[Allie]

I am stuck on a problem from the 2016 LSAT Trainer lesson 27. The drill is called rules questions and I am stuck on problem 2.

The correct answer is listed in the book as C but I feel like D better corresponds with the rule in question (NOT F –>L). Is the answer C because of how the question is worded – “the order of songs played” so the answer needs to impact what is played? Any explanation you could give would be greatly appreciated – thank you!!

[Mike Kim]

Hi Allie,

Happy to try and help —

The original rule in question, “If F is not played, L will be” gives us three potentially valid consequences:

F out and L in.
L out and F in.
Both F and L in.

And one outcome that can’t work —

Both F and L being out. (Because notice, when we try to put one out, the rule forces the other in.)

–

Answer choice (C), “Either F or L is played,” gives us three potentially valid consequences:

F in and L out
L in and F out
Both F and L in (remember, “either” doesn’t exclude both.)

And one outcome that can’t work —

Both F and L being out.

–

Answer choice (D), “Either F or L is not played,” gives us three potentially valid consequences:

F in and L out
L in and F out
Both F and L out

And one outcome that can’t work —

Both F and L being in.

–

Notice, (C) has the same consequences as the original rule did, but (D) does not. So, (C) is the correct answer.

–

I hope that clears things up — check out lessons 13 and 18 (and 31, which is coming up) if you want some additional practice with conditional rules, and if you have any follow-up q’s just let me know —

Mike

[Allie]

Thank you this is very helpful!

One more questions – could you more thoroughly explain why the answer to Game 2, question 10 in the Mastery Challenge (lesson 29) is D. I can see why all of the other questions are false, but I am not sure why D is correct. If both types of jazz are not on sale then Pn is on sale. However, the rule states that “if both types of pop are on sale, then all soul is” so I am not sure why just Pn being on sale means that both types of soul must be since we don’t know anything about Pu in this example.

If you could help me understand this I would really appreciate it!

Thank you!

Oops – I see that I misread the rules and figured it out! 🙂 Thank you for all your help!

[Mike Kim]

🙂 sure thing – take care — mk