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- Sat May 05, 2018 11:22 am
#45441
Setup and Rule Diagram Explanation
This is an Advanced Linear Game: Balanced, Identify the Templates.
From the game scenario, we know that there are three variable sets: the five towns, the precipitation, and the order that the storm passes over the towns. Since the storm has a linear order, choosing that as the base is the most logical choice. This decision creates a linear setup with two stacks, one for the towns and one for the precipitation (remember to leave ample vertical space between the two stacks since each row will likely have its own Not Laws):
Because the rules have so many consequences, let’s examine each rule individually.
Rule #1. This rule is very straightforward and it can be represented by placing a “P” in the third space of the Town row:
Rule #2. This is another easy rule to diagram:
Rule #3. While the first two rules can be represented directly on the diagram, this rule must be diagrammed separately as two blocks. Of course, because L and O must have rain only, neither can be second:
The most obvious deduction that you should draw from this rule is that the two blocks can only be placed in the first, fourth, or fifth positions (the second and third positions already have conflicting information).
Rule #4. The final rule is sequential, and can be diagrammed as follows:
This rule is critical because it limits the placement of the towns, and ultimately leads to two templates. Let’s examine the implications of the rule more closely.
Because L and N must both be ahead of J, J can never be first or second. And, since P is already third, N must be the second town that the storm passes over, and either L or O must be the first town that the storm passes over; J must be fourth or fifth:
Reviewing the setup we have at this point, there are a number of limitations present. As in any game with restrictions, you should carefully consider if the restrictions are powerful enough so that taking a template approach would be optimal. In this case, we can create two templates based on the placement of J (J is chosen since it pushes L and N forward):
Template #1: J in the fourth position.
When J is fourth, L must be first, and O must be fifth. The only uncertainty in this template is the precipitation status for P and J.
Template #2: J in the fifth position.
This template has more possibilities than Template #1 because the exact placement of L and O cannot be determined.
With these two templates, answering the questions is easy.
This is an Advanced Linear Game: Balanced, Identify the Templates.
From the game scenario, we know that there are three variable sets: the five towns, the precipitation, and the order that the storm passes over the towns. Since the storm has a linear order, choosing that as the base is the most logical choice. This decision creates a linear setup with two stacks, one for the towns and one for the precipitation (remember to leave ample vertical space between the two stacks since each row will likely have its own Not Laws):
Because the rules have so many consequences, let’s examine each rule individually.
Rule #1. This rule is very straightforward and it can be represented by placing a “P” in the third space of the Town row:
Rule #2. This is another easy rule to diagram:
Rule #3. While the first two rules can be represented directly on the diagram, this rule must be diagrammed separately as two blocks. Of course, because L and O must have rain only, neither can be second:
The most obvious deduction that you should draw from this rule is that the two blocks can only be placed in the first, fourth, or fifth positions (the second and third positions already have conflicting information).
Rule #4. The final rule is sequential, and can be diagrammed as follows:
This rule is critical because it limits the placement of the towns, and ultimately leads to two templates. Let’s examine the implications of the rule more closely.
Because L and N must both be ahead of J, J can never be first or second. And, since P is already third, N must be the second town that the storm passes over, and either L or O must be the first town that the storm passes over; J must be fourth or fifth:
Reviewing the setup we have at this point, there are a number of limitations present. As in any game with restrictions, you should carefully consider if the restrictions are powerful enough so that taking a template approach would be optimal. In this case, we can create two templates based on the placement of J (J is chosen since it pushes L and N forward):
Template #1: J in the fourth position.
When J is fourth, L must be first, and O must be fifth. The only uncertainty in this template is the precipitation status for P and J.
Template #2: J in the fifth position.
This template has more possibilities than Template #1 because the exact placement of L and O cannot be determined.
With these two templates, answering the questions is easy.
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Dave Killoran
PowerScore Test Preparation
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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/
