Coded Syllogism
Coded Syllogism presents statements using symbols (like @, #, $, %) instead of words like 'All', 'Some', 'No', 'Some not'. You must decode the symbols first, then apply standard syllogism rules to evaluate conclusions. These problems test your ability to work with coded information.
What You'll Learn
Introduction to Coded Syllogism
Coded Syllogism presents statements using symbols (like @, #, $, %) instead of words like 'All', 'Some', 'No', 'Some not'. You must decode the symbols first, then apply standard syllogism rules to evaluate conclusions. These problems test your ability to work with coded information.
Prerequisites
How to Solve Coded Syllogism Problems
Step 1: Read the code key carefully to understand what each symbol means
Step 2: Replace each symbol in the statements with the corresponding word (All, Some, No, Some not)
Step 3: Rewrite the decoded statements in standard categorical form
Step 4: Apply standard syllogism rules to evaluate the conclusions
Step 5: Draw Venn diagrams if needed for verification
Step 6: Determine which conclusions follow
Step 7: Select the correct answer
Example Problem
Example: Code Key: @ = All, # = Some, $ = No, & = are. Code: A = cats, B = dogs, C = pets. Coded statements: @ A & B; # B & C. Conclusions: I. Some cats are pets. II. All pets being cats is a possibility. Solution: Step 1: @ = All, # = Some, & = are Step 2: Statement 1: @ A & B → All cats are dogs Step 3: Statement 2: # B & C → Some dogs are pets Step 4: Apply syllogism: All A are B + Some B are C = No definite conclusion Step 5: Conclusion I: Some cats are pets - NOT definite Step 6: Conclusion II: All pets being cats is a possibility - No definite negative exists, so possible Step 7: Only conclusion II follows Answer: Only conclusion II follows
Pro Tips & Tricks
- Common symbols: @ = All, # = Some, $ = No, % = Some not, & = are
- Write the decoding key at the top of your workspace
- Replace symbols systematically before solving
- Be careful with 'Some not' - it's often coded differently
- The coding scheme may vary between exams
- Treat coded letters as category names (A, B, C, etc.)
Shortcut Methods to Solve Faster
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Practice Worksheets
Practice makes perfect! Work through these worksheets to master Coded Syllogism. Each worksheet contains 20 questions with detailed explanations. Start from Worksheet 1 and progress through increasing difficulty levels.
Exam Importance
Coded Syllogism is an important topic for various competitive exams. Here's how frequently it appears:
Ready to Master Coded Syllogism?
Start with Worksheet 1 and work your way up to expert level! Each worksheet includes: