Logical Reasoning

PT111 · S3 · Q1 More and more computer programs

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More and more computer programs that provide solutions to mathematical problems in engineering are being produced, and it is thus increasingly unnecessary for practicing engineers to have a thorough understanding of fundamental mathematical principles.

Conclusion (consequently / should)

In training engineers to work in industry, less emphasis should be placed on mathematical principles, so that space in the engineering curriculum will be available for other important subjects.

Evidence

It's increasingly unnecessary for practicing engineers to have a thorough understanding of fundamental mathematical principles (since more and more computer programs are being produced that provide solutions to math problems in engineering).

Evaluate

Given that ... computer programs that can solve math problems are making it increasingly unnecessary for practicing engineers to have a thorough understanding of fundamental math

How can we argue that ... we should continue to place emphasis on math principles for engineers being trained to work in industry?

We might be able to say that, .

We could say,

Goal

It's hard to predict the content of the answer, but the function of the answer should be that it allows us to argue that we still want to be teaching math to these engineers in training.

1.

Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument given for the recommendation above?

  1. Correct

    The effective use of computer

    Why this is right

    This gives us a reason why we should still be teaching math to our engineers in training. Yes, there are computer programs that provide solutions to math problems in engineering, but, according to this answer, you wouldn't be able to use those programs effectively unless you were really good at math.

    Skill tested: Weaken · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    95% picked this

  2. Many of the computer programs

    Strengthens, if anything

    This definitely isn't offering us a reason why we should still be teaching math to our engineers in training. It's kind of just reiterating the premise that these computer programs not only exist but are also being used routinely.

    1% picked this

  3. Development of composites and other

    Strengthens

    This definitely isn't offering us a reason why we should still be teaching math to our engineers in training. It's actually strengthening the author's notion that we need to free up time (by doing less math teaching) so that engineers can learn the properties of these new composite materials.

    2% picked this

  4. Most of the computer programs

    Strengthens

    This definitely isn't offering us a reason why we should still be teaching math to our engineers in training. It's actually strengthening the case that the existing computer programs are available and usable. We could have weakened the argument by saying, "Yes, these computer programs exist, but most companies don't have access to them so we still need engineers to be able to solve the math problems on their own". But this answer goes in the opposite direction of that, so it strengthens.

    1% picked this

  5. The engineering curriculum already requires

    No Impact

    This isn't offering us a reason why we should still be teaching math to our engineers in training. We could maybe say it strengthens somewhat, since the author's vision is that the engineers in training won't learn much math, they'll just use these computer programs to solve the math for them. The fact that they are learning how to use computer programs makes that plan a little more likely to succeed.

    2% picked this

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