Q4

[aprilhu33]

I'm STILL confused with #4 and I think it might have to do with teh wording of the question. Here's my take on it:

J has to share with a girl, which means that J could be in whatever locker N or T is in (b/c r can't share a locker). If F is the third locker, then T or N can go in 1, 4; 1,5; 2, 4; 2,5; 1, 3; or 3, 5. However, if T or N is in 3, that means that J can't go in there with them since it'll be a locker with 3 people. Note that J MUST share a locker so it HAS to follow N or T unless N or T go in locker 3. If N and T can go in lockers 1, 2, 4, and 5, then so can J.

Which is why the answer of C) 3 is confusing b/c J can reasonably go in 4 different lockers. But if rachel is already placed, then J can only go in the lockers that N or T already have occupied, which leaves us with 2 different lockers that J can go in or answer B.

I think its an issue with the question's wording. Does the question want us to place Rachel first, then place J without placing N and T? If that's the case shouldn't it be more explicit?

[christine.defenbaugh]

This question has slightly unusual wording, but in essence it is still a conditional question. When approaching a conditional question, we have to be careful not to over infer, or enact conditionals not given by the question.

"Once Rachel has been assigned" is the entirety of the conditional. From the diagram, we know that R can be placed in locker 1, 2, 4, or 5. We need to find out what J's maximum option list is for lockers in any of these scenarios. All we know about Juan is that he must share a locker with either N or T. So he can never go in locker 3 with F, and he can't share with R.

Before R is placed, J can potentially go in 4 different lockers (1, 2, 4, 5). But once we nail R into a particular locker, whatever that particular locker is becomes off limits as well. If R is in 1, J cannot go in 1, etc. But if R is in 1, there's nothing to prevent J from being in locker 2, 4, or 5. Any of those are equally possible, so the maximum number of lockers J could be assigned to is 3. (C)



If you avoid placing R, then you aren't fulfilling the conditional, which specified "once Rachel has been assigned". But if you place N and T, then you are playing out a situation that isn't required by the question. Place R first, then see where J can go at that point without specifically placing N and T.

Please let me know if this answers your question!