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A comprehensive overview of logical reasoning concepts relevant to the lsat exam. It covers various question types, argument structures, and strategies for narrowing down correct answers. Key topics include deductive and inductive arguments, conditional reasoning (if/then statements), and common logical fallacies. The document also offers practical tips for approaching logical reasoning questions, such as identifying premises, assumptions, and conclusions, and applying logical rules effectively. It is designed to help students develop critical thinking skills and improve their performance on the lsat logical reasoning section.
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What are the basic steps to approaching a question? - answer 1. Stop to consider what the question is really asking
choices and eliminate any that are obviously in the wrong "direction"
LR: How should I pick questions for LR? - answer First, go page by page picking the easiest questions, then start over again on the first page and pick the second easiest questions. Cold guess on the remaining questions LR: What must all logical arguments include? - answer Facts that are accepted as true by all parties and some new facts derived from the established facts LR: What are the established facts that both parties agree on called? - answer Premises
Choose the premise(s), assumption, and conclusion. Also, explained whey Geroge's argument is flawed: Geroge: All white cats are deaf, right? You: I guess so George: And Little Binky is white, right? You: Yes Geroge: Then Little Binky must be deaf You: Okay, I agree - answer Premises: Little Binkey is white; All white cats are deaf Conclusion: Little Binkey is deaf Assumption: Little Binkey is a cat
LR: What is an assumption? - answer A premise that is necessary to make an argument work but is not stated. LR: Can premises stated in a question be assumptions? - answer No LR: What is an inference? - answer The process of making a logical argument and arriving at a conclusion. LR: If a question ask: "Which of the following can be inferred?" , what is it asking? - answer What can be concluded based on valid logic through the given premises?
LR: Does an inference have to be the main conclusion of an argument? - answer No, only a conclusion. LR: What are the two ways in which a logical argument may be flawed? - answer 1. It may use valid logic but do so incorrectly
people and/or objects in sets (established groups) and states certain characteristics about that set. Ex. All baseball players have red sports cars. LR: If I were to use a circle and arrow diagram to help me with this set deductive argument, what would I circle and what would the arrows point to? : "Any small business is an entrepreneurial venture. All entrepreneurial ventures are risky. John's business is a small business. Therefore, John's business is risky." - answer John's business is the smallest circle; around it is a circle for small businesses; around small businesses is a
circle for entrepreneurial ventures, with an arrow pointing to risky. LR: Both If/then and set deductive arguments deal in absolutes, but what is different? - answer Set questions deal with absolute CHARACTERISTICS. If/then deals with absolute RULES about the universe, Ex. "If it rains, it pours." LR: What is the "determining factor" of an if/then argument? What is the result? - answer The independent variable is known as the deterring factor. The dependent variable is the dependent variable.
Rule: If it rains, then the sidewalk will be wet Test: The sidewalk is wet. What must be true Answer: It has rained - answer No. Something else could have wet the sidewalk (b to a; flipped) LR: Is this valid logic? Rule: If it rains, then the sidewalk will be wet Test: The sidewalk is not wet. What must be true
Answer: It has not rained - answer Yes (- b to -a;flipped and negated=contrapostive) LR: What is a contrapositive? - answer A valid statement of logic that switches the original if/then statement around the flips each side's sign: Ex. If you don't eat, then you will be hungry. (-Eat -> hungry) Contrapositive: If I am hungry, then I have not eaten (Hungry -> -eaten)
that is important. Display the if/then mathematically. -Is it saying that the educated becoming complacent guarantees that the empire will crumble or as long as the educated do not become complacent (absence of the educated becoming complacent) the empire will not crumble? LR: In if/then questions, what does unless imply? - answer The absence of the determining factor predicts the absence of intended result. Ex. You will not get into law school unless you take the LSAT (Unless presence of A, the absence of B). This is not to say the the
presence of the LSAT will get you into law school. LR: What does the expression "only if" indicate? - answer The absence of the determining factor predicts absence of intended result. Ex. You will get into law school only if you take the LSAT (Only if presence A, then absence B). The presence of the LSAT does not garuntee you will get in LR: What is the simplification of this statement? "If, and only if, you get accepted into law school will you start law classes in the fall." - answer If you do
"Anyone who drinks milk regularly does not have a calcium deficiency. John does not have a calcium deficiency. - answer Drinking milk regularly and having a calcium deficiency are triggers. John does not match either of these, so we cannot. LR: How can I determine whether something is necessary or sufficent? - answer - If it is the absence of the determining factor that guarantees a result, then it is necessary but not sufficient. Ex. LSAT is necessary for getting into law school but does not guarantee its acceptance.
