Setup and Rule Diagrams

[Dave Killoran]

Setup and Rule Diagram Explanation

This is a Pure Sequencing game.

The game scenario establishes that eight clowns get out of a car in order, according to a set of rules that are all sequential in nature. The sequence is a tricky one, so let’s walk through the rules in order to evaluate how the final diagram is created.

The first rule indicates that V gets out some time before both Q and Y:

• pt38_o02_g1_1.png

The second rule indicates that Z gets out some time before Q. This relationship is best added to the diagram with an arrow:

• pt38_o02_g1_2.png

The third rule states that T gets out before V but after R:

• pt38_o02_g1_3.png

The fourth rule complicates matters, and adds another clown, S, behind V:

• pt38_o02_g1_4.png

The fifth and final rule may be the one that poses the most difficulty. R, who already gets out of the car ahead of T, also gets out of the car ahead of W. This creates a double-branched vertical, leading to the final diagram:

pt38_o02_g1_5.png

As in all Sequencing games, always evaluate which variables could be first or last: only R or Z could get out of the car first, and only Q, S, W, or Y could exit the car last.

[srcline@noctrl.edu]

Hello,

I thought this game was pretty straight forward sequencing game, but I wanted to make sure that I had all the not laws. I got nine not laws, is that correct? Also I know that there is a double branched sequence between v> y & Q, so what I did was r> t>v> y& Q (double branched sequence).

Also I diagrammed the rest of the rules as follows, but I think i may have missed a couple of inferences because I got 6 & 7 wrong.

Z> Q
V>S
R>W

For question 6 I was in between B and E. E was the correct answer.
Also for question 7 I dont understand how E is the correct answer. If V is before Z wouldn't the sequence of the last four be V Y Q Z?



Thankyou
Sarah

[David Boyle]

Hello,

I thought this game was pretty straight forward sequencing game, but I wanted to make sure that I had all the not laws. I got nine not laws, is that correct? Also I know that there is a double branched sequence between v> y & Q, so what I did was r> t>v> y& Q (double branched sequence).

Also I diagrammed the rest of the rules as follows, but I think i may have missed a couple of inferences because I got 6 & 7 wrong.

Z> Q
V>S
R>W

For question 6 I was in between B and E. E was the correct answer.
Also for question 7 I dont understand how E is the correct answer. If V is before Z wouldn't the sequence of the last four be V Y Q Z?



Thankyou
Sarah

Hello Sarah,

Not laws may not really apply for sequencing, they're more for linear, say, especially since sequencing doesn't tend to have fixed slots.
A diagram might be like this, using asterisks as spaces since I can't make the letters etc. go over enough without using the asterisks to represent empty space:

************** Z > Q
***************** ---
*********T > V > Y
***************** ---
***************** S
R > -----------------------
***************** W

As for answer E, it seems that V would be ahead of at least Q, S, Y, and Z.

Hope this helps,
David

[LilyRose]

Hello, I had a question about diagramming Game #5 (the Clown Car question). The explanation in the book is provided on P 1-141. When I drew my diagram, I took the exact same steps as in the reasoning, until the last step. Specifically:

V < Q and Y on different branches;
Z branching off separately from Q;
R--T--V linking up to the V already present;
S coming off a separate branch from V.

The last rule states, "R gets out at some time before W." So, I drew a separate branch coming off of R (going back toward T, but above, in the same < shape ). However, the book explanation uses the phrase 'double-branched vertical,' which I don't understand, and redraws R as connected to S and then with a separate branch for W. What does 'double-branched vertical' mean, and why was my diagram not the same as the final diagram? Further, how is R connected to S when there is not a rule that explicitly says this connection (if I am meant to use inferences, which I understand, then why was S specifically chosen as the point of connection)? I can scan a picture and attach it, if that would help.

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Lily,

Thanks for the question! It looks like your post was missed somehow, so my apologies for the delay in getting a reply.

Let's start with "Double Branched Vertical." In your Lesson 1 book, please take a look at page 1-23. That gives examples of Branched Verticals, which is where two or more variables are before or after a another variable. It creates "two branches when that occurs with two variables, hence the name.

As far as the diagram, from what you've written I don't think I'm following it perfectly, so it would be great if you could post a diagram (it sounds like maybe yours is in two pieces?).

To answer part of your question, though, the R and S connection is established by combining the following rules:

• Rule #3: T gets out at some time before V but at some time after R.
  
  This establishes the following diagram: R — T — V
  
  
  Rule #4: S gets out at some time after V.
  
  This establishes the following diagram: V — S
  
  
  Adding the two rules above produces the following chain:
  
  R — T — V — S

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!

[LilyRose]

Alright, I do have a better grasp of the double-branched vertical concept now. It took me a little while to realize that "multi-branched vertical" encompasses both double-branched vertical and triple-branched vertical.

As for my diagram, I've uploaded it below. I understand that R must come before S in the chain R-T-V-S, I was just wondering why they re-drew R as connected to S, rather than keeping it before T, as it had been before they added the last rule. Why wouldn't they just add W branching off R like I did? Is my diagram wrong?

img_5044c.jpg

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Lily,

This is odd. The diagram I'm looking at in our course publication file is identical to yours. Your diagram that you drew in the picture above is correct.

I'm going to pull our Publications Manager in on this discussion since I don't understand why the diagram in the book picture above is different than in the one I have. Regardless, use your hand-drawn one—it's spot on!

Thanks!

[LilyRose]

Thanks for the reply. Well, on the bright side, I am getting the hang of sequencing games then.

The uploader cut my file off a little bit, so here is the full image:
http://imgur.com/xT5csxH


I was suspicious because it seemed like the 'final' diagram in my book, where R has been moved from the end of the T chain to connecting with the S chain, destroys the information that R comes before T and V. I guess my instinct was right this time.


(For the publishing info: It is p 1-141, in Book 1)

[bcait]

Hi Lily,

Thank you for the publishing info! We have noted that error, and it will most definitely be corrected in the next print run.

We've actually posted an updated PDF of pages 1-141 to 1-144 to your Online Student Center. This PDF shows the correct diagrams. Once logged in, go to: Resources and Notes > Course Errata, then click on the link next to the referenced pages.

Hope that helps! Sorry about the confusion, and thanks again for the info!

[LilyRose]

No worries Thanks for the help!