Answer:
–✦– < < –✦–
Explanation:
**Deductive Reasoning**
In this scenario, deductive reasoning is used. Deductive reasoning involves drawing a specific conclusion based on general premises or information. Here's the breakdown:
1. **Premise:** At the beginning of the season, Joe, Mark, and Sam tie in a race.
2. **Premise:** At the end of the season, Joe beats both Mark and Sam by several seconds.
Given these premises, the conclusion that Joe trained much harder than either Mark or Sam is a deduction based on the specific outcomes observed. It's not a broad generalization but rather a specific inference drawn from the given information.