Concept 2 of 5
Multi-Statement True or False
Today's big idea
Check every statement on its own, since the trap is always the almost-right one.
Stopping at the first statement that looks right is how a near miss wins.
How it works
👀 What's going on?
Three or four statements are offered and only one of them is true. The wrong ones are not silly; they are near enough to be believed if you stop reading early.
💡 Here's the trick
Look at the statements above. Each has to be tested on its own, all the way through, because the false ones are built to be nearly right. Finding one that looks true is not the same as checking the others, and the trap is usually the statement you skipped.
🪄 How to do it
- 1.Take the list above and decide true or false for its first statement.
- 2.Do the same for every other statement, without comparing them.
- 3.Only then pick the one the question asks for.
✍️ Try it
Which is true: a triangle has 4 sides, a square has 4 corners, or a circle has 3 sides? Then, which is false: 6 times 4 is 24, 15 take away 7 is 9, or 20 divided by 4 is 5?
Only a square has 4 corners survives the first set. In the second, 6 times 4 really is 24 and 20 divided by 4 really is 5. So the false one is 15 take away 7 is 9, since it is 8.
⚠️ Watch out
You might be thinking you can stop at the first statement that looks right. A near-miss often comes before the real answer. Checking all of them costs a few seconds and is the only way to know which one you have.
🌟 Why this matters
Deciding whether a claim is actually true, rather than merely plausible, is worth doing everywhere. Testing one thing at a time is how it is done, whether the claim is on a page or in a conversation.
Exam tip: Mark each statement T or F in the margin, so a skipped one cannot hide.
Watch me solve one
Quanta solves it
“Watch how I think through one of these — then you try.”
THE PROBLEM
“Which statement is FALSE? (a) 6 × 7 = 42 (b) 8 + 5 = 13 (c) 9 − 4 = 6”
- 1
Check each one
6 × 7 = 42 ✓. 8 + 5 = 13 ✓. 9 − 4 = 5, not 6. ⚖️
- 2
Spot the odd one
Only 9 − 4 = 6 is wrong.
- 3
Answer ✓
False statement = 9 − 4 = 6
Now you try one — same steps, different story 👇
See it in action
⚡ Time to play!
Check each statement on its own before you pick.
TRUE? · ROUND 1 OF 3
Which is TRUE?
Pick the true statement.
Quick check
✅ VERIFICATION
Four statements are given and only one is true. How many must you check?
⚡ Finish the activity above first to answer.
Keep going!
Up next: Two-Part Data Questions
Subtract for 'more', add for 'total'.