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"Or" statements on LG

Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 1:03 am
by dontsaywhatyoumean
Hey, quick question.

On LG questions where they say something that is fifth must be one of the answer choices, and then they list options with "or" between two game pieces, as in "A or G", "B or D", etc, do they mean that BOTH have to be able to be fifth, or only one of them?

It seems like both on the most recent question I did, but is it always the case that it is both when the questioned is phrased as it is above.

Thanks

Re: "Or" statements on LG

Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 10:42 am
by lawschoolgirl312
Its either A or B has to be in spot 5. So if its not B, its A then

Re: "Or" statements on LG

Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 10:48 am
by railyard
Example... A or B has to be in 3rd. So what you do is make two separate diagrams with that rule (along with other rules are given or are inferred):

_ _ A _ _
_ _ B _ _

Re: "Or" statements on LG

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 1:09 am
by dontsaywhatyoumean
Sorry, I'm still confused.

Does there have to be the possibility that both can be in spot 5, or only one of them must be for the answer choice to be the right answer?

For example, if two answer choices are "F or B", and "F or G", then if F cannot be in spot 5, then you can eliminate both answer choices "F or B", and "F or G", if you interpret the question as meaning that both F and B, or F and G must be able to be in spot 5. However, if the question is interpreted as meaning that only one must be able to go in spot 5, then obviously only F, B or G need to be able to go into spot 5.

Thanks

Re: "Or" statements on LG

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 2:20 am
by jlet0314
If I understand your question correctly, assuming the spot you're filling is limited to just one spot and that the question is a must be true, then just create a hypo and throw both variables out and see if you can make the board work without those two items being in that spot while conforming to your other game rules...if it works, not a must be true. repeat this process till you get to the answer chance that you have no choice but to include one of those items in that spot.

Re: "Or" statements on LG

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 10:06 am
by lymenheimer
Why don't you give an example of the question and answer (point to the test+game#+question#). I really want to help, but I don't understand what you're saying and I fear that others may be mixing up what you're saying as well.

Re: "Or" statements on LG

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 4:05 pm
by CPAlawHopefu
dontsaywhatyoumean wrote:Sorry, I'm still confused.

Does there have to be the possibility that both can be in spot 5, or only one of them must be for the answer choice to be the right answer?

For example, if two answer choices are "F or B", and "F or G", then if F cannot be in spot 5, then you can eliminate both answer choices "F or B", and "F or G", if you interpret the question as meaning that both F and B, or F and G must be able to be in spot 5. However, if the question is interpreted as meaning that only one must be able to go in spot 5, then obviously only F, B or G need to be able to go into spot 5.

Thanks
I'm going to assume that the respective question is a Must Be True type. I'm having a hard time understanding what you're asking but hopefully this is what you were looking for.

This is an "Either/Or" condition (Either F or B must go into Spot 5). If Spot 5 only has one spot available, then obviously it means only one of the two, and no other variables, can go into Spot 5. However, if Spot 5 has more than one spot available, then it is implied that both CAN (but do not have to) go into Spot 5 (if you are not allowed to put both in the same spot, then it will be explicitly stated in the rule, as "Either F or B, but not both, can go into Spot 5". If it is not explicitly stated, then on 90% of the cases, assume that putting both variables in the same spot is not against the rule).

Going back to your example, if the problem asked was something along the line of "Which variable must go into Spot 5" and it lists five different pairs of variables, two of which are "F or B" and "F or G", then it is essentially asking for a pair of variables that can be the only possible occupier of Spot 5. So let's say that in your example, there are seven variables (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) in the set, and only F and G can go into Spot 5 (A, B, C, D, E can never occupy Spot 5). The correct answer must reflect this - if Spot 5 is not occupied by F, then it must be occupied by G, vice versa (Note: we are assuming that this is a standard linear game with no In & Out aspect). So "F or G" would be the correct answer. "F or B" is wrong because it states that if Spot 5 is not occupied by F, then it must be occupied by B, which is false because B cannot go into Spot 5.

Re: "Or" statements on LG

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 2:31 am
by dontsaywhatyoumean
Here is the example with modifications only in superficial content, I'm not sure what the copyright rules are.

This is for a simple ordering game.

"If G is performed third, and H is performed sixth, the play performed fifth must be either"
A) F or S
B) F or T
C) U or L

So I don't know if this means that both variables have to be able to be inserted into spot 5, or only one of them.

This is relevant because if both must be able to be inserted into spot 5, then clearly if F is not able to be inserted into spot 5, then you can eliminate answers A and B, without having to check for S and T.

But if only one variable of the pair needs to be able to be inserted into spot 5 for the answer choice to be true, and F is not able to be inserted into spot 5, you still need to check for S and T to verify if the answer choice is incorrect.

Re: "Or" statements on LG

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 6:00 am
by Clearly
dontsaywhatyoumean wrote:Here is the example with modifications only in superficial content, I'm not sure what the copyright rules are.

This is for a simple ordering game.

"If G is performed third, and H is performed sixth, the play performed fifth must be either"
A) F or S
B) F or T
C) U or L

So I don't know if this means that both variables have to be able to be inserted into spot 5, or only one of them.

This is relevant because if both must be able to be inserted into spot 5, then clearly if F is not able to be inserted into spot 5, then you can eliminate answers A and B, without having to check for S and T.

But if only one variable of the pair needs to be able to be inserted into spot 5 for the answer choice to be true, and F is not able to be inserted into spot 5, you still need to check for S and T to verify if the answer choice is incorrect.
In this context the correct answer means both of those guys need to be able to fit. (and usually that they are the only 2 that can fit).

Re: "Or" statements on LG

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 12:33 pm
by Mikey
Clearly wrote:
dontsaywhatyoumean wrote:Here is the example with modifications only in superficial content, I'm not sure what the copyright rules are.

This is for a simple ordering game.

"If G is performed third, and H is performed sixth, the play performed fifth must be either"
A) F or S
B) F or T
C) U or L

So I don't know if this means that both variables have to be able to be inserted into spot 5, or only one of them.

This is relevant because if both must be able to be inserted into spot 5, then clearly if F is not able to be inserted into spot 5, then you can eliminate answers A and B, without having to check for S and T.

But if only one variable of the pair needs to be able to be inserted into spot 5 for the answer choice to be true, and F is not able to be inserted into spot 5, you still need to check for S and T to verify if the answer choice is incorrect.
In this context the correct answer means both of those guys need to be able to fit. (and usually that they are the only 2 that can fit).
Adding onto what Clearly said, the correct answer will be the entities that are the ONLY ones that can go into spot 5 IF G is 3rd and H is 6th. So you would make a diagram with the additional rules and go from there to see who can or can't be in spot 5. For example, if choice C were to be the answer, it could possibly be because U and L trade off on spot 5 and another spot. Therefore, either of the 2 can be in spot 5.

Re: "Or" statements on LG

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 3:00 pm
by CPAlawHopefu
dontsaywhatyoumean wrote:Here is the example with modifications only in superficial content, I'm not sure what the copyright rules are.

This is for a simple ordering game.

"If G is performed third, and H is performed sixth, the play performed fifth must be either"
A) F or S
B) F or T
C) U or L

So I don't know if this means that both variables have to be able to be inserted into spot 5, or only one of them.

This is relevant because if both must be able to be inserted into spot 5, then clearly if F is not able to be inserted into spot 5, then you can eliminate answers A and B, without having to check for S and T.

But if only one variable of the pair needs to be able to be inserted into spot 5 for the answer choice to be true, and F is not able to be inserted into spot 5, you still need to check for S and T to verify if the answer choice is incorrect.
If F is not able to fit into spot 5, then you need to eliminate all answer choices that mentions F.

Re: "Or" statements on LG

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 6:23 pm
by NoSpecialSymbolsPlz
dontsaywhatyoumean wrote:Sorry, I'm still confused.

Does there have to be the possibility that both can be in spot 5, or only one of them must be for the answer choice to be the right answer?

For example, if two answer choices are "F or B", and "F or G", then if F cannot be in spot 5, then you can eliminate both answer choices "F or B", and "F or G", if you interpret the question as meaning that both F and B, or F and G must be able to be in spot 5. However, if the question is interpreted as meaning that only one must be able to go in spot 5, then obviously only F, B or G need to be able to go into spot 5.

Thanks
I'm pretty sure the LSAT writers are referring to the XOR when specifying OR - i.e. only one of A or B must be in spot X.