#11 - Global, Must Be True, Maximum

[AttJazz08]

Hello!
I completely appreciate all of the time taken to explain what the question is actually asking, and the reasoning process for the correct answer.

The one thing that I do not quite understand is why is this a question that Powerscore is classifying as Must Be True, if the questions asks :
"What is the maximum possible number of the soft
drink names any one of which could be among the
three most popular?"

Would it be accurate to say that it is because COULD be in this sentence does not impact the degree of certainty the question is asking for?

Thank you!

[Rachael Wilkenfeld]

AttJazz, you are correct that the "could" here serves a different function than in a "could be true" type question. This one is asking you to find something that must be true---the exact number of variables that could appear in the first three ranks. Even though the question is asking using the word could, it's asking for an answer with certainty. It's certain that the first three selections must be made up of those four options. That must be true.

Hope that helps!

[rcthomas23]

Hello,

I see that this is classified as a must be true question. I understand why it is global and a maximum question but the question stem asks what drinks "could be among the three most popular." Can you explain why this isn't a "could be true" question?

Thanks!

[Beth Hayden]

Hi RC,

Great question! The question stem is asking how many of the soft drinks could be in the top three. I would call this a must be true because they are not asking whether a specific soft drink could be in third place in some possible solution. They are asking you a question about what is true in all of the possible solutions. Think of it this way: say that A, B, and C are all the variables that could be in third place. That means that it must be true that either A, B, or C is in third place. Subtle distinction and, in the end, it really doesn't make a difference what you call it as long as you understand what they are asking of you.

Hope that helps!
Beth