Question

Is the following argument best classified as deductive or inductive?

On a National Geographic map, no two adjacent nations appear shaded with the same color. Brazil is shaded green on this map, and it is a National Geographic map. Only two nations in South America are not adjacent to Brazil. So at most three South American nations on this map are shaded green.
a. Deductive
b. Inductive

Answer 1

The argument is best classified as deductive reasoning. It uses a general principle to predict a specific result based on the information given.

Step-by-step explanation:

The argument is best classified as deductive reasoning. In deductive reasoning, a specific conclusion is derived from general principles or laws. In this case, the argument begins with the general principle that on a National Geographic map, no two adjacent nations appear shaded with the same color.

It then uses this principle to predict that at most three South American nations on this map are shaded green, based on the fact that Brazil (a South American nation) is shaded green and only two nations in South America are not adjacent to Brazil.