#19 - Local, Must Be True, Except

[Dave Killoran]

Complete Question Explanation
(The complete setup for this game can be found here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=7563)

The correct answer choice is (C).

If Y is farther south than L but farther north than T, then Y must be at the center of the west side and L must be on the northeast corner. K must then be at the center of the east side, leaving X and Z to rotate on the south side:

PT6-Oct 1992 LG Explanations game 3 #19 diagram 1.png

As X and Z are the only two benches that are not fixed, one of them must be in the correct answer. A scan of the answers indicates that only answer choices (C) and (E) contain X or Z or both. Answer choice (E) cannot be the correct answer because X and Z always are next to each other. In answer choice (C), X does not have to be next to T (Z can be next to T instead), and so answer choice (C) is correct.

[christinecwt]

Hi May I know why "L must be on the northeast corner. K must then be at the center of the east side"? Many thanks!

[Adam Tyson]

Start with the main setup, which you can find here: viewtopic.php?f=432&t=7563

This means that the three pink benches, XYZ, all have to be placed around that southwest corner of the park, with one of them at the corner, one in the middle of the west side, and one in the middle of the south side.

Now, apply the local condition that Y is south of L and north of T, and you'll see that to be north of T, Y must be the one that is in the middle of the west side of the park. Otherwise, it would be on the south side and not be north of anything. But if it is in the middle of the west side, in order to be south of L we have to move L up to the northeast corner. If not, they would both be in the middle of their respective sides and Y would not be south of L. And once we place L in the northeast corner, K is forced to the middle of the eastern side, between L and T.

What's left? X and Z, which are interchangeable in the two open spots on the south side, one in the southwest corner and the other in the middle of the south side. So X might be between Y and Z, or it might be between Z and T.

It all starts with the main setup! It can take a bit of work to figure out, but the only way this game works is if the red benches are at opposite corners, keeping the greens and pinks away from each other.