Syllogism — Books, calculators, and mobiles (reading “some” correctly): Statements: (a) Some books are mobiles. (b) Some calculators are mobiles. Conclusions to test: I. Some mobiles are calculators. II. Some mobiles are books.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Both conclusions I and II follow

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This is a straightforward test of interpreting “some” statements. Each premise explicitly asserts a non-empty overlap with the class “mobiles.”


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • ∃ (Book ∩ Mobile).
  • ∃ (Calculator ∩ Mobile).


Concept / Approach:
From the premises themselves we can restate the conclusions: “Some mobiles are books” is equivalent to “Some books are mobiles,” and “Some mobiles are calculators” is equivalent to “Some calculators are mobiles.” Both must be true.


Step-by-Step:
1) Use premise (a) to assert existence of at least one entity that is both Book and Mobile → conclusion II.2) Use premise (b) to assert existence of at least one entity that is both Calculator and Mobile → conclusion I.


Verification:
A Venn diagram with Mobile as the central set and two overlapping “pockets” for Books and Calculators satisfies both conclusions immediately.


Common Pitfalls:
Overthinking “some” as implying additional relations between Books and Calculators; none are needed for these conclusions.


Final Answer:
Both conclusions I and II follow.

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