#21 - Local, Must Be True, Maximum

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation
(The complete setup for this game can be found here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=11086)

The correct answer choice is (D)

If M is faster than J, then at least three chips must be faster than J: H, M, and F or G. Thus, the earliest J could be is fourth, eliminating answer choices (A) and (B). However, in order to be certain that J can be fourth, try a hypothetical and confirm that J can be fourth:

June 06_game#4_M12_L3_explanations_game#3_#21_diagram_1.png

Unfortunately, this hypothetical fails because the first four spaces are occupied, forcing K to be ranked fifth and thus L must be ranked eighth, leaving no room for O. Therefore, answer choice (C) is also incorrect.

J in fifth will work, as shown by the following hypothetical:

June 06_game#4_M12_L3_explanations_game#3_#21_diagram_2.png

Answer choice (D) is therefore correct.

[andbzav@gmail.com]

Could it be said that the H_J block (with 2 spaces before J) + M (a third space before J), along with the fact that F or G has to come before H (a fourth space before J), forces the same outcome - that the fastest ranking J could be is 5th?

[Adam Tyson]

You could get to it that way IF you made the inference that M cannot be the variable that is directly between H and J, which many students unfortunately miss. Since that space must be either filled by K or L, you could say that J must now be after H, M, either K or L, and either F or G.

If you fail to make that inference back in the setup portion of the game, you might need to do the extra work described here.

[andbzav@gmail.com]

Thank you for your time.

[mackenziemarcus]

Can you explain why there is no room for O?

I can't see the rule against the order being F G M J K O G L

[mackenziemarcus]

Can you explain why there is no room for O?

I can't see the rule against the order being F G M J K O G L

I made a typo I mean this order: F H M J K O G L

[Robert Carroll]

mackenzie,

O must be slower than J and L, via the last rule, so that order is not acceptable.

Robert Carroll

[alliewad95]

I'm so confused... Why is B wrong? Can you please submit a step by step answer; thank you in advance.

[Adam Tyson]

We already did, alliewad95 - it's in the first post at the top of this thread. I'm not sure I could add anything to that! Give that a look and let us know if there is anything about it that you found confusing.

Also, if you are unsure about answer B, try it out! Draw a hypothetical solution where J is third. Remember, all the original rules still apply, so F or G must be first, and H is before J with exactly one chip between them. And of course, per the local restriction in this question, M has to also be somewhere before J (which could perhaps put it between the H and the J, although you will discover that's not possible because of the effect that would have on the K _ _ L block).

Give it a try and let us know if you are still having trouble with it!

[josh1ua]

Why doesn't the M go between the H and J when the question says that it M is faster J? Also, what would the diagram be for this question?