Identify hypotheses and conclusions

Key Notes:

🔍 Understanding Hypotheses and Conclusions

  • A hypothesis is an assumption or premise that is proposed for the sake of argument.
  • A conclusion is the result or judgment drawn from the hypothesis and reasoning.

🧠 Structure of Logical Statements

Most arguments follow the pattern:

If (hypothesis), then (conclusion).

Example:

If it rains, then the ground will be wet.

  • Hypothesis: It rains
  • Conclusion: The ground will be wet

🧩 How to Identify the Hypothesis

  • Look for the “if” part of the statement.
  • It presents a condition or assumption.

✅ How to Identify the Conclusion

  • Look for the “then” part of the statement.
  • It tells what will happen if the hypothesis is true.

🧪 Real-Life Example

Statement: If you study hard, then you will pass the exam.

  • Hypothesis: You study hard
  • Conclusion: You will pass the exam

🔄 Reverse Form

Sometimes the statement is not in “if-then” form:

Example: “You will pass the exam because you studied hard.”

  • Hypothesis: You studied hard
  • Conclusion: You will pass the exam

🎯 Why It’s Important

  • Helps in understanding arguments, essays, and scientific reasoning.
  • Builds critical thinking and logical analysis skills.

Learn with an example

🗼 What is the conclusion in this conditional statement?

🗼 If a city is in Germany, then it is in Europe.

  • the city is in Europe
  • the city is in Germany
  • Notice that the given conditional statement is in if/then form:
If a city is in Germany, then it is in Europe. 
If A, then B. 
  • The conclusion is part B, which states that the city is in Europe.

🗼 What is the hypothesis in this conditional statement?

🗼 If Adele is riding a bicycle, then she must wear a helmet.

  • Adele must wear a helmet
  • Adele is riding a bicycle
  • Notice that the given conditional statement is in if/then form:
If Adele is riding a bicycle, then she must wear a helmet. 
If A, then B. 
  • The hypothesis is part A, which states that Adele is riding a bicycle.

🗼What is the conclusion in this conditional statement?

🗼If Ed is serving an apple pie, then he is serving a dessert.

  • Ed is serving an apple pie
  • Ed is serving a dessert
  • Notice that the given conditional statement is in if/then form:
If Ed is serving an apple pie, then he is serving a dessert. 
If A, then B. 
  • The conclusion is part B, which states that Ed is serving a dessert.

Let’s practice!🖊️