Setup and Rule Diagrams

[Dave Killoran]

Setup and Rule Diagram Explanation

This is a Grouping Game: Defined-Fixed, Balanced.

June 96_M12_game#4_L5_explanations_game#1_setup_diagram_1.png

This game features nine variables being assigned to three fixed groups of three. Thus, the game is Defined-Fixed and Balanced. Games of this type are usually relatively reasonable, and this game is no exception. However, this game presents a challenge because of the large number of negative grouping rules you must remember.

The setup above presents the diagram for each rule, but presents those diagrams with the block knowledge provided by the first two rules. The two blocks have a tremendous effect on this game, because the other rules link to variables within those blocks and also because the two blocks take up a significant amount of room in each group (so much so that the two blocks cannot be placed into the same group).

Note that the last rule is presented with both conditions negated, and that the most efficient way to handle a rule of that type is to take the contrapositive and turn both conditions positive. In positive form, the presence of H on the Oceans panel forces P onto the Oceans panel, and does not leave enough room for either of the other two blocks (although, of course, from the first and fourth rules H can never be on the same panel as the FG block).

[DAthenour]

Thank you for setup diagram it is very helpful. I have a question that applies to this game but to other games more generally: When do you use the X Y notation and when do you use a Not-Block? Similarly, when should you use X Y and when should you draw a block? Is there a general rule that is helpful to follow?

Long story short, I used the arrow notation and thus spent way too much time trying to figure out question 24, as opposed to recognizing that putting Gregory and Kenji together would mean bringing in M and F, which would force four people and effectively break the game.

Thanks for your help!

[nicholaspavic]

Hi Dathenour,

This is a great question. And the answer is that it all depends on the circumstances. The Double Not Arrow is useful for chasing diagrammed, conditional logic. In other words, those instances where you are making conditional chains. In that case, the Double Not Arrow can really help you picture the multichain which you may have to assemble for a given game.

On the other hand, the Not-Block helps us when we have diagrammed multistack slots that we can put blocks in, say for example, in an advanced linear game. Think of it this way. If you are trying to picture like you did here, the rule for Gregory and Kenji, that Not Block becomes a very powerful tool for your visualization. Oftentimes, I find that students generally tend to favor Not Blocks over the Double Not Arrow which inevitably leads to the question, is that ok? My answer is that it is okay as long as it is helping you. You are the only one who can make the determination in the end about what helps you determine the most efficient way to manipulate the game. But if you find yourself preferring Not Blocks to the Double Not Arrows know that you are not alone.

Thanks for the great question and I hope this helps!

[Yara]

Could you please explain how the KM block got added to the first rule? Thank you!

[Adam Tyson]

Absolutely, Yara! The scenario for this game tells us that exactly three students will be assigned to each panel, and we have to pay attention to numbers in every logic game. The FG block cannot be paired with the KM block in one panel because that would be 4 students in that panel, rather than exactly three. So, wherever F and G go, K and M must go somewhere else!

[Djay12]

Typically, in logic games, The "Base" is determined by the variable set that has the most inherent numerical sequential capability. How do you select the base for a grouping? This question is in reference to L5, Game#1:June 1996 Questions 20-24.

[Stephanie Oswalt]

Hi Djay12,

Thanks for the post! I have moved your question to the thread discussing this Game. Please review the above official explanation and discussion, and let us know if that helps, or if you still have further questions! Thanks!

[concrottrox11@gmail.com]

Are writing out "not rules" underneath the columns (groups), not a typical step in grouping games like it is in linear games? A hypothetical example being, crossing off the letter "K" underneath the column for group W in a grouping game, when given that K cant be in group W.

[Robert Carroll]

concrottrox11,

That is definitely a typical step if a variable can never go in a certain group. In this game, any variable could be in any group, so we do not get those Not Laws, at least globally. In certain of the local questions, as you can see, we do get Not Laws.

Robert Carroll