#12 - Local, Could Be True

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation
(The complete setup for this game can be found here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=13972)

The correct answer choice is (E)

If M and S are addressed to the same housemate, they cannot be addressed to G from the first rule, leaving only J and R as options. If M and S are addressed to J, then L would be addressed to R, ultimately creating a violation of the third rule because F would be the sole piece of mail addressed to G (P would be addressed to J, and S would already be addressed to R). Thus, M and S cannot be addressed to J, and M and S must be addressed to R.

With M and S addressed to R, we can infer that L must be addressed to J (if L were addressed to R, F would be the sole piece of mail addressed to a housemate, a violation of the last rule). G would have the option of P, or F and P or both, meaning that regardless of who F is addressed to, P must be addressed to G:

June 06_M12_game#2_L5_explanations_game#2_#12_diagram_1.png

As F is the uncertain variable in this question, seek answer choices containing F. Answer choice (E) contains F, and reflects the fact that F could be addressed to J. Answer choice (E) is thus correct.

[melodyc]

Hi, I don't understand why "If M and S are addressed to J, then L would be addressed to R "

[Luke Haqq]

Hi melodyc!

To start, it's worth including that quoted material within its broader context:

If M and S are addressed to J, then L would be addressed to R, ultimately creating a violation of the third rule because F would be the sole piece of mail addressed to G (P would be addressed to J, and S would already be addressed to R). Thus, M and S cannot be addressed to J, and M and S must be addressed to R.

In other words, we know that the person receiving the magazine and survey must be R. We can eliminate G from the outset, because of the first rule. We're therefore left with J or R as the person who receives the magazine and survey. However, if we use J and try to fill out the rest, it won't work. We'd start with:

_ _ J _ J
F,L,M,P,S

With that base, who could receive the letter? It wouldn't work if R received the letter; this would mean J receives the postcard (rule 2), and G receives the flyer. However, that would violate the 3rd rule because the person receiving the flyer is supposed to receive at least one additional piece of mail.

It also wouldn't work if J received the letter for the same reason. In that case, we'd have three Js, and again there'd be a problem because the person receiving the flyer must receive at least one other piece of mail. If that happened, there'd be no room left for the other person.

So, in sum, we know that J and G can't be the ones that receive the magazine and survey. It must instead be R. It seems that there are two possible foundations given the local conditions in this question:

G, J, R, G, R
F, L, M, P, S

J, J, R, G, R
F, L, M, P, S