Reasoning By Elimination (Noun)
Meaning
Analysis of a problem into alternative possibilities followed by the systematic rejection of unacceptable alternatives.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The detective used reasoning by elimination to dismiss the alibis of the three suspects and eventually narrowed down the investigation to the most likely perpetrator.
- Reasoning by elimination led the team to conclude that human error was the most probable cause of the equipment malfunction.
- Through a process of reasoning by elimination, the doctors ruled out several possible diagnoses and were left with a single condition that matched the patient's symptoms.
- Forensic scientists employed reasoning by elimination to examine the available evidence and gradually eliminate potential suspects.
- A reasoning by elimination approach allowed the researchers to systematically test alternative hypotheses and ultimately confirm their initial theory.