Discussion

If Fred's statements are true, which of the following can be concluded?
(A)Since Fred had too much to drink last night, he feels like hell today.
(B)...
(C)...
(D)...
(E)...
(F)...
*This question is included in Exercise Set 5: Intro to Chains, question #6

The solution is

Posted: 04/17/2012 22:11
He said "it's only when I have too many drinks that I feel like hell in the morning " and last night he had too many drinks. So why doesn't he feel like hell this morning?
Posted: 04/18/2012 01:07
This is an example of an "only if" problem.

"Only if A then B" can be rewritten as:
If B then A, which be rewritten as: If not A then not B. These are the only conclusions that can be drawn.

The relevant statement is "only when I have too many drinks that I feel like hell in the morning".

So you can draw a conclusion that "If I feel like hell then I had too many drinks"; and also "If I didn't have too many drinks, then I don't feel like hell".

But you cannot rewrite / or conclude it as "if I had too many drinks, then I feel like hell in the morning". "Only" makes a big difference.

Remember these 3 conditional scenarios:
1. If A then B, you can conclude if not B then not A
2. Only if A then B, you can conclude if B then A, and by rule 1: if not A then not B
3. If and only if A then B, you can conclude if A then B, and if B then A

Google "LSAT only if", there are many free explanations.

You need to be signed in to perform that action.

Sign In