Logical Reasoning and Judgment Flashcards

Pattern: triangle, square, pentagon, ... Each shape adds one side. What is next?

Answer: Hexagon

After a five-sided pentagon comes the six-sided hexagon.

Statement: 'Only authorized personnel may enter the evidence room.' A person is in the evidence room. What can you conclude?

Answer: That person is authorized

If only authorized personnel may enter, anyone properly inside must be authorized.

A call reports gunshots at an address, but a follow-up call says it was fireworks. Best judgment?

Answer: Respond and assess the scene to confirm

Responding to verify protects the public when the reports conflict.

Series: 3, 6, 11, 18, 27, ... Differences are 3, 5, 7, 9. What is next?

Answer: 38

The next difference is 11, so 27 plus 11 equals 38.

Argument: 'Most burglaries occur when homes are empty, so leaving lights on may deter burglars.' This reasoning is:

Answer: Reasonable, since lights suggest occupancy

Lights implying occupancy is a sensible deterrent inference, not a guarantee.

If 'all stolen vehicles in this case were sedans' and a recovered SUV is found, what follows about the SUV?

Answer: It is not one of the stolen vehicles in this case

Since all the case's stolen vehicles were sedans, an SUV cannot be among them.

Four officers rank by seniority: Adams over Brooks, Brooks over Cole, Cole over Davis. Who is most senior?

Answer: Adams

Adams outranks Brooks, who outranks the rest, making Adams most senior.