Aptitude · Logical reasoning
Syllogisms, made easy
💡 The idea
A conclusion follows only if it is true in every picture that fits the statements. Draw the circles; if you can draw one picture where it is false, it does not follow.
Draw the statements→Try to break the conclusion→True in every picture?→Follows
🧭 The method: 3 steps
- All A are B: A sits inside B. No A is B: apart. Some A are B: they overlap.
- For each conclusion, try to draw a picture where it is false.
- If you cannot, it follows.
🎬 Every kind of question, in pictures
Pick a kind. Guess the answer first, then watch the picture work it out. Tap any step to see it in the picture.
Loading the pictures…
✏️ Worked examples
Example 1. All pens are books. All books are cups. Does “All pens are cups” follow?
- Pens inside books, books inside cups
- So pens are inside cups
⚡ Shortcut: Yes, it follows
⚠️ Where people go wrong
- Using real-world knowledge: only the statements count.
- “Some A are B” does NOT mean some A are not B.
- “All A are B” does not mean all B are A.
📌 Remember
- Every possible picture
- All + All = All
- Some + Some = nothing definite