Understanding Analogy and Classification | Mathematical Olympiad Class 8 PDF Download

What is Analytical Reasoning?

Analytical Reasoning evaluates a candidate's analytical skills. This section, which includes logical and analytical reasoning, is among the more challenging parts of competitive exams. Key topics in analytical reasoning include Statement and Argument, Statement and Assumption, Statement and Conclusion, Statement and Course of Action, Syllogism, Cause and Effects, and more. Let's explore the different types of analytical reasoning below.

Types of Analytical Reasoning 

Let us see the various types of analytical reasoning questions one by one below: 

1. Statement & Argument

• These questions involve a statement or series of statements presenting a point of view with different opinions for or against something.
• Argumentation is crucial in analytical reasoning, as it connects with various question types like inferences, assumptions, courses of action, syllogisms, etc.

2. Statement & Assumption

• In these questions, an assumption is something taken for granted.
• Candidates are given statements followed by assumptions and must select the correct assumption based on the statements.

3. Statement & Conclusion

• These questions present a passage or statements followed by conclusions.
• Candidates need to decide based on the statements and choose the correct conclusion that can be inferred.

4. Statement & Course of Action

• These questions provide a situation in a statement and some probable actions.
• Candidates must determine which actions should be followed, considering if they solve or reduce the problem practically.

5. Cause & Effect

• These questions present two statements, and candidates must decide if the statements are independent causes, effects of independent causes, or share a common cause.
• A cause must be necessary or sufficient for the event to occur.

6. Syllogism

• Syllogism involves deriving conclusions from given statements.
• Candidates must assume the statements are 100% true, even if they seem illogical, to solve the questions.

How to Solve Analytical Reasoning Questions – Tips and Tricks

Candidates can find various tips and analytical reasoning tricks from below for solving the questions that may come up in your govt. exams. 

• Tip # 1: Analytical reasoning section is one of the tricky sections, so candidates need to read the question carefully before choosing the answer to the given question. 
• Tip # 2: For solving the logical and analytical reasoning questions, candidates need to study the given statement well and think about the mathematical options to get the final result. 

Analytical Reasoning Sample Questions

Q1: Based on Cause & Effect
Statements:  (a) A study has shown that whatever form of entertainment a person is exposed to in his/her formative years stays on with him/her for the rest of his/her life.
(b) The young generation is always reminded by the old generation that the current level of entertainment is inferior to the old times.
Sol: Here the statement
(a) states the mentality behind the liking for a certain form of entertainment over a long period of time, whereas the statement (b) gives an example of it. Hence, this exhibits a cause and effect relationship between the two statements where the statement (a) is the cause and the statement (b) is the effect. 

Q2: Statement: According to the news, few terrorists are hiding inside an old building in Delhi.
Courses of action:
I: Government should send Special Forces to Delhi.
II: Government should offer them to shift to the outskirts of Delhi.
Sol: After knowing the fact that the terrorists are hiding at a certain place, the Government should send special forces immediately.
Knowing that approaching that area will be dangerous, the police should be backed up with special forces as well.
Therefore, the first course of action definitely will be a good measure taken in accordance with the given statement.
On the other hand, the second course of action is vague and totally unrealistic. It is practically not possible to achieve such an action.
Therefore, offering them to shift somewhere is completely out of question. Hence, II does not follow.