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- Tue Oct 15, 2019 4:41 pm
#71225
This game is discussed in our Podcast: LSAT Podcast Episode 31: The September 2019 LSAT Logic Games Section
Setup and Rule Diagram Explanation
This is a Grouping Game: Defined-Fixed, Balanced, Numerical Distribution
This was an infamous game and many students walked away from the September 2019 LSAT complaining about the difficulty of the section overall, and this game in particular. The reasons are obvious: there are a number of moving parts, rules which don't appear to be well-connected, and a lot of spaces to fill. To master this game, you have to have a reasoned approach, follow the indicators the test makers give you, and focus on the remaining open spaces. If you can do that, then the game isn't as difficult as advertised.
To begin with, there are three variable sets:
The rules will now allocate flowers to each arranger. We'll show the allocation and then talk about each rule:
Let's look at those relationships, while keeping in mind that each arrangers can only use three kinds of flowers. This use of three kinds of flowers for four spaces results in a 2-1-1 numerical distribution of flowers-to-types. For example, perhaps an arranger uses two hyacinths, one gardenia, and one rose in their arrangement. That's three types and four total flowers in a 2-1-1 alignment.
Rule #1: Solomon is the only arranger to use exactly two Rs. This means that Solomon needs to use two other kinds of flowers (one of each) to fill out the arrangement. In this case, that means Solomon's arrangement must be filled by two kinds of G, H, and L.
The exclusivity aspect to Solomon being the only one to use two Rs will also impact other arranger's options, you can be sure.
Rule #2: Tabitha uses exactly one H, and while the forum doesn't allow us to show this well due to the limitations of the graphical tools, on a diagram we'd use a block around the H to show that it's the only one Tabitha can choose. You can add H Not Laws under the upper tiers as well if that helps cement the idea visually.
Rule #3: Ursula uses exactly one R, and while the forum doesn't allow us to show this well due to the limitations of the graphical tools, on a diagram we'd use a block around the R to show that it's the only one Ursula can choose. You can add R Not Laws under the upper tiers as well if that helps cement the idea visually.
Rule #4: Will uses two Gs, and thus like Solomon will need to have two other flower types (of one flower each) to fill out the arrangement. In this case, that means Will's arrangement must be filled by two kinds of H, L, and R.
Rule #5: Zepi has double-exclusivity: not only is Zepi using just a single H and a single R (which we'd individually block), that combination is also stated to be unique across the arrangements.
Note that this rule is critically important because with Zepi established as using two separate types just once each, the remaining two spaces must be filled by two flowers of a third kind. Since H and R have already been used, that means the remaining two spaces in Zepi's arrangement must be filled by two Gs or two Ls:
This inference is critical, and you can see how the test makers buried it in the fifth of six rules.
Rule #6: This rule establishes that one person is using exactly two Ls (and from the prior rule inference we can see that Z is one of the candidates).
At this point, many students were feeling overwhelmed. There are a lot of rules and variables floating around, and all the "exactly" and "no one else" references are tough to track. Remember, when things seem like there are too many options, it's means there are still limitations in the game that you haven't seen! Stop for a moment and examine what the test makers have given you, starting with restricted points or variables that seem to connect to others.
We made some minor inferences about remainder options with rules #1, #4, and #5, but the process does not end there. Let's now examine the restrictions that result from the "exactly" and "no one else" conditions:
Rule #5 is a good place to start, since the exclusive one R and one H restriction plays so well with the remaining options for Will. If you recall, Will must have two flowers from the group of H, L, and R (on top of the two Gs already used). However, if Will were to select H and R, then Will and Zepi would both have HR, a violation of the fifth rule. Thus, we can infer that Will selects one L, and then the remainder is H/L:
Let's continue on and look at Ursula. Ursula uses exactly one R and at least one H. What are the options for the two remaining flowers? On the surface it looks wide open, but its not. Could Ursula use another R? No, because that would violate Rule #1 which states that Solomon is the only arranger two use two Rs. So, the choices are H, G, and L in some configuration. But wait, there's more
Ursula's base configuration is H and R, as is Zepis, but Zepi is the only one who can have one H and one R. Thus, Ursula can't have just those two, and must have one more R or one more H. But we just ruled out an extra R, so we can infer that Ursula must have another H. That then leaves the choice of G or L as the fourth flower:
Continuing the trend of moving backwards through the arrangers, Tabitha is next up. We know that Tabitha use exactly one H, so no H can be used in the remainder of the arrangement. That leaves choices among G, L, and R for the two open spaces. Let's consider what happens with each choice, focusing on the flower that could be doubled:
The remaining arranger is Solomon, who uses exactly two Rs. Thus, Solomon must use two separate kinds of flowers from the group of G, H, and L.
Solomon also cannot be a destination for the two Ls required by the last rule, however, as that would force Solomon to use two Rs and two Ls, which is only two kinds of flowers (and the scenario stipulates that three are required). Thus only Tabitha or Zepi can be the destination for the two Ls, and one of them must have two Ls in any solution to the game.
Overall, an intimidating game for the outset, but by using Zepi to crack open the restrictions on the remaining spaces, the game becomes far more manageable. Is it easy? No, not at all. But it's more doable than it seems at first.
Setup and Rule Diagram Explanation
This is a Grouping Game: Defined-Fixed, Balanced, Numerical Distribution
This was an infamous game and many students walked away from the September 2019 LSAT complaining about the difficulty of the section overall, and this game in particular. The reasons are obvious: there are a number of moving parts, rules which don't appear to be well-connected, and a lot of spaces to fill. To master this game, you have to have a reasoned approach, follow the indicators the test makers give you, and focus on the remaining open spaces. If you can do that, then the game isn't as difficult as advertised.
To begin with, there are three variable sets:
- The five flower arrangers: S, T, U, W, and Z
The four individual flowers in each arrangement
The four kinds of flowers: G, H, L, and R
- ___
___
___
___
___
______
___
___
___
______
___
___
___
______
___
___
___
ST
U
W
Z
The rules will now allocate flowers to each arranger. We'll show the allocation and then talk about each rule:
- ___
___
___
___
___
______
___
___
___
_R__G_
_H_
_G_
_R_
_R__H_
_R_
_G_
_H_
ST
U
W
Z
Let's look at those relationships, while keeping in mind that each arrangers can only use three kinds of flowers. This use of three kinds of flowers for four spaces results in a 2-1-1 numerical distribution of flowers-to-types. For example, perhaps an arranger uses two hyacinths, one gardenia, and one rose in their arrangement. That's three types and four total flowers in a 2-1-1 alignment.
Rule #1: Solomon is the only arranger to use exactly two Rs. This means that Solomon needs to use two other kinds of flowers (one of each) to fill out the arrangement. In this case, that means Solomon's arrangement must be filled by two kinds of G, H, and L.
The exclusivity aspect to Solomon being the only one to use two Rs will also impact other arranger's options, you can be sure.
Rule #2: Tabitha uses exactly one H, and while the forum doesn't allow us to show this well due to the limitations of the graphical tools, on a diagram we'd use a block around the H to show that it's the only one Tabitha can choose. You can add H Not Laws under the upper tiers as well if that helps cement the idea visually.
Rule #3: Ursula uses exactly one R, and while the forum doesn't allow us to show this well due to the limitations of the graphical tools, on a diagram we'd use a block around the R to show that it's the only one Ursula can choose. You can add R Not Laws under the upper tiers as well if that helps cement the idea visually.
Rule #4: Will uses two Gs, and thus like Solomon will need to have two other flower types (of one flower each) to fill out the arrangement. In this case, that means Will's arrangement must be filled by two kinds of H, L, and R.
Rule #5: Zepi has double-exclusivity: not only is Zepi using just a single H and a single R (which we'd individually block), that combination is also stated to be unique across the arrangements.
Note that this rule is critically important because with Zepi established as using two separate types just once each, the remaining two spaces must be filled by two flowers of a third kind. Since H and R have already been used, that means the remaining two spaces in Zepi's arrangement must be filled by two Gs or two Ls:
- G or L
G or L
_R_
_H_
Zepi
This inference is critical, and you can see how the test makers buried it in the fifth of six rules.
Rule #6: This rule establishes that one person is using exactly two Ls (and from the prior rule inference we can see that Z is one of the candidates).
At this point, many students were feeling overwhelmed. There are a lot of rules and variables floating around, and all the "exactly" and "no one else" references are tough to track. Remember, when things seem like there are too many options, it's means there are still limitations in the game that you haven't seen! Stop for a moment and examine what the test makers have given you, starting with restricted points or variables that seem to connect to others.
We made some minor inferences about remainder options with rules #1, #4, and #5, but the process does not end there. Let's now examine the restrictions that result from the "exactly" and "no one else" conditions:
Rule #5 is a good place to start, since the exclusive one R and one H restriction plays so well with the remaining options for Will. If you recall, Will must have two flowers from the group of H, L, and R (on top of the two Gs already used). However, if Will were to select H and R, then Will and Zepi would both have HR, a violation of the fifth rule. Thus, we can infer that Will selects one L, and then the remainder is H/L:
- H/R
_L_
_G_
_G_
Will
Let's continue on and look at Ursula. Ursula uses exactly one R and at least one H. What are the options for the two remaining flowers? On the surface it looks wide open, but its not. Could Ursula use another R? No, because that would violate Rule #1 which states that Solomon is the only arranger two use two Rs. So, the choices are H, G, and L in some configuration. But wait, there's more
![Very Happy :-D](./images/smilies/smile2.gif)
- G/L
_H_
_H_
_R_
Ursula
Continuing the trend of moving backwards through the arrangers, Tabitha is next up. We know that Tabitha use exactly one H, so no H can be used in the remainder of the arrangement. That leaves choices among G, L, and R for the two open spaces. Let's consider what happens with each choice, focusing on the flower that could be doubled:
- Can Tabitha choose two Gs? Yes, Tabitha could choose one H, two Gs, and—this is a tough inference—one L. Why can't Tabitha choose an R instead of an L? Because if that occurred, the arrangement would contain one H and one R, a violation of Rule #5. Whoa, that's tricky and very involved! Hard to make that deduction.
Can Tabitha choose two Hs? No, as established above rule #2 states that Tabitha uses exactly one H.
Can Tabitha choose two Ls? Yes, Tabitha could choose one H, one G, and two Ls. This would satisfy the last rule, meaning Tabitha and Zepi are so far the only two arrangers who could meet that final rule.
Can Tabitha choose two Rs? No, that would cause a violation of Rule #1.
- G/L
_L_
_G_
_H_
Tabitha
The remaining arranger is Solomon, who uses exactly two Rs. Thus, Solomon must use two separate kinds of flowers from the group of G, H, and L.
- G/H/L
G/H/L
_R_
_R_
Solomon
Solomon also cannot be a destination for the two Ls required by the last rule, however, as that would force Solomon to use two Rs and two Ls, which is only two kinds of flowers (and the scenario stipulates that three are required). Thus only Tabitha or Zepi can be the destination for the two Ls, and one of them must have two Ls in any solution to the game.
Overall, an intimidating game for the outset, but by using Zepi to crack open the restrictions on the remaining spaces, the game becomes far more manageable. Is it easy? No, not at all. But it's more doable than it seems at first.
Dave Killoran
PowerScore Test Preparation
Follow me on 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/
PowerScore Test Preparation
Follow me on 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/