Question

Which of the following is an example of deductive reasoning?

A. In my community, it's a law that all dogs out on walks must be on leashes, so most dogs I see on walks today will be on leashes.
B. I saw a dog tied to a leash in its yard this morning, so all the dogs I see today will be tied to leashes in their yards.
C. It's not the law to have your dog on a leash, but that is what I prefer, so all dogs I see today will be on leashes.
D. My neighbor takes her dog for a walk every day, so all dog owners in my community take their dogs on walks every day.

Answer 1

I believe the correct answer would be A. Deductive reasoning is using information you already know to draw a conclusion. 

Answer 2

The example of deductive reasoning is A. In my community, it's a law that all dogs out on walks must be on leashes, so most dogs I see on walks today will be on leashes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Deductive reasoning goes from a broad premise to a more specific/limited conclusion. That means we first have information that reaches everyone or a large group of people/things and, from that information, we can reach a logical conclusion about one or more individuals.

Letter A is the only option that presents deductive reasoning. Our broad premise is the existence of a law that all dogs on walks must be on leashes. If that premise is true, it is only logical to conclude that, when there is a law, most people will obey it. If most people obey it, then most of the dogs I see on walks today will be on leashes.