General availability of high-quality electronic scanners -

[lindaliu9273]

I'm confused about the question: A questionable assumption of the plan is that....Is it asking an inverse direction(weaken) here?

[RonPurewal]

I'm confused about the question: A questionable assumption of the plan is that....Is it asking an inverse direction(weaken) here?

Any question about assumptions implies a "weakening" consideration. In fact, this "weakening" is even stronger than the type considered in typical strengthen/weaken questions!
Remember the principle of negating assumptions: If the assumption is false, then the argument is completely destroyed. Not just weakened, but rendered completely invalid.

Also, if an argument makes an assumption that happens to be rock-solid, then the question writers are not going to waste their (and your) time by pinpointing that assumption in a problem.
If an assumption question exists in the first place, it's always going to target an assumption that's questionable (= to which some objection might reasonably be raised).

[lindaliu9273]

I'm confused about the question: A questionable assumption of the plan is that....Is it asking an inverse direction(weaken) here?

Any question about assumptions implies a "weakening" consideration. In fact, this "weakening" is even stronger than the type considered in typical strengthen/weaken questions!
Remember the principle of negating assumptions: If the assumption is false, then the argument is completely destroyed. Not just weakened, but rendered completely invalid.

Also, if an argument makes an assumption that happens to be rock-solid, then the question writers are not going to waste their (and your) time by pinpointing that assumption in a problem.
If an assumption question exists in the first place, it's always going to target an assumption that's questionable (= to which some objection might reasonably be raised).

Thank you so much for your patient reply!

[tim]

:)

[RonPurewal]

.

[AdeleL27]

I'm confused about the question: A questionable assumption of the plan is that....Is it asking an inverse direction(weaken) here?

Any question about assumptions implies a "weakening" consideration. In fact, this "weakening" is even stronger than the type considered in typical strengthen/weaken questions!
Remember the principle of negating assumptions: If the assumption is false, then the argument is completely destroyed. Not just weakened, but rendered completely invalid.

Also, if an argument makes an assumption that happens to be rock-solid, then the question writers are not going to waste their (and your) time by pinpointing that assumption in a problem.
If an assumption question exists in the first place, it's always going to target an assumption that's questionable (= to which some objection might reasonably be raised).

Does it means I should still choose an assumption in this question? It just means that the word questionable assumption still means an assumption?

[RonPurewal]

if you're asked for an assumption, then you are ALWAYS seeking a 'questionable' assumption.
this is, after all, the point: you want to identify where this person's argument might go wrong. this is a sterling example of real-world critical thinking.

(an 'UNquestionable assumption', on the other hand, would simply be an axiom of common sense—and the resulting problem would be little more than a frivolous exercise in formal logic.)

[RonPurewal]

e.g.,
According to Google Maps, Place X is 5 hours away by car. It is now noon. Therefore, if I get in my car and leave now, I can get to Place X [which is in the same time zone] by 5 PM.

QUESTIONABLE assumptions include...
...There will not be more traffic than Google Maps predicts.
...I will not be delayed by weather.
...I will not be delayed by construction.
these represent real-world issues with the above argument.

assumptions THAT ARE NOT REASONABLY 'QUESTIONABLE' include...
...I know how to drive.
...The government will not change the official clock time during those 5 hours.
...Space aliens will not abduct me from the highway.
these are NOT real-world issues. they are non-concerns in the real world, since there is no REASONABLE way in which any of these things can go awry. (the context implies that i know how to drive, since otherwise it would be silly to discuss 'my car' and 'driving times'. as for the other two... well, no. imagine the looks people would give you if you were to raise these issues in a serious discussion about scheduling!)
so, hopefully, you see what i mean—these three are merely a frivolous exercise in formal logic, since no sane person needs to take them into account while evaluating the above argument.

[AdeleL27]

e.g.,
According to Google Maps, Place X is 5 hours away by car. It is now noon. Therefore, if I get in my car and leave now, I can get to Place X [which is in the same time zone] by 5 PM.

QUESTIONABLE assumptions include...
...There will not be more traffic than Google Maps predicts.
...I will not be delayed by weather.
...I will not be delayed by construction.
these represent real-world issues with the above argument.

assumptions THAT ARE NOT REASONABLY 'QUESTIONABLE' include...
...I know how to drive.
...The government will not change the official clock time during those 5 hours.
...Space aliens will not abduct me from the highway.
these are NOT real-world issues. they are non-concerns in the real world, since there is no REASONABLE way in which any of these things can go awry. (the context implies that i know how to drive, since otherwise it would be silly to discuss 'my car' and 'driving times'. as for the other two... well, no. imagine the looks people would give you if you were to raise these issues in a serious discussion about scheduling!)
so, hopefully, you see what i mean—these three are merely a frivolous exercise in formal logic, since no sane person needs to take them into account while evaluating the above argument.

Thanx. I think I have got your idea.

[RonPurewal]

you're welcome.

[CrystalSpringston]

if you're asked for an assumption, then you are ALWAYS seeking a 'questionable' assumption.
this is, after all, the point: you want to identify where this person's argument might go wrong. this is a sterling example of real-world critical thinking.

(an 'UNquestionable assumption', on the other hand, would simply be an axiom of common sense—and the resulting problem would be little more than a frivolous exercise in formal logic.)

Ron,
Could we understand it like this:
a 'questionable' assumption means:
Which of the following options need to be evaluated?
I feel comfortable with this way, but I am not sure if it is correct.

Thank you!

[RonPurewal]

my point is that 'questionable assumption' just means 'assumption'.

(if you are ASKED about an assumption, then it will ALWAYS be a 'questionable assumption'. otherwise the problem would just be a silly exercise in abstract/mathematical logic.)

[Carina0612]

Dear Instructors,

The question is ask for a questionable assumption.
As far as I learned from the Manhattan SC Guild, FA (i.e. find the assumption) type of question ask you to find a statement what the author must believe to be true. Since it is a "questionable assumption" here, so we have to find a statement what the author must believe to be wrong (or invalid).
Can I understand this way? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks!
Carina

[RonPurewal]

this problem is like any other "find the assumption" problem.

[SMITAP446]

Can you please explain how option E says that scanners won't get better it talks about the size only and not scanners