BACKWARD REASONING

'Backward reasoning' (or 'goal-oriented inference') is an inference method used in artificial intelligence. Given an implication "if A then B", it reasons "backwards" from the goal of establishing B to the sub-goal of establishing A. In contrast, given both A and the same implication, forward reasoning, also called modus ponens, derives the conclusion B. Backward reasoning is implemented in logic programning by SLD resolution.

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Example

Example

Given the implication "If You have a fever or a sneezing fit or a chill, then you have a cold", backward reasoning uses the implication to show that you have a cold by attempting to show that you have a fever or a sneezing fit or a chill.