The analysis of students’ solution of a logical puzzle of the Lewis Carroll type identified specific reasoning abilities needed to solve such logical puzzles. Some of these include the ability to: recognize unstated assumptions; comprehend and use language with accuracy and clarity; interpret data correctly; appraise evidence and evaluate arguments; recognize the existence (or non-existence) of logical relationships between propositions; draw warranted conclusions; recognize superfluous information; recognize information implicit in the problem statement. These are some of the reasoning abilities needed to solve such similar puzzles. This list of deductive reasoning skills resembles some of those needed to prove mathematical statements in general. It is for this reason that the research findings could well serve as a basis for research into the important topic of proof in mathematics.

deductive reasoning, action research, logical puzzles of the Lewis Carroll type, logical and critical thinking, teaching strategy for solving logical puzzles.