Rule origin drill, Drill 10, LG workbook

[myverdict]

G
L > ----
H

10 c. G and H finish at least as quickly as L.

I'm getting confused with this condition. Why can't it be written as

G
L >_ ----
H

Please explain.

[Adam Tyson]

I'll confess, I don't have that workbook handy - I am in the middle of moving and all my stuff is in boxes in storage. That said, I don't think either of those diagrams is correct for that rule (and I am assuming that we are working fastest to slowest from left to right). I think it should be:

G
--- > L
_
H

G and H are faster than L or else the same speed as L. The only thing that cannot happen is that L cannot be faster than either G or H.

If we are going from slowest to fastest, then I think your diagram is perfect.

Thanks!

[myverdict]

The question is about who finishes earlier and later.

Drill 10 question:
G
L >_ ----
H

The correct answer that matches is the 10 (d) Neither G nor H finishes earlier than L. However, I had a problem with understanding the phrase "at least as quickly as...."

You are right the solution for (c) G and H finish at least as quickly as L is phrased as

G
---- >_ L
H

I am having a roadblock at the function of "at least as quickly as." It means equal to L. But no where does it say that G and H have to finish earlier or later. How do you conclude that G and H have to finish earlier?

[Nikki Siclunov]

Hi myverdict,

If I understand your question correctly, your issue has nothing to do with the correct answer choice (D). Rather, you are asking about what sort of diagram would match the incorrect answer choice (C), which states, "G and H finish at least as quickly as L."

If G and H finish at least as quickly as L, clearly neither G nor H can finish later than L. Either (or both) of them could finish earlier than L, and it is also possible that one (or both) of them could finish at the same time as L. All we need to ensure is that neither of them finishes later than L. Hence, the proper diagram of answer choice (C) would be:

• G
  --- ≥ L
  H

Does this make sense? Let me know.

Thanks!

[myverdict]

Yes you are right, I am asking a question not related to the correct answer. I am still having difficulty understanding the concept of "at least as quickly as."

When one says at least one should be selected, I know for sure that one or more should be selected.

When the statement says "at least as quickly as" as in the drill question, I am still unable to understand how can one determine it to be earlier/later?

And if the statement stated "G and H finish at most as quickly as L." How would this be diagrammed?

[Nikki Siclunov]

Hi myverdict,

Thanks for your question.

"Quickly" is an adverb synonymous with "fast." Both are a measurement of relative speed. Let's say you have two cold medications, A and B (you might recognize this prompt from PrepTest 2). If nothing stops pain more quickly than A, this means that A stops pain at least as quickly as B (A ≥ B). It's possible that A works faster than B, but it's also possible that A and B work equally fast, and that they stop pain at the same time. You should note that in this particular instance, "at least" modifies the adverb "quickly," not the variables A and B.

If I modified my example and said that "A stops pain at most as quickly as B," B would establish the upper limits of speed. A cannot stop pain more quickly than B: either they both stop pain equally fast, or else B stops pain faster (B ≥ A).

Let me know if this helps.

Thanks!

[myverdict]

Thanks a lot. Now I understand the function. I was starting to get worried, if I would ever get this.

Thank you.