gmatee wrote:
In Patton City, days are categorized as having heavy rainfall (more than two inches), moderate rainfall (more than one inch, but no more than two inches), light rainfall (at least a trace, but no more than one inch), or no rainfall. In 1990, there were fewer days with light rainfall than in 1910 and fewer with moderate rainfall, yet total rainfall for the year was 20 percent higher in 1990 than in 1910.
If the statements above are true, then it is also possible that in Patton City
A. the number of days with heavy rainfall was lower in 1990 than in 1910
B. the number of days with some rainfall, but no more than two inches, was the same in 1990 as in 1910
C. the number of days with some rainfall, but no more than two inches, was higher in 1990 than in 1910
D. the total number of inches of rain that fell on days with moderate rainfall in 1990 was more than twice what it had been in 1910
E. the average amount of rainfall per month was lower in 1990 than in 1910
Man, after re-checking this, I found out that this is such a top tricky question
We fell into the trap of illusion as if 1990's number of days with heavy rainfalls were lower than 1910's, 1990's heavy rainfall (total inches) <1910's, thus rapidly neglecting (A). However, because heavy rainfalls is >2 inches, so there's also possibility that 1990's heavy rains days<1910's, but 1990's heavy rainfalls>1910's
for exp: [b]5 heavy rainfalls days in 1990 (each day 10 inches) have total inches of heavy rainfall greater than that of 10 heavy rainfall days in 1910 (each day 3 inches) ~ 50>30
looking back at the other choices:
(B): counterfact
(C): counterfact
(D): a simplest exp: 1990 has 1 day of moderate rainfall (1,9 inches) while 1910 has 2 days of moderate rainfall (1,1 inches each) --> 1,9 <2,2 --> this possibility is impossible in the simplest case, hence so is it in other more complex cases -->wrong
(E): wrong
So, A is best. POE is always a risk way of choosing incorrect choice, on the expense of risk of time