An inference is a conclusion drawn from ...

• A. Data and observations
• B. Opinions of others
• C. Evidence and reasoning
• D. Raw measurements

Answer: (C)

An inference is the conclusion you reach by interpreting what you observe and measure. It isn’t just listing data or raw facts; it relies on evidence and the reasoning you use to connect that evidence to a claim. When you see data and observations and then explain what they imply, you’re making an inference.

Data and observations are the information you start with, and raw measurements are a type of data. They’re inputs, not the conclusion themselves. Opinions of others are not necessarily grounded in the observed evidence or the logical steps used to reach a claim. The essential part of an inference is using evidence and reasoning to arrive at a conclusion.