Logical Reasoning

PT111 · S3 · Q4 For the next year, the Chefs’ Union

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For the next year, the Chefs’ Union has requested a 10 percent salary increase for each of its members, whereas the Hotel Managers’ Union has requested only an 8 percent salary increase for each of its members.

Conclusion (these facts demonstrate)

The average dollar amount of the raises that the Chefs' Union has requested for next year is greater than that of the raises requested by the Hotel Managers' Union.

Evidence

For next year, the Chefs' Union has requested a 10% increases while the Hotel Managers' Union requested an 8% salary increase.

Evaluate

This is testing our understanding of the difference between % and #.

We know that the Chefs requested a bigger percent increase (10% vs. 8%), but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a greater dollar amount increase.

After all, 8% of $100 is more than 10% of $50.

Say that the average salary for Chefs in the union is $50k / year. If they're asking for a 10% salary increase, then they're asking for a $5,000 raise.

Meanwhile, maybe the Hotel Managers currently make $100k / year. If they're asking for an 8% salary increase, then they're asking for a $8,000 raise.

Goal

Since the author's conclusion can be refuted if the Managers' salary is a good bit higher than the Chef's salary, to strengthen this argument we need to rule out that possibility.

Look for an answer saying that the Chefs and Managers make about the same salary, or that the Chefs currently make a bigger salary.

Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?

The Chefs’ Union has many
No Impact
The number of members in each union doesn't have any effect on this conversation, because we're talking about an average dollar amount raise. We only care whether the average chef salary is higher than / lower than / similar to the average manager salary.
6% picked this
The Chefs’ Union is a
No Impact
The likelihood of getting the salary request granted doesn't have any effect on this conversation, because we're only talking about which union has requested a greater raise. This answer would only matter if the conclusion were something like, "The average dollar amount of the raises that the Chefs' Union will receive will be greater than that of the Managers' Union.
3% picked this
Correct
The current salaries of the
Why this is right
This is what we were looking for. We don't know if a 10% raise is a larger dollar amount than an 8% raise because it depends on how big a number we're taking 10% or 8% of. 10% of a smaller number could be less than 8% of a bigger number. But, this answer tells us that the Chefs' current salary is bigger than the Managers' current salary. Is 10% of a bigger number more than 8% of a smaller number? Of course, in all cases. So this answer basically proves the conclusion is true (which is not necessary for a correct Strengthen answer, but we'll take it!)
Skill tested: Strengthen · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.
78% picked this
The average dollar amount of
No Impact
The average dollar amount received last year doesn't have any effect on this conversation, because we're talking about the average dollar amount requested for next year.
8% picked this
The members of the Chefs’
No Impact
The average salary increases received the past two years don't have any effect on this conversation, because we're talking about the average dollar amount requested for next year.
5% picked this

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