[Campbell Biology P.66] The text describes inductive reasoning as deriving generalizations ... | Practice Question

The text describes inductive reasoning as deriving generalizations from a large number of specific observations. Which of the following examples provided in the text illustrate conclusions reached through inductive reasoning? Select all that apply.

  • A: "If a desk lamp is plugged in and turned on but not lit, then the bulb is burnt out or not screwed in properly."
  • B: "All organisms are made of cells."
  • C: "The sun always rises in the east."
  • D: "Biologists use microscopes to observe cell structures."

Explanation

The text explicitly lists "The sun always rises in the east" and "All organisms are made of cells" as examples of generalizations derived through inductive reasoning.