Syllogism comes under the Verbal Reasoning Section and is a very important topic which is frequently asked in almost all the competitive exams. These types of questions are very simply framed. They contain generally two or more statements. These statements are then followed by a number of conclusions. Based on the statements, you have to find the authenticity of the conclusions. In simple words you have to find that from the given statements which conclusions logically follows them. The most widely used approach in solving these types of questions is the Venn diagram approach. There are various cases like certainity, possibility, reverse syllogs out of which questions are asked in exam. We will discuss each of them below.

CASE OF CERTAINITY

CONCEPT 1 Some A is B. 

The Diagram for Some A is B is

The possible conclusions are,

1) Some A is B

2) Some B is A

 CONCEPT – 2 – Some A is B and Some B is C

The Diagram is,

Now the Possible Conclusions are,

Between A and B                                                             Between B and C

Some A is B                                                                      Some B is C

Some B is A                                                                       Some C is B

There is no DIRECT CONNECTION between A and C. So it is not possible to derive any conclusion between A and C.

CONCEPT 3 – All A is B

The Diagram is,

The Conclusions are,

All A is B.

Some A is B.

Some B is A.

IMPORTANT NOTE : WHEN THE STATEMENTS ARE POSITIVE, THE CONCLUSIONS MUST BE POSITIVE