Logical Reasoning

PT130 · S1 · Q8 Working residents of Springfield

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Working residents of Springfield live, on average, farther from their workplaces than do working residents of Rorchester.

Apparent Paradox

Working residents of Springfield live, on average, farther from their workplaces than do working residents of Rorchester.

Thus, one would expect that the demand for public transportation would be greater in Springfield than in Rorchester.

However, Springfield has only half as many bus routes as Rorchester.

Evaluate

Buses are only one form of public transportation. Anything that would provide an alternative form of public transportation in Springfield would explain the unexpectedly low number of bus routes in Springfield. In fact, anything that reduces the need for transportation in Springfield would help explain the low number of bus routes.

8.

Each of the following, if true, contributes to a resolution of the apparent discrepancy described above EXCEPT:

  1. Three-fourths of the Springfield workforce

    Possible Explanation

    This reduces the need to for number of bus routes, because everyone is going to the same place.

    3% picked this

  2. The average number of cars

    Possible Explanation

    This reduces the need for public transportation overall in Springfield.

    3% picked this

  3. Rorchester has fewer railway lines

    Possible Explanation

    This provides another form of public transportation, thereby reducing Springfield's need for buses.

    8% picked this

  4. Buses in Springfield run more

    Possible Explanation

    This reduces the need for the number of bus routes, because the bus routes they do have run more frequently and cover more of the city.

    3% picked this

  5. Correct

    Springfield has a larger population

    Why this is right

    This deepens the apparent paradox because this would increase the expected demand of public transportation in Springfield.

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

    84% picked this

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