Conditional Reasoning Question Forum

[thouse]

I have a question about a Logical Reasoning Question. I am getting confused on how to diagram it to get the answer they came up with.

Some critics of public funding for this research project have maintained that only if it can be indicated how the public will benefit from the project is continued public funding for it justified. If critics are right about this then, there would not be the tremendous public support for the project that even it critics acknowledge.

I diagramed. ~public funding justified>how public will benefit from project
~how public will benefit from project>public funding justified

how public will benefit from project>~tremendos public support
tremendous public support>~how public will benefit from project

The answer is Continued public funding for the research project is justified.

How did they come to this answer???

[3|ink]

What's the question stem?

I kind of remember this one but I want to make sure I know the stem before answering.

[3|ink]

Anyway, I believe the correct diagram is:

PJ -> CBIHPWB Project justified only if it can be indicated how the public will benefit.

If 'PJ -> CBIHPWB' (above principle) is true -> there would not be tremendous public support

However:

There is tremendous public support 'that even its critics acknowledge' -> 'PJ>CBIHPWB is not true'
Notice that above is the contrapositive the other premise.

Therefore, indication of the public benefit is not a necessary condition for the project's being justified.

I think this is an inference question, right?

[3|ink]

I should add that the answer is not 'Continued public funding for the research project is justified.' IT should be 'E', That a public benefit can be indicated is not a requirement for the justification of the research project’s continued public funding.

[EarlCat]

Post the PrepTest number so we can look up the actual language used in the question.

[thouse]

If the Scientist's claims are true, which one of the following must also be true?

[thouse]

Prep test 30 Section 2 number 20

[thouse]

You' re right it is E maybe that is why I am confused

[thouse]

I thought when you use "Only" or "only if" that you have to negate the sufficient, in this case being ~PJ??

[3|ink]

I thought when you use "Only" or "only if" that you have to negate the sufficient, in this case being ~PJ??

No.

Negate the sufficient for 'unless' or 'except'.