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- Mon Aug 28, 2017 4:29 pm
#38911
Setup and Rule Diagram Explanation
This is a Basic Linear: Balanced, Identify the Templates game.
Because Basic Linear games are generally easy to handle for most test takers, this was an excellent way to begin the Logic Games section of the December 2014 LSAT.
The game scenario establishes that each of six band members performs exactly one solo. Because there are no ties, this is a Balanced game. The following linear scenario underpins the sequence:
The game is heavily dominated by sequencing rules, which is why our primary task will be to combine the rules into one or more sequencing chains. That said, do not lose track of the first rule (below), which is not a sequencing rule and is easy to overlook.
The first rule establishes a G Not Law in the fourth position:
The second rule establishes the following sequence:
P 
K
The third rule establishes the following sequence:
V K G
The fourth rule establishes that S must be after either P or T, but not after both. It is imperative to examine each possibility separately:
P S T
or
T S P
At this point, we would normally attempt to combine the rules in order to produce a sequencing chain. This step is somewhat complicated by the fact that the last rule does not mandate a fixed sequence of variables; instead, it provides for alternating sequences. Consequently, our linkage will produce two sequencing chains. Essentially, this would be a Templates-based approach, because the chains you make will represent an exhaustive range of solutions.
The easiest way to begin would be to combine the second and the third rules, as both of them restrict the placement of K. When combined, these rules produce the following sequence:
Now, let’s implement each of the two options produced by the last rule:
Now all we need to do is examine the impact of the first rule on each template: G cannot appear fourth. This prohibition has no effect on Template 2, as G is clearly last in that template. However, the first rule will be relevant to Template 1: if G cannot be fourth, it must be either fifth or sixth. The simplest way to implement this inference would be to use a 5/6 subscript next to G, as shown below:
An alternative—albeit slightly more laborious—approach to Template 1 would be to realize that G could only end up fourth if S were later than G. To ensure that this never happens, S must place earlier than G. With that inference in mind, we could redraw Template 1 to look like this:
Whether you decide to redraw your template or use a subscript notation next to G, it is imperative to take into account the first rule when working with Template 1! Also, in determining relationships between variables, do not let physical proximity on the diagram influence your evaluation. For instance, just because V appears to the left of T does not mean that there is any direct relationship between V and T. It is possible, for instance, that T is third and V—fourth in Template 1. The key to working with sequencing rules is to avoid making unwarranted assumptions such as this.
Thus, we arrive at the following final setup for this game:
This is a Basic Linear: Balanced, Identify the Templates game.
Because Basic Linear games are generally easy to handle for most test takers, this was an excellent way to begin the Logic Games section of the December 2014 LSAT.
The game scenario establishes that each of six band members performs exactly one solo. Because there are no ties, this is a Balanced game. The following linear scenario underpins the sequence:
The game is heavily dominated by sequencing rules, which is why our primary task will be to combine the rules into one or more sequencing chains. That said, do not lose track of the first rule (below), which is not a sequencing rule and is easy to overlook.
The first rule establishes a G Not Law in the fourth position:
The second rule establishes the following sequence:
P KThe third rule establishes the following sequence:
V K GThe fourth rule establishes that S must be after either P or T, but not after both. It is imperative to examine each possibility separately:
P S T or T S PAt this point, we would normally attempt to combine the rules in order to produce a sequencing chain. This step is somewhat complicated by the fact that the last rule does not mandate a fixed sequence of variables; instead, it provides for alternating sequences. Consequently, our linkage will produce two sequencing chains. Essentially, this would be a Templates-based approach, because the chains you make will represent an exhaustive range of solutions.
The easiest way to begin would be to combine the second and the third rules, as both of them restrict the placement of K. When combined, these rules produce the following sequence:
Now, let’s implement each of the two options produced by the last rule:
Now all we need to do is examine the impact of the first rule on each template: G cannot appear fourth. This prohibition has no effect on Template 2, as G is clearly last in that template. However, the first rule will be relevant to Template 1: if G cannot be fourth, it must be either fifth or sixth. The simplest way to implement this inference would be to use a 5/6 subscript next to G, as shown below:
An alternative—albeit slightly more laborious—approach to Template 1 would be to realize that G could only end up fourth if S were later than G. To ensure that this never happens, S must place earlier than G. With that inference in mind, we could redraw Template 1 to look like this:
Whether you decide to redraw your template or use a subscript notation next to G, it is imperative to take into account the first rule when working with Template 1! Also, in determining relationships between variables, do not let physical proximity on the diagram influence your evaluation. For instance, just because V appears to the left of T does not mean that there is any direct relationship between V and T. It is possible, for instance, that T is third and V—fourth in Template 1. The key to working with sequencing rules is to avoid making unwarranted assumptions such as this.
Thus, we arrive at the following final setup for this game:
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