This argument-"Either Mary bought a new car or she bought a used one. She didn't buy a new one. So she bought a new one"-is an example of…
A) Denying the antecedent
B) Disjunctive syllogism
C) Affirming the antecedent
D) Affirming the consequent

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an example of a disjunctive syllogism, which is a logical argument that starts with a statement where two options are presented (either A or B), one option is negated (not A), and therefore concludes the other option must be true (thus, B). In this case, the argument presents two options (Mary bought a new car or a used one), negates one (she didn't buy a new one), and concludes the other must be true (so she bought a used one). The error in the statement is a typo or mistake in the conclusion, but the structure intends to follow a disjunctive syllogism.

This Argument-"Either Mary Bought a New Car or She Bought