cannot be sure that:

All Q’s are P’s
Some Q’s are not P’s

From the diagram we can definitely conclude that:

No P’s are Q’s
No Q’s are P’s
Some P’s are not Q’s
Some Q’s are not P’s
And there is no possible conclusion

From the diagram we can definitely conclude that:

Some P’s are Q’s
Some Q’s are P’s

Possible conclusion:

All P’s are Q’s
All Q’s are P’s
Some P’s are not Q’s
Some Q’s are not P’s.

Hence from the above diagrams we’ve summarised some quick Tips and Tricks to be memorized, to Solve Syllogism questions:

Definite cases: (For questions containing only two items)

All+ All= All
All+ No= No
All+ Some= No conclusion
Some+ All= Some
Some+ No= Some Not
Some+ Some= No conclusion

Possible cases:

1)If all P’s are Q’s that does not mean that all Q’s are P’s which means that some Q’s cannot be P.

All P’s are Q’s—->Some Q’s are not P’s

2)If some Q’s are not P’s——->There is possibility that all P’s are not Q’s

3)If some P’s are Q’s——->There is possibility that all P’s are Q’s and all Q’s are P’s

1.) Verbal Method

Test takers relatively less use the verbal way of explaining syllogism questions. The test taker understands the set of premises and based on the ability to understand the assumptions, verbally derives a conclusion. The method is useful for less complicated questions.

For example

Statement I: Some human is rich.
Statement II: All rich are men.

Conclusion:

1. Some human is a man.
2.All men are rich.

Options:

The only Conclusion I follows
Only Conclusion II follows
Either conclusion I or Conclusion II follows
Neither conclusion I nor Conclusion II follows

Answer:1

Explanation:

From the above statements it is clear that some humans are rich and all rich are man, therefore there is a possibility that some some humans are man.

2.) Venn Diagram method

The Venn diagram method allows the test taker to solve the questions diagrammatically. This method is very useful in solving syllogism questions. This is illustrated well with the help of some bullet points mentioned below:

Firstly we have to draw the diagram based on the given statements.
Then we have to check which conclusion follow the given information, with the help of the diagram.
If the Conclusion is fulfilling one condition but is not accomplishing the other conditions represented in the diagram, then it will not be considered as a conclusion.
Hence the final conclusion should be made only if it follows all the possible conditions.