Solving Problems with Matrix Logic

Deductive reasoning is a process used to derive the specific from the general. Matrix logic puzzles use a grid (matrix) to solve problems using deductive reasoning. The following is an example of a typical problem in deductive reasoning and how to solve that problem using a matrix system:

Together, Jacob, Marcy, and Frank like the colors blue, red, and green. No two people like the same color. Using the clues below, determine which person likes which color.

1. Marcy does not like green.
2. Jacob likes red.
3. Frank does not like blue.

1.	To solve this problem, we first create a matrix listing the names of the children down the left-hand side of the grid and the names of the colors written across the top.

2.	Because the problem states that Marcy does not like green, click the box where the "Marcy" row meets the "green" column one time to place a red "X". (No)

3.	Because the problem states that Jacob likes red, click the box where the "Jacob" row meets the "red" column two times to place a green "O". (Yes)

4.	Because you know that Jacob likes only one color, you may click in the boxes where the "Jacob" row meets the both the "blue" and "green" columns one thime to place a red "X". (No)