How to Master Inductive Reasoning from Patterns

Inductive reasoning draws a general rule from specific observations. It suggests what is probably true rather than proving it, which is exactly why a conjecture reached inductively still needs a deductive proof.

Worked examples: inductive reasoning from a pattern

Practice questions on inductive reasoning

1. Given the sequence: (3, 6, 9, 12…) what might be the next two numbers?
2. In a pattern, the first figure has (4) sides, the second figure has (8) sides, and the third figure has (12) sides. If the pattern continues, how many sides might the fourth figure have?
3. Consider a sequence where every number is tripled to get the next: (1, 3, 9…). What could be the next number in the sequence?

1. Observing the pattern of adding (3), the next two numbers could be (15) and (18).
2. Noticing an increase of (4) sides for each subsequent figure, the fourth figure might have (16) sides.
3. Tripling the last number, (9), gives (27). Thus, the next number could be (27).

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