State whether the following is an example of deductive, inductive, or abductive reasoning:
a. The number of rings inside a tree is the age of a tree. This tree has 10 rings. Conclusion: This tree is
10 years old.
b. People spend 80 percent of their income. Susan will earn $60,000 this year. Conclusion: Susan will spend $48,000.
c. Ten college students are standing in a line to choose either an economics course or an English course. The first student chooses economics. The second student chooses economics and so does the third. Conclusion: All college students prefer economics over English.
d. Ten college students are standing in a line to choose either an economics course or an English course. The first student chooses economics. The second student chooses economics and so does the third. Conclusion: All college students prefer economics over English. The fourth student in line chooses English. The first three students were women; the fourth was a man. Revised conclusion: Male college students prefer English. Female college students prefer economics.