Syllogism – Some/No relations across three classes Premises: 1) Some bags are pockets. 2) No pocket is a pouch. Evaluate the conclusions.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Only II and III follow

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This set-logic item mixes a particular statement (“some”) with a universal negative (“no”). We must determine which conclusions necessarily follow without overreaching. The key is to track at least one concrete overlap and propagate the universal exclusion appropriately.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Bags (B), pockets (P), pouches (H).
  • Premise 1: Some B are P (there is at least one element in B ∩ P).
  • Premise 2: No P is H (P ∩ H = ∅).


Concept / Approach:
From the element(s) in B ∩ P and the universal exclusion P ∩ H = ∅, we can infer that those particular bags (that are pockets) are not pouches. This yields “Some bags are not pouches.” Additionally, “Some pockets are bags” is simply the symmetric reading of “Some bags are pockets.” However, we cannot leap to “No bag is a pouch” because other bags (outside the P subset) might still be pouches.


Step-by-Step Solution:

From Premise 1, pick x such that x ∈ B and x ∈ P.From Premise 2, x ∉ H (since x ∈ P and no P is H).Thus there exists at least one bag that is not a pouch: “Some bags are not pouches” (Conclusion II) follows.“Some pockets are bags” (Conclusion III) also follows by the symmetric interpretation of “some.”“No bag is a pouch” (Conclusion I) and “No pocket is a bag” (Conclusion IV) are both too strong/contradict Premise 1.


Verification / Alternative check:

Venn diagram shows a non-empty B ∩ P region, disjoint from H; therefore II and III are necessary, whereas I and IV fail.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A: Ignores the necessary II and III.B: Includes I which overgeneralizes.D: Suggests a forced choice between I and IV; neither is warranted.E: Claims all, but I and IV are false.


Common Pitfalls:

Assuming that a universal negative transfers to a superset (“no bag is a pouch”), which is logic overreach.


Final Answer:
Only II and III follow

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