Q7 - Landlord needed to replace AC units

[kkate]

Hi!

I misinterpreted this question to be a Principle as opposed to a Necessary Assumption. Similar incident happened before where I chose the wrong answer thinking it was a Principle when in fact it was an Inference question. Can someone help me distinguish Principle type questions vs. Necessary assumption question in disguise? Perhaps I'm not too clear on Principle question family?

I chose C although I wasn't confident with "always" in the sentence. I chose this anyways (aside from the fact that I was running out of time) because I thought as a Principle question, it's okay for the answer to be more exaggerated/broad. I still can't see how this is a Necessary question? I also don't see how E could work. the consumer should choose "the least" powerful product that meets his/her needs? FreezAll may not be the least powerful product no?

Thank you in advance!

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

This is indeed a principle question, but there are many flavors of principle questions. Some ask you support an argument with a principle. Some ask you for a principle illustrated by the argument. Others ask you to conform to a principle.

In this case, we have an argument in the stimulus and we're looking for a principle to which the argument conforms. The right answer will be an assumption that connects the evidence with the conclusion, but shouldn't be stronger than is needed by the argument (a la Necessary Assumption).

Salesman advises the landlord to buy the less powerful of two identically priced air-conditioning units. Why? Well the less powerful air-conditioning unit is powerful enough for the landlord's needs.

Answer choice (E) connects the recommendation to buy the less powerful air-conditioning unit with the needs of the landlord.

Incorrect Answers
(A) lands at the wrong outcome. The less powerful air-conditioning unit should have been recommended.
(B) includes the stipulation that the less powerful unit be lower in price—which isn't the case.
(C) goes against the salesperson's recommendation, since this would have the landlord purchase the more powerful air-conditioning unit, which represents a better value.
(D) is out of scope. We aren't told what the salesperson's commission would be.

[CalPoliScience2016]

Does anyone else think this question stem is poorly worded? I read it as the principle for the salesperson's reasoning. Apparently LSAC wanted us to interpret this question stem as the principle that the landlord should follow. I incorrectly chose C because I was looking for a principle that focused on the salesperson.

I also presumed that value = price x powerful enough for your needs.

[jennifer.lei18]

@CalPoliScience2016
I agree with you as the reason that I chose C was exactly the same as yours...I thought the principle should be based on salesperson as I felt that the argument mainly focuses on the salesperson but not the buyer.... so the principle better talk about the salesperson... do not fully understand the correct answer

[jennifer.lei18]

Does anyone else think this question stem is poorly worded? I read it as the principle for the salesperson's reasoning. Apparently LSAC wanted us to interpret this question stem as the principle that the landlord should follow. I incorrectly chose C because I was looking for a principle that focused on the salesperson.

I also presumed that value = price x powerful enough for your needs.

I agree with you as the reason that I chose C was exactly the same as yours...I thought the principle should be based on salesperson as I felt that the argument mainly focuses on the salesperson but not the buyer.... so the principle better talk about the salesperson... do not fully understand the correct answer

[RoyE664]

Does anyone else think this question stem is poorly worded? I read it as the principle for the salesperson's reasoning. Apparently LSAC wanted us to interpret this question stem as the principle that the landlord should follow. I incorrectly chose C because I was looking for a principle that focused on the salesperson.

I also presumed that value = price x powerful enough for your needs.

I actually got this one right, but had the same issue with the question as you did while I was taking the PT and invested too much time doing mental gymnastics over that exact issue. I eliminated choices A, B, and D for the reasons above, but then grinded on C and E. Eventually, the language of "the product that represents the most value" was just too much to be true and had to be eliminated.

IMO, if I use the definition provided above for value, the two units are equal in cost. I think another reasonable definition of value would be amount of cooling / price. In this case, the more powerful unit would be the better value. Either way, C is out.

In review, I can somewhat come to terms with E because I can envision a salesperson thinking the AC in E and then making his/her recommendation based on that principle.