🧠 Verbal Logical Reasoning: Analytical Reasoning
The Detective’s Toolkit 🔍
Imagine you’re a detective. Every day, people tell you things. But here’s the secret: not everything people say is complete. Sometimes they hide things. Sometimes they jump to conclusions. Your job? Find the truth hidden in their words!
This is exactly what Analytical Reasoning is about. You become a word detective who uncovers hidden meanings, tests arguments, and separates good logic from bad logic.
🎯 The Big Picture
Think of a statement like a tree:
- The trunk is what someone says (the statement)
- The roots are what they assume (hidden beliefs)
- The branches are what follows from it (conclusions)
- The fruits are the actions we should take
graph TD A["🌳 Statement"] --> B["🌱 Roots: Assumptions"] A --> C["🌿 Branches: Conclusions"] A --> D["🍎 Fruits: Actions"] B --> E[What they believe but don't say] C --> F["What logically follows"] D --> G["What we should do"]
Let’s explore each type, one by one!
1️⃣ Statement-Assumption
What is an Assumption?
An assumption is like the invisible floor you stand on. You don’t see it, but without it, everything falls!
Simple Example:
Mom says: “Take an umbrella, it might rain.”
What did Mom assume?
- ✅ You’re going outside
- ✅ An umbrella protects from rain
- ✅ You don’t want to get wet
She never SAID these things, but her statement only makes sense if they’re true!
The Magic Test 🪄
Negation Test: Flip the assumption upside down. If the statement becomes silly, that assumption was needed!
Statement: “Let’s order pizza for dinner”
Test assumption: “Pizza delivery is available”
Flip it: “Pizza delivery is NOT available”
Does “Let’s order pizza” make sense now? NO!
✅ So “Pizza delivery is available” IS an assumption!
Practice Example
Statement: “Apply this cream to cure your headache.”
What’s assumed?
- ✅ The cream can cure headaches
- ✅ You have a headache
- ❌ You like the smell of cream (NOT assumed - irrelevant!)
2️⃣ Statement-Conclusion
What is a Conclusion?
A conclusion is what definitely follows from a statement. It’s like seeing smoke and knowing there’s fire!
Simple Example:
“All birds have feathers. Sparrow is a bird.”
Conclusion: Sparrow has feathers! ✅
This must be true if the statements are true.
The Safety Rule 🛡️
A good conclusion:
- Doesn’t add new information
- Doesn’t exaggerate
- Follows directly from what’s said
Example:
“This library is open only on weekdays.”
| Conclusion | Valid? |
|---|---|
| The library is closed on Sunday | ✅ Yes |
| The library has good books | ❌ No (new info!) |
| The library is open Monday | ✅ Yes |
3️⃣ Statement-Inference
What is an Inference?
An inference is a smart guess based on the statement. It’s probably true, but not guaranteed!
Think of it like weather:
- Conclusion: It’s definitely going to rain (100% sure)
- Inference: It will probably rain (likely, not certain)
Simple Example:
“Sales of ice cream increase in summer.”
Inference: People prefer cold foods when it’s hot.
This is a reasonable guess, but maybe some people just eat more in summer! 🤷
Inference Levels
graph TD A["Definitely True"] --> B["Probably True"] B --> C["Data Not Enough"] C --> D["Probably False"] D --> E["Definitely False"] style A fill:#22c55e style B fill:#84cc16 style C fill:#eab308 style D fill:#f97316 style E fill:#ef4444
Example:
“Company X’s profits doubled this year.”
| Inference | Level |
|---|---|
| Company X made profit | ✅ Definitely True |
| Company X has good management | 🤔 Probably True |
| Company X will merge | ⚠️ Data Not Enough |
4️⃣ Statement-Argument
What is an Argument?
An argument is a reason given to support or oppose something. Like a lawyer defending a case!
Two Types:
- Strong Argument: Directly related, important, realistic
- Weak Argument: Vague, emotional, or not directly related
Simple Example:
Statement: “Should students wear uniforms?”
| Argument | Strong/Weak? |
|---|---|
| “Uniforms reduce peer pressure about clothes” | 💪 Strong |
| “My friend doesn’t like uniforms” | 😕 Weak |
| “Uniforms save time getting ready” | 💪 Strong |
| “Blue is a nice color” | 😕 Weak (irrelevant!) |
The Strength Test 💪
Ask yourself:
- Is it directly about the topic?
- Is it a real, practical concern?
- Does it apply to most people, not just one?
If YES to all three = Strong Argument!
5️⃣ Cause and Effect
What is Cause and Effect?
One thing makes another thing happen. Like dominoes falling!
Simple Example:
“It rained heavily. The match was cancelled.”
🌧️ Cause: Heavy rain ⚽ Effect: Match cancelled
Types of Relationships
graph LR A["Event A"] -->|causes| B["Event B"] C["Event C"] -->|causes| D["Event D"] E["Event E"] -.->|independent| F["Event F"]
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| A causes B | Fire → Smoke |
| B causes A | Smoke → Fire |
| Independent | Rain and Traffic (both happen, unrelated) |
| Common Cause | Both caused by something else |
Tricky Example:
“Ice cream sales rise. Drowning cases rise.”
Does ice cream cause drowning? NO! Both are caused by summer (common cause)! 🌞
6️⃣ Course of Action
What is Course of Action?
When there’s a problem, what should we DO about it?
Simple Example:
Problem: “Traffic jams waste people’s time.”
| Action | Good? | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Build more roads | ✅ Yes | Directly solves problem |
| Ban all cars | ❌ No | Too extreme, not practical |
| Improve public transport | ✅ Yes | Reduces cars, practical |
| Punish late workers | ❌ No | Doesn’t address cause |
The Action Checklist ✅
A good course of action:
- 🎯 Addresses the problem directly
- ⚖️ Is practical and realistic
- 🚫 Doesn’t create new problems
- 👥 Considers everyone affected
Example:
Problem: “Students are failing math exams.”
| Action | Follow? |
|---|---|
| Cancel math exams | ❌ Avoids problem, doesn’t solve |
| Extra tutoring classes | ✅ Directly helps |
| Fire all teachers | ❌ Extreme, unfair |
| Provide practice materials | ✅ Practical solution |
7️⃣ Assertion and Reason
What is Assertion-Reason?
Two statements are given:
- Assertion (A): A claim or fact
- Reason ®: An explanation for it
Your job: Figure out how they connect!
Simple Example:
A: Plants are green. R: Plants contain chlorophyll.
Both are true! And R explains A! ✅
The Connection Map
graph TD A{Is A true?} -->|Yes| B{Is R true?} A -->|No| C["A is false"] B -->|Yes| D{Does R explain A?} B -->|No| E["A true, R false"] D -->|Yes| F["✅ Both true, R explains A"] D -->|No| G[Both true, R doesn't explain A]
All Possible Answers
| Scenario | What to Choose |
|---|---|
| A true, R true, R explains A | ✅ Both true, R is correct explanation |
| A true, R true, R doesn’t explain A | ⚠️ Both true, but R is NOT the explanation |
| A true, R false | A is true, R is false |
| A false, R true | A is false, R is true |
| Both false | Both A and R are false |
Example:
A: The sun rises in the East. R: The Earth rotates from West to East.
- A is TRUE ✅
- R is TRUE ✅
- Does R explain A? YES! The Earth’s rotation direction causes the sun to appear in the East.
🎮 Quick Reference Table
| Type | Question Asked | Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Assumption | What’s taken for granted? | Hidden beliefs |
| Conclusion | What definitely follows? | Logical certainty |
| Inference | What’s probably true? | Reasonable guesses |
| Argument | Is this reason strong? | Relevance & practicality |
| Cause-Effect | What caused what? | Real connections |
| Course of Action | What should we do? | Practical solutions |
| Assertion-Reason | How do these connect? | Truth + explanation |
🌟 The Detective’s Golden Rules
- Read twice, answer once - Don’t rush!
- Stick to what’s given - No outside knowledge
- Test extreme cases - Does it still make sense?
- Watch for trap words - “All”, “Never”, “Only”
- Trust your logic - If something feels off, check again!
🚀 You’re Ready!
You now have the detective’s toolkit:
- 🔍 Find hidden assumptions
- 📝 Draw safe conclusions
- 🤔 Make smart inferences
- 💪 Test argument strength
- 🔗 Spot cause and effect
- 🎯 Pick the right course of action
- 🧩 Connect assertions and reasons
Remember: Analytical reasoning isn’t about being smart. It’s about being careful and systematic. Like a detective, follow the clues, and the answer will find you!
Happy Detecting! 🕵️♂️