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Define a fact, observation, and inference and give an example of each. (Be able to identify all 3 from an example.)

Fact:
Ex:

Observation:
Example:

Inference:
Example:

(Original and like a 9th grader wrote it)

1 answer

Fact: A fact is something that can be proven true or false based on evidence. It is a statement that is verifiable and objective.

Example: The Earth revolves around the Sun. (This can be proven with scientific evidence.)

Observation: An observation is something you notice or perceive using your senses. It doesn’t involve any conclusions or interpretations—just what you see, hear, smell, taste, or touch.

Example: The grass is wet in the morning. (You can see the wet grass without making any conclusions about why it's wet.)

Inference: An inference is a conclusion or interpretation that you come to based on observations and existing knowledge. It involves thinking critically about what the observations might mean.

Example: The grass is wet in the morning, so it probably rained last night. (This is a conclusion that you make based on your observation of the wet grass and what you know about rain.)

Identifying the Three:

  1. Fact: "The Earth revolves around the Sun."
  2. Observation: "The grass is wet in the morning."
  3. Inference: "The grass is wet in the morning, so it probably rained last night."