Irish Defence Forces Cadetship Aptitude Assessment flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

All-A-are-B chain

If all A are B and all B are C, then all A are C is a valid conclusion; inferring that all C are A is invalid.

Contrapositive rule

From 'all A are B' you may always infer 'all non-B are non-A'. This is logically equivalent, but the converse 'all B are A' is not valid.

Some in formal logic

In logic 'some' means at least one and possibly every one. It does not assert that any are excluded, so it cannot support a 'some are not' conclusion.

Analogy relation types

Common links are synonym, antonym, part-to-whole, member-to-category, cause-to-effect, worker-to-tool and degree of intensity. Name the link before choosing an option.

Odd one out method

Find the property shared by all but one option, then test each candidate as the exception against that majority rule instead of judging by feel.

Alphabet position arithmetic

A is 1 and Z is 26; letters mirrored about the middle sum to 27, as in A+Z or B+Y. Typical series steps are plus or minus one, two, or alternation.

Percentage change formula

Change equals new minus old, divided by old, times one hundred. An increase of p percent multiplies the value by one plus p over one hundred.

Combined work rate

If one worker takes a hours and another takes b hours, working together they finish in ab divided by a plus b hours, because their rates add.

Average and sum link

Average equals sum divided by count, so sum equals average times count. Adding a value above the average raises the mean; below it lowers the mean.

Ratio share calculation

In a ratio a to b there are a plus b parts in total. Each share is its own part divided by the total parts, multiplied by the whole amount.

Speed unit conversion

Speed equals distance divided by time. To change metres per second into kilometres per hour multiply by 3.6; divide by 3.6 to reverse it.

Simple versus compound interest

Simple interest is principal times rate times time divided by one hundred. Compound interest uses principal times one plus the decimal rate, raised to the number of periods.

Shape attribute checklist

Compare shape type, number of sides, size, shading, rotation angle and position. In most series one attribute changes per step while the rest stay constant.

Alternating series rule

When consecutive changes look irregular, split the figures into odd-positioned and even-positioned terms and search for a separate rule in each group.

Overlay XOR rule

Superimposing two figures with the XOR rule keeps lines that appear in exactly one figure and deletes lines common to both; simple addition keeps every line.

Rotation versus reflection

A reflected figure cannot be produced by rotating it in the plane. Check whether the handedness of an asymmetric feature has reversed between figures.

Matrix reading directions

In a three-by-three matrix the rule must hold across each row and down each column. Verify your chosen option in both directions before committing.

Counting enclosed regions

The number of separate enclosed areas, line intersections or axes of symmetry is often the hidden variable, so count each one explicitly for every option.

Cube opposite faces in net

Faces separated by exactly one face in a straight line of the net become opposite faces on the finished cube and can never share an edge.

Painted cube edge count

In a cube of side n built from unit cubes, exactly two painted faces occur on 12 times n minus 2 cubes; unpainted cubes number n minus 2 cubed.

Mirror image orientation

A vertical mirror swaps left and right while keeping top and bottom unchanged. A water image swaps top and bottom while keeping left and right unchanged.

Unfolding punched paper

Unfold in the reverse order of folding and reflect the holes across each fold line. The hole count doubles per fold unless holes overlap.

Orthographic view content

The front elevation shows width and height, the plan or top view shows width and depth, and the side view shows depth and height.

Lever moment balance

A lever balances when force multiplied by perpendicular distance is equal on both sides, so a small force far from the pivot lifts a large load near it.

Mechanical advantage formula

Mechanical advantage equals load divided by effort; for a lever it also equals effort arm divided by load arm. Values above one mean force is multiplied.

Pulley mechanical advantage

A single fixed pulley only changes the direction of effort and has advantage one. A movable pulley held by n rope sections has advantage n.

Gear ratio and direction

Gear ratio is teeth on the driven gear divided by teeth on the driver. Meshing gears turn in opposite directions; gears on one shaft turn together.

Hydraulic press principle

Pascal's law gives force one over area one equals force two over area two. A small force on a small piston produces a proportionally larger force on a large piston.

Forced-choice personality format

You choose between statements that are both desirable, so there is no best answer. Pick what you would genuinely do rather than what sounds impressive.

Consistency scales

Questionnaires repeat similar items in different wording. Contradictory answers trigger a low-consistency flag, so answer from one stable view of yourself throughout.

Social desirability scale

Overly perfect answering is detected by items almost nobody endorses. Admitting ordinary faults occasionally keeps your profile credible without lowering your result.

Likert scale midpoint

The middle response means neutral or undecided. Frequent use of it gives no information about you, so reserve it for items you genuinely feel indifferent about.