If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website. If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked. Recommended textbooks for you Algebra and Trigonometry (6th Edition) Contemporary Abstract Algebra Publisher:Cengage Learning Linear Algebra: A Modern Introduction Publisher:Cengage Learning Algebra And Trigonometry (11th Edition) Introduction to Linear Algebra, Fifth Edition Publisher:Wellesley-Cambridge Press College Algebra (Collegiate Math) Author:Julie Miller, Donna Gerken Publisher:McGraw-Hill Education Algebra and Trigonometry (6th Edition) ISBN:9780134463216 Author:Robert F. Blitzer Publisher:PEARSON Contemporary Abstract Algebra ISBN:9781305657960 Author:Joseph Gallian Publisher:Cengage Learning Linear Algebra: A Modern Introduction ISBN:9781285463247 Author:David Poole Publisher:Cengage Learning Algebra And Trigonometry (11th Edition) ISBN:9780135163078 Author:Michael Sullivan Publisher:PEARSON Introduction to Linear Algebra, Fifth Edition ISBN:9780980232776 Author:Gilbert Strang Publisher:Wellesley-Cambridge Press College Algebra (Collegiate Math) ISBN:9780077836344 Author:Julie Miller, Donna Gerken Publisher:McGraw-Hill Education
Inductive Reasoning is a reasoning that is based on patterns you observe. If you observe a pattern in a sequence, you can use inductive reasoning to decide the next successive terms of the sequence. A conclusion you reach using inductive reasoning is called a conjecture . Examining several specific situations to arrive at a conjecture is called inductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning is different than proof. It can be used to make predictions, but it should never be used to make certain claims. For that, you need deductive reasoning and mathematical proof.
Example : Find a pattern for the sequence. Use the pattern to find the next three terms in the sequence. 2 , 4 , 7 , 11 , ... From the given sequence we have, 4 − 2 = 2 7 − 4 = 3 11 − 7 = 4 Observe that, the difference between 4 and 2 is 2 and the difference between 7 and 4 is 3 and so on. The difference between the consecutive numbers is increased by 1 . So, add 5 to 11 , to get the next term of the sequence. 11 + 5 = 16 Now add 6 to get the next term and so on. 16 + 6 = 22 22 + 7 = 29 Therefore, the next three terms in the sequence will be 16 , 22 , and 29 . |