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- Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:00 am
#41323
Setup and Rule Diagram Explanation
This is a Basic Linear: Unbalanced: Overloaded game.
Because we have eight apartments that must be distributed over five floors, this is an Unbalanced:
Overloaded game. The given rules and restrictions can then be used to create a 2-2-2-1-1 unfixed numerical distribution. Unfortunately, this distribution proves to be of little value in the game. This occurrence should not deter you from seeking numerical distributions in the future. There are many examples of games where the numerical distribution proved to be the key to answering one or more questions.
The game should be set up as follows:
One difficult aspect of this game is the uncertainty over which floors contain two apartments. Since it is certain that there is at least one apartment per floor, we have placed slots on each of the five floors of our diagram. In the case of the second floor, which is known to have only one apartment, a short vertical line has been placed at the end of the slot. This vertical line serves as a visual reminder that the second floor contains one and only one apartment. Also of note in this game is the importance of correctly diagramming each rule. In the case of K, who lives one floor above P, the block must be shown vertically since the main diagram is vertical. On the other hand, the rule involving M and N must be shown horizontally because they live on the same floor. By diagramming these rules correctly, you gain a powerful advantage over the game, and you also eliminate a possible source of confusion. Also note that if this game were set up horizontally, then the diagramming of each rule would shift accordingly. For example, the KP block would be horizontal, whereas the MN block would be vertical. In essence you align the blocks with the diagram in order to make the most visual sense. On a vertical diagram a vertical block suggests one variable on top of another, but on a horizontal diagram a vertical block suggests that the two variables share the same space.
Let us take a moment to examine the Not Laws in the game:
This is a Basic Linear: Unbalanced: Overloaded game.
Because we have eight apartments that must be distributed over five floors, this is an Unbalanced:
Overloaded game. The given rules and restrictions can then be used to create a 2-2-2-1-1 unfixed numerical distribution. Unfortunately, this distribution proves to be of little value in the game. This occurrence should not deter you from seeking numerical distributions in the future. There are many examples of games where the numerical distribution proved to be the key to answering one or more questions.
The game should be set up as follows:
One difficult aspect of this game is the uncertainty over which floors contain two apartments. Since it is certain that there is at least one apartment per floor, we have placed slots on each of the five floors of our diagram. In the case of the second floor, which is known to have only one apartment, a short vertical line has been placed at the end of the slot. This vertical line serves as a visual reminder that the second floor contains one and only one apartment. Also of note in this game is the importance of correctly diagramming each rule. In the case of K, who lives one floor above P, the block must be shown vertically since the main diagram is vertical. On the other hand, the rule involving M and N must be shown horizontally because they live on the same floor. By diagramming these rules correctly, you gain a powerful advantage over the game, and you also eliminate a possible source of confusion. Also note that if this game were set up horizontally, then the diagramming of each rule would shift accordingly. For example, the KP block would be horizontal, whereas the MN block would be vertical. In essence you align the blocks with the diagram in order to make the most visual sense. On a vertical diagram a vertical block suggests one variable on top of another, but on a horizontal diagram a vertical block suggests that the two variables share the same space.
Let us take a moment to examine the Not Laws in the game:
The occupancy limitation on the second floor produces Not Laws for J, M, and N, each of which is involved in a block rule.One of the keys to doing well on the questions is to remember all of the different rules, each of which is unique in form (this is, of course, why we represent rules visually—doing so makes them easier to remember).
Because K must live on the floor directly above P, P cannot live on the fifth floor and K cannot live on the first floor.
The last rule creates Q Not Laws on the first two floors. Also note that although Q cannot live on the first and second floors, this does not affect the placement of O. In Linear games, not-blocks tend to be relatively weak rules (this will not be the case when discussing grouping games), because the not-block cannot be applied until one of the variables in the block is placed. Since Q has not been placed, it has not yet had an effect on O.
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Dave Killoran
PowerScore Test Preparation
Follow me on X/Twitter at http://twitter.com/DaveKilloran
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PowerScore Test Preparation
Follow me on X/Twitter at http://twitter.com/DaveKilloran
My LSAT Articles: http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/author/dave-killoran
PowerScore Podcast: http://www.powerscore.com/lsat/podcast/
