If you are in the process of preparing for competitive exams or you just want to improve your critical thinking skills, you need to know the types of reasoning. Logical reasoning is the spine of decision making, solving issues, and test scoring. Let’s get to know the 7 types of reasoning you need to know.
1. What Is Deductive Reasoning?
Deductive reasoning is a logical process where conclusions are drawn from a set of premises. It follows a top-down approach.
Example:
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Premise: All humans are mortal.
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Premise: Socrates is a human.
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Conclusion: Socrates is mortal.
This type is often used in mathematics and legal reasoning.
2. What Is Inductive Reasoning?
Inductive reasoning involves drawing general conclusions from specific observations. It’s a bottom-up approach.
Example:
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Observation: The sun has risen in the east every day.
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Conclusion: The sun always rises in the east.
It’s commonly used in scientific research and daily decision-making.
3. What Is Abductive Reasoning?
Abductive reasoning starts with an incomplete set of observations and proceeds to the most likely explanation.
Example:
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Observation: The grass is wet.
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Likely Explanation: It rained last night.
This is often used in diagnostics, such as in medicine and troubleshooting.
4. What Is Analytical Reasoning?
Analytical reasoning is the ability to assess complex information, understand relationships, and solve structured problems.
It is commonly tested in exams like the SSC, UPSC, and bank exams. Practicing this helps when using a logical reasoning book to strengthen skills.
5. What Is Critical Reasoning?
Critical reasoning focuses on evaluating arguments, identifying flaws, and making sound judgments.
This is essential in verbal reasoning sections of exams, and many find it helpful to practice using the best book for logical and reasoning preparation.
Read More: What Are the Best Books for Logical Reasoning?
6. What Is Lateral Reasoning?
Lateral reasoning involves thinking creatively or “outside the box” to find unconventional solutions.
It’s widely used in puzzles, brain teasers, and innovation-related challenges.
7. What Is Numerical Reasoning?
Numerical reasoning is the manipulation of numbers and data interpretation, and mathematical problems.
It is commonly observed in aptitude tests, and it requires excellent practice through a good reasoning book with quantitative parts.
Summary Table of 7 Types of Reasoning
|
Type of Reasoning |
Description |
Common Usage Area |
|---|---|---|
|
Deductive |
From general to specific |
Math, Law |
|
Inductive |
From specific to general |
Science, Everyday Thinking |
|
Abductive |
Most probable explanation |
Medical, Detective Work |
|
Analytical |
Pattern and relationship-based logic |
Competitive Exams |
|
Critical |
Evaluating and questioning arguments |
Essay Writing, Debates |
|
Lateral |
Creative, unconventional thinking |
Puzzles, Business Strategy |
|
Numerical |
Working with numbers and data |
Aptitude Tests, Finance |
Why Should You Learn All 7 Types?
Understanding all 7 types helps in:
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Solving complex problems efficiently
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Excelling in competitive exams
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Enhancing your communication and decision-making
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Mastering sections in books like the logical reasoning book or any best books for logical and reasoning
Regular practice and an understanding of which reasoning type a problem belongs to will help you increase your speed and accuracy. A good reasoning book normally discusses all these types so as to prepare one comprehensively.
If you want to sharpen your logical thinking and ace exams with confidence, learning these 7 reasoning types is the first thing to do.
