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3-Statements
Question Statement
A. All cats are dogs
B. some pigs are cats
C. no dogs are birdsConclusion
I. some cats are dogs
II. no birds are cats
III. some pigs are birds
IV. some pigs are not birds
Question Statement:
I. All cats are dogs
II. All dogs are birdsConclusion:
I. Some cats are birds
II. Some birds are cats.
2 Statement Syllogism questions are usually found in IBPS (Bank) and SSC exams.
UPSC CSAT 2012 exam had quite a few questions on 3 Statement Syllogism.
In CAT exams, they ask 2 Statement Syllogism but they pack 3-4 such 2-statement
syllogism questions inside one question to make it very time-consuming process.
In this article, you will learn how to solve the 2 Statement syllogism questions.
1. Venn Diagram
AEIO (analytical
Method)
Distribution of terms
material.
(Tick method)
The technique explained in this article, is a modified version of AEIO method combined with the
Tick Method. Lets call it U.P.-U.N. method.
Basics
Subject vs Predicate
Consider this question statement
1. All cats are dogs
2. Some dogs are birds
3. No bird is a pig
4. Some pigs are not birds.
In all such statements, first-term is called subject and second is called predicate.
It doesnt matter what word is given: Table, Chair, Raja, Kalmadi, Kanimozhi or Madhu Koda
first term is subject and second term is predicate.
Lets relook at those question statements
Subject
Predicate
Cats
Dogs
Dogs
Birds
3. No bird is a pig
Bird
Pig
Pigs
Birds
I hope the Subject vs. Predicate is clear now. Lets move to second thing
Classification of statement
Xyz
Subject
Is/are (+/-not)
Predicate
All
Cats
Are
Dogs
Some
Pigs
Are not
birds
Type
Codename
Universal Positive
UP
Particular Positive
PP
3. No bird is a pig
Universal Negative
UN
Particular Negative
PN
Please remember following words. Whenever they come, you classify the statement accordingly.
All, every, any, none, not a single, only etc.
Universal (positive
or negative)
Some, many, a few, quite a few, not many, very little, most of, Particular (positive
almost, generally, often, freqently, etc.
or negative)
Standard format: conversion
Answer
Dogs
dogs, birds, pigs)
2. Some birds are A>B
pigs
C>D
But if the given question statements are not given in this format, then we must convert them into
above format. Otherwise we cannot proceed with answer. For example
Given question statements are
1. A>B
2. C>B
Valid conversions
Type
Valid conversions
Type
Valid conversions
Type
Particular Negative
Example: Some Cats are not Dogs. In Particular negative statements (PN), no conversion can be
made.
So PN=cant convert.
To sum up the conversion rules
Type
Valid Conversion
Only PP
PN or UN
Only PP
Not possible.
Please note:
In some lower level exams, sometimes they directly ask about conversion. For example
Q. What can be concluded from the given statement: Some Politicians are honest men.
Answer choices
1. Some Honest men are not Politicians.
2. All Honest men are not politician
3. Some Honest men are politicians.
4. None of Above.
Solution
well, the given statement Some Politicians are honest men. is a particular positive statement
(PP).
Hence according to our table, it can be converted into PP only. Therefore
Given answer choice
Thought process
1 None of Above.
Politicians.
Case #1
Data
1. Sardar Patel
Subject (Politicians)
4. Kalmadi
1. Sardar Patel
Case #2
Data
1. Sardar Patel
Subject (Politicians)
4. Kalmadi
1. Sardar Patel
Predicate (Honest Men)
4. ChandraSekhar Azad
In above situation, can you say Some honest men are not politicians?
Yes you can. Because two Honest men (Bhagat Singh and Azad) are not in
politician set.
The point is, whenever two cases are possible, you cannot safely conclude
one statement.
Therefore Particular Positive (PP) statement can be converted into Particular Positive (PP)
statement only.
Similarly
Type
Valid Conversion
Only PP
PN or UN
Only PP
Not possible.
Conversion?
Now coming to the heart of the matter: how to solve the (stupid) 2 statement syllogism question?
No conclusion Combos
Here are the non-conclusion combos when two question statements are in following format.
First statement (A to B)
Second statement (B to C)
Answer
No conclusion
No conclusion
No conclusion
No conclusion
No conclusion
No conclusion
No conclusion
Please note: in ^above situations definite conclusion is impossible. However, sometimes two
answer choices are still possible either a or b.
That concept is called Complimentary pairs. Well learn about it at the bottom of this article.
For the moment, lets not complicate the matters with complimentary pairs.
Ok back to topic, when you face a Two-statement syllogism question? youll follow these
steps:
1. first, make sure it contains only three terms (ABC) (else no conclusion.)
2. Make sure question statements are in standard format (A to B then B to C). If
not in standard format, then re-arrange.
3. Classify the question statements. (UP, UN, PP, PN)
4. Check if the question statements have no conclusion combos (^Above rules)
if above things donot yield an answer, then weve to think about what will be the
conclusion(s)?
Conclusive-Combos
If youve followed above steps, then question statements in the format A to B and then B to C.
First statement (A to B) Second statement (B to C) Conclusion
Universal Positive (UP)
1. UP+UP=UP
1 UP+UN=UN
1 UN+
(UP/PP)=PN
1 PP+
Question Statements
Conclusion
1. All Men are crazy
2. All the crazy are men
3. Some of the crazy are men
4. Some of the crazy are women
Answer
a. None of the conclusion follows
b. All conclusions follow
c. Only 1, 3 and 4 follow
d. Only 2 and 3 follow
(I suggest you pause here. First try to solve it on your own, without directly reading the solution.
If youve difficulty, re-read rules given above)
Solution
Our standard operating procedure (SOP)
Question Statements
1. All men are women.
2. All women are crazy.
First step: make sure four terms are not given = check. Only three terms (men, women, crazy)
Second step, make sure theyre in standard format (A to B and then B to C): Check yes theyre.
Hence conversion is not required.
Well, since it is UP+UP= its size doesnt increase. Hence conclusion should be
UP. (A to C) meaning All men(A) are crazy.(C)
Correct.
1 Some of the
crazy
are men
1 Some of the
crazy are
women
Conclusion
1. all singers are poets
2. some intelligent persons are not singers
Answer choices
a. only conclusion one follows
b. only conclusion two follows
c. either conclusion one or conclusion two follows
d. neither follows
solution
first step: does the question statements have only three terms? Check: Yes. Singers, poets,
intelligent. Good, proceed with next step.
Second step: Are the question statements given in standard format (A to B then B to C)?
Check. Nope
1. All poets (A) are intelligent (B)
2. All singers (C) are intelligent. (B)
Then we have to convert it into standard format. And since both statements are universal
positive, we dont need to worry about which statement to convert first? (that priority order,
more about it, explained at the bottom of this article.)
Second statement is universal positive (UP), according to our table, we can only convert it into
particular positive (PP) therefore
All singers (C) are intelligent. (B)==> Some intelligent persons(B) are singers.(C)
Now the new question statements, in the standard format (A to B then B to C) are
1. All poets are intelligent (B)
2. Some intelligent persons(B) are singers.
Third step, classify the question statements
question statement
type
ii. some
intelligent
persons are not
singers
Same UP-UN Concept but they pack 3-4 or more syllogism questions into one question to test
your speed, not just your understanding. for example:
DemoQ: Sweet Testing Apples (CAT)
given question has five statements followed by options containing three statements put together
in a specific order. Choose the option which indicates a valid argument, where the third statement
is a conclusion drawn from the preceding two statements.
Question statements (CAT 1999)
a. Apples are not sweet
b. Some apples are sweet
c. All sweets are tasty
d. Some apples are not tasty
e. No apple is tasty
answer choices
1. cea
2. bdc
3. cbd
4. eac
Universal positive
No apple is tasty.
Universal negative
Universal negative
In the actual CAT exam, we cannot afford to waste time in actually converting all statements and
checking them.
Here is the fast approach
1. three terms?= yes
2. in standard format? No. but we can convert second (UN) into another UN and then combo rule
is UP+UN=UN.
Hence this answer choice (CEA) is correct.
Final answer (i) CEA
DemoQ: Working mother nurses (CAT)
question statement
answer choices
a. No mother is a nurse.
b. Some Nurses like to work
1. ABE
c. No woman is prude
2. CED
3. FEB
4. BEF
i. ABE
A (Statement I)
B (Statement II)
E (Conclusion)
This is invalid. Because Statement I and II have three terms (Mother, Nurse and work) while
given conclusion statement adds fourth new term women
Move to next choice.
ii. CED
Statement
Type
C (Statement I)
No woman is prude
Universal negative
E (Statement II)
Particular positive
D (conclusion)
Particular positive
Universal negative
Particular positive
type
2. No woman(B) is prude(C)
When Mr.PP observes the universe via NASA telescope, his mood becomes
particularly negative or positive depending on the mood of universe. Hence
PP+UN=PN.(A to C)
But Check the given conclusion statement: Some prude are also nurses. It
is Particular positive (PP).
Actual thought process: three terms =yes. Standard form=no. rearrange. But PP+UN=PN, cant
be converted to PP. Hence false.
iii.FEB
Statement
Type
F (Statement I)
Universal positive UP
E (Statement II)
Particular positive PP
B (conclusion)
Particular positive PP
three terms =yes. Standard form=no. but no need to convert, just exchange position of statement
I and II.
Some nurses(A) are women(B) Particular positive PP
All women(B) like to work (C)
Universal positive UP
segment of the statement can be logically be used using the both preceding two but not just from
one of them
Question statements
a. all dinosaurs are prehistoric creatures. Water buffaloes are not dinosaurs.
Water buffaloes are not prehistoric creatures
b. all politicians are frank. No frank people are crocodiles. No crocodiles are
politicians
c. no diamond is quartz. No opal is quartz. Diamonds are opals.
d. All monkeys like bananas. Some Joes like bananas. Some Joes are monkeys.
Answer choice
i.
Only C
ii.
Only B
iii.
Only A and D
iv.
Only B and C
Approach
Three terms yes. Standard format =No.Both question statements are
Universal negative. We can convert either of them, into UN or PN.
C. Diamonds,
But in any case, both question statements will remain negative. And
Quartz, Opals.
Two negatives=no conclusion. So C is not possible. Hence answer
choice (i) and (iv) eliminated.
Already in three terms standard format.UP+UN=size enlarged and
B. Frank
becomes UN.
politicians and
So conclusion should be No crocodile is politician so this statement
crocodiles
is correct. Hence answer choice (ii).
Recall that when question statements are not in standard format (A to B then B to C), in that case
weve to convert them according to conversion table. Here are some special cases.
Typ
e
UP
No non-politician is honest.
UN
politicians.
PP
Second concept:
Complimentary pairs
For example
Question
statement
Conclusion
Answer choice
a. Only 1 follows
b. Only 2 follows
c. Either 1 or 2 follows
d. Neither follows
Particular positive.
Particular positive.
Case#2
Politicians
Males
Sardar Patel
Raja
Kalmadi
1 Sheila
honest
1. Sardar Patel
1. Sardar Patel
3. Raja
3. Bhagat Singh
4. Kalmadi
4. ChandraSekhar Azad
5. Bhagat Singh
5. Sarojini Naidu
6. ChandraSekhar Azad
6. Mother Teresa
Case#2
Politicians
Males
honest
1. Raja
1. Raja
1. Bhagat Singh
2. Kalmadi
2. Kalmadi
2. ChandraSekhar Azad
3. Sheila
3. Bhagat Singh
3. Sarojini Naidu
4. ChandraSekhar Azad
4. Mother Teresa
Not applicable
example
When these two conditions are met, then answer would be Either (I) or (II) follows.
Priority order
You know that when Question statements are not in standard format (A to B Then B to C), we
must convert them. But here is a thing to keep in mind. Consider these statements
Question statements:
1. All Dogs are Cats.
2. Some Dogs are Pigs.
Common term or middle term is Dogs. So thats our B.
1. All Dogs(B) are Cats.
2. Some Dogs(B) are Pigs.
We can convert it via two routes
Route #1
Route #2
Conclusion
As you can see, the question statements are not in standard format (A to B then B to C).
So, which question statement to convert?
First the wrong approach.
Since question statements are not in standard format (A to B then B to C), hence
W well convert first statement. (UP to PP)
R After conversion
O
G Both question statements are particular, hence final answer=No conclusion. (please note: this
approach is wrong, because weve not followed the priority order).
Now the correct approach
C The priority order for Statement conversion is PP>UN>UP.
O Meaning, if there are two question statements, and weve to convert one of them to make it a
standard format=> then well convert Particular positive statement first.
R
So in the given case
R
1. All women(B) are birds
E
C
T
Now theyre in standard format, apply combo rule: PP+UP=PP (Nasa telescope rule!)
Hence conclusion is
Some trees are birds. (PP)
We can also say that Some birds are trees. (PP to PP conversion). Therefore answer is (1)
Moral of the story: Conversion priority: PP>UN>UP. Especially when youre getting PP+PP= no
conclusion after conversion.
Tricky Situations: 1-Statement Conclusion
Question statements
Conclusion
Thought process
1 Some leaves
are flowers
All flowers are leaves=> Some leaves are flowers. Hence this
conclusion is correct, although it did not employ both question
statements.
Valid Conversion
Only PP
PN or UN
Only PP
Cant do.
No conclusion
1. UPs politicians hate giving
particular statements (both
positive and negative). E.g. they
donot reveal their clear position
on FDI in retail until the 11th
hour. (UP+PP/PN=NO)
2. United Nations hates negativity.
(both Universal and particular)
(UN+UN/PN=NO)
3. Pritish Nandy hates everybody.
(first statement is PN=NO,
Irrespective of second
Yes conclusion
1. If Uttar Pradesh meets Uttar Pradesh,
then its size doesnt increase.
(UP+UP=UP)
2. If Uttar Pradesh meets United
Nations then size increases and it
becomes United Nations.
(UP+UN=UN)
3. United Nations Secretary Ban Ki
Moon is in very positive mood. But he
meets another positive person, and
his attitude is totally reversed- he
becomes particularly negative!
statement.)
4. Two-negatives=no conclusion.
5. (rarely required): if no-conclusion and either or given in answer, then check for
Complimentary case.
This concludes the discussion on 2 statement Syllogism question.
In later article, well see the 3-statement syllogism. It is basically extention of the same UP-UN
method that we learned here. However, to quickly solve 3-statements, first you must become a
master of 2-statement.