Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Flashcards

A clock shows 3:15. What is the angle between the hour and minute hands?

Answer: 7.5°

At 3:15 the minute hand is at 90° and the hour hand has moved 7.5° past the 90° mark (15 min × 0.5°/min), giving a difference of 7.5°.

An argument states: 'This painkiller must be safe — millions of people use it.' Which fallacy does this represent?

Answer: Appeal to popularity

Appeal to popularity (ad populum) falsely assumes that widespread use or belief makes something true or safe.

If you must choose between two projects: Project A has a 70% chance of earning $1,000 and Project B has a 40% chance of earning $2,000, which has the higher expected value?

Answer: Project B ($800)

Expected value of A = 0.7 × $1,000 = $700; expected value of B = 0.4 × $2,000 = $800, so Project B is higher.

Which problem-solving strategy involves working backward from the desired end result to determine the required steps?

Answer: Backward chaining

Backward chaining starts with the goal and traces necessary preceding conditions back to the starting state.

A store marks up items 50% above cost, then offers a 25% discount on the marked-up price. What is the net effect on the original cost?

Answer: 12.5% profit

A $100 item becomes $150 after 50% markup; a 25% discount gives $112.50, which is 12.5% above the original cost.

Which of the following is an example of deductive reasoning?

Answer: All birds have feathers; penguins are birds; therefore, penguins have feathers.

Deductive reasoning draws a specific conclusion that must be true if the general premises are true, as in the classic syllogism.

A manager notices errors spike every Friday afternoon. Before concluding workers are distracted, what should the manager do first?

Answer: Collect more data to rule out alternative explanations

Sound critical thinking requires ruling out alternative causes (e.g., Friday task types, different supervisors) before accepting one explanation.