Q4

[gregjparker]

I am having trouble with question 4. I can answer it if given enough time, but I have noticed that I have stumbled on this question both times I have tried to solve it. Can somebody please run through the methodology of answering this question? Specifically, what deductions can you make quickly -- and how?

Here is how I have attempted it:

I have the standard tree plotting each point and then I have a diagram showing:

I G _|_ _ _|_ _ _

a) If F and K are in level 2, then L can be in 2 or 3. So this cannot be the answer.

b) If F and M are in level 2, then K and J can both be either level 1 or level 2. So this cannot be the answer.

c) If H and J are in level 2, then m must in level 2 as well. K must be in level 1. The rest must be level 3. This must be the answer.

I think my problem is that I don't know of any way to initially tackle this problem, so I freeze up or rush through and make mistakes. I think seeing someone's methodology here would be useful.

Thanks!

[noah]

Good question. I have done this question several times over the last couple of years, and always have this nagging sensation that I don't have a great approach. i feel like I should be able to predict the answer - but that's unrealistic with so many options on the table. Perhaps there isn't some slick way.

What I focused on was that the correct answer must accomplish both:

1. Assign J or K to the first class.
2. Require a specific third body for the second class.

This ends up looking very similar to your write-up, but here goes:

(A) job 1 is accomplished, but not job 2.
(B) job 1 is not accomplished and neither is job 2.
(C) job 1 is accomplished (K), and M is stuck in class 2.
(D) job 1 is accomplished, but not job 2 (M/F)
(E) job 1 is not accomplished, and neither is job 2.

I hope that helps.

[mlbrandow]

I am having trouble with question 4. I can answer it if given enough time, but I have noticed that I have stumbled on this question both times I have tried to solve it. Can somebody please run through the methodology of answering this question? Specifically, what deductions can you make quickly -- and how?

Here is how I have attempted it:

I have the standard tree plotting each point and then I have a diagram showing:

I G _|_ _ _|_ _ _

a) If F and K are in level 2, then L can be in 2 or 3. So this cannot be the answer.

b) If F and M are in level 2, then K and J can both be either level 1 or level 2. So this cannot be the answer.

c) If H and J are in level 2, then m must in level 2 as well. K must be in level 1. The rest must be level 3. This must be the answer.

I think my problem is that I don't know of any way to initially tackle this problem, so I freeze up or rush through and make mistakes. I think seeing someone's methodology here would be useful.

Thanks!

A good diagram goes a long way toward being able to roll right through this problem.



Figure 1.0 is the default setup given the stated rules. But all of these lines are of indeterminate length, and so can be either stretched or shortened.

Figure 1.1 shows the stretching that occurs which allows J and H to make group 2, which is sufficient to allow identification of all three groups.

Understanding your diagram will allow you to more easily conceptualize it and move it in your mind on the paper, which then allows you to confidently blow through the answer choices in a matter of seconds.

[ericha3535]

Did anybody have a problem with this question because of the wording of the question?

IT says "completely determined...
What the hack...

I thought it meant as if AC is true, would determine who goes where exactly.

If H and J are in 2, then

1: I G K
2: J M H
3: would place the rest which are L, H, and N.

But I was struggling with this question because of the last 3:

I mean, we know they have to go there but we don't know which goes which... and I thought this game was both ordering and grouping game combo so I thought who goes in the first spot of lvl 3 was important.

Any thought people?

[noah]

Did anybody have a problem with this question because of the wording of the question?

IT says "completely determined...
What the hack...

I thought it meant as if AC is true, would determine who goes where exactly.

If H and J are in 2, then

1: I G K
2: J M H
3: would place the rest which are L, H, and N.

But I was struggling with this question because of the last 3:

I mean, we know they have to go there but we don't know which goes which... and I thought this game was both ordering and grouping game combo so I thought who goes in the first spot of lvl 3 was important.

Any thought people?

That is tricky, especially since usually you're asked for an answer that determines everything. I don't have any deep advice here--it sounds like you get why the wording means what it does ("composition" is different and more vague than "order")--but I bet you'll never trip up on anything like that again.