#27 - Must Be True

[Nina]

Do we choose D because, in line 3 of the passage it introduced that "an exact definition of fractal has not been established", which equals "establishes a precise definition of its subject matter" in D?

and also, why is answer C incorrect? i know that it only represents the opinion on the part of "enthusiastic practitioners", but since answer D merely phrases as "holds the potential", which also implies a kind of uncertainty, why shouldn't it be counted as correct?

Thanks a lot!

[Justin Eleff]

Sounds like you have (D) pretty much figured out; indeed, the passage tells us there is no exact definition of "fractals" but then proceeds to show us how this theoretical area has developed and found applications even so.

The problem with (C) is that there isn't any indication that it does accurately represent even the opinion of the "enthusiastic practitioners" -- sure, they think fractal geometry is great for describing clouds and all, but where in the passage is there any support for the notion that fractal geometry could replace traditional geometry in ENGINEERING applications specifically?

[Nina]

Thank you very much, Justin!

[Tajadas]

Why is E wrong? The last sentence in the passage seems to support it. Is it because the author doesn't seem to align with the critics' opinions?

[Adam Tyson]

Answer E appears to be disproven by the passage, Tajadas, because fractal geometry already has enthusiastic support (although we cannot be sure how many mathematicians would constitute " a significant number.") Also, we only know that some mathematicians have reservations about fractal geometry, and that they think that precise language of theorems and proofs is required for it to last. The passage doesn't support a more general claim that this is needed before a significant number of mathematicians will enthusiastically support it. Like you said, we cannot be sure that the author aligns with those mathematicians.