Inductive reasoning is making general conclusions based on specific observations. Those observations may not represent the whole population, so inductive conclusions are probabilistic. The probability depends on the size of the sample and the diversity of a sample.
Example: All crows I have observed are black, therefore it is almost certain that other crows are black.
Deductive reasoning is making specific conclusions based on general rules. Unlike inductive conclusions, deductive conclusions are certain. A deductive argument's validity and soundness can be evaluated. A deductive argument is valid if its conclusion is true, and if its premises are also true, it is sound.
Example: All living things need energy to live.
A plant is a living thing.
Therefore, a plant needs energy to live.
