Inductive reasoning is best described as:

Inductive reasoning is best described as reasoning from a specific observation to a general conclusion. This type of reasoning involves making broad generalizations based on specific instances or examples. For instance, if you observe that the sun rises in the east every day, you might conclude that the sun always rises in the east. This process highlights how individuals infer general principles from specific examples, making it a crucial method in scientific inquiry and daily decision-making.

In contrast, reasoning based on established laws typically involves deductive reasoning, where one applies general principles to arrive at specific conclusions. Formulating hypotheses based on observations also aligns more closely with scientific methodology, which often starts with specific observations that can lead to a hypothesis but does not fully encapsulate inductive reasoning. Reasoning from the general to a specific case exemplifies deductive reasoning, where a general rule is used to make a specific prediction, clearly distinguishing it from the nature of inductive reasoning. Thus, the definition emphasizes the process of deriving general conclusions from specific observations, which is the essence of inductive reasoning.