Syllogisms, also recognized as Syllogistic Reasoning, are one of the most significant topics in the reasoning section of many prominent examinations. This topic usually has a high weightage in the exams that eventually entails more marks. But these Syllogism questions are usually not that easy to solve. If that were the situation, everybody would be more than pleased to attempt these Syllogism questions. The real obstruction to solving these types of questions is that it devours a whole lot of time, therefore sparing only a portion of time for additional questions of that section. If done using a correct approach, Syllogism can create or break your sectional cutoffs and, in turn, final scores as well, which may eventually be the disparity between the chosen and the not chosen candidate.

Syllogism is a game played by circles, understandably. Generally, statements will be provided, and we have to find a suitable conclusion that pursues the statements. In Reverse Syllogism, as the name implies, Conclusions will be provided, and we have to find suitable statements which convince the conclusions.

Syllogism, in logic, is a convincing deductive argument containing two premises and a conclusion. The conventional kind is the definite syllogism in which both premises and the conclusion are easy declarative statements that are created using just three simple terms between them, every term emerging twice (as a subject and as a predicate): “All men are mortal; no gods are mortal; consequently no men are gods.” The argument in these syllogisms is legitimate by virtue of the fact that it would not be achievable to affirm the premises and refute the conclusion without denying oneself.

Tips and Tricks to crack Syllogism based Questions

Following are a few handy tips that you should pursue to solve syllogism questions

  • Get through each and every statement one by one.
  • Understand how you should draw Venn Diagrams for every statement.
  • Try to discover the outline of the question.
  • Understand how to scrutinise the conclusion for every statement.
  • The key point you must remember is that you have to endeavour the Syllogism question in a chronological manner.

Positive Terms: ‘All’ and ‘Some’ are positive terms.

Negative Terms: ‘No’ and ‘Some Not’ are negative terms.

Universal Positive statements: When all the statements are positive in a choice, then it is known as Universal positive.

Universal Negative statements: When all the statements are negative in a choice, then it is known as Universal negative.

Syllogism Tricks – Reverse Syllogism

RULE 1:

Positive Statements

All + All

Some + All

All + Some

Negative Statements:

No + All

Some + No

All + Some Not

Some + Some Not

RULE 2:

Positive statement + Positive statement = Positive conclusion

Negative statement + Negative statement = No conclusion

Positive statement + Negative statement = Negative Conclusion

RULE 3:

Remove the Universal Negative Statement. As Negative + Negative provides you with no conclusion.

Remove the Universal Positive Statement on the basis of the given conclusion

EXAMPLE 1:

CONCLUSIONS: 

(i) Some cats are dogs.

(ii) Some cows are cats.

STATEMENTS:

  1. A) All cats are horses. Some horses are cows. No cow is a dog.
  2. B) All cats are horses. No horse is a cow. All cows are dog
  3. C) Some cats are horses. All horses are cows. No cow is a dog.
  4. D) Some cats are horses. All horses are cows. All cows are dogs.

EXPLANATION:

In this case, the ingredients in both the conclusions are positive consequences; the statements should be Universal positive statements with similar ingredients.

In Option A, there prevails a negative statement. So, it’s removed.

In Option B, there prevails a negative statement. So, it’s removed.

In Option C, there prevails a negative statement. So, it’s removed.

In Option D, All the statements are positive with the same ingredients as in conclusion.

So, Option D pursues.

EXAMPLE 2:

CONCLUSIONS: 

(i) Some plates are not spoons.

(ii) Some plates are glasses.

STATEMENTS:

  1. A) All spoons are glasses. Some glasses are plates. Some plates are bowls.
  2. B) Some spoons are glasses. Some glasses are plates. All plates are bowls.
  3. C) No spoon is a glass. All glasses are plates. Some plates are bowls.
  4. D) All spoons are glasses. Some glasses are plates. Some plates are bowls.

EXPLANATION:

In this case, there are both positive and negative ingredients in conclusion. Consequently, the statement should also enclose positive and negative statements.

In Option A, there is a Universal positive statement. So, it’s removed.

In Option B, there is a Universal positive statement. So, it’s removed.

Option C has both negative and positive statements. So, Option C pursues.

In Option D, there is a Universal positive statement. So, it’s removed.

Conclusion

Syllogism is contained under the Verbal Reasoning Section and is a very vital topic that is frequently asked in almost all competitive exams. These kinds of questions are very plainly structured. They usually have two or more statements. These statements are subsequently trailed by several conclusions. On the basis of statements, you have to discover the genuineness of the conclusions. In plain words, you have to discover that from the given statements which conclusion sensibly follows them.