Question

Deductive Reasoning:

Determine if the stated conclusion is valid or invalid:
• If the Steelers win Sunday, then they win their division.
• The Steelers did not win their division.
• Therefore, the Steelers did not win Sunday.
a) The conclusion is valid.
b) The conclusion is invalid.
c) The conclusion is partially valid.
d) Not enough information to determine.

Answer 1

The conclusion is valid because it follows the form of a disjunctive syllogism deductive argument.

Step-by-step explanation:

The conclusion is valid.

This is an example of a disjunctive syllogism deductive argument. The argument follows the form: 1. X or Y. 2. Not Y. 3. Therefore X. In this case, X represents the Steelers winning Sunday and Y represents the Steelers winning their division.

Given the premises that if the Steelers win Sunday, then they win their division, and the Steelers did not win their division, it logically follows that the Steelers did not win Sunday. Therefore, the conclusion is valid.