62% of the registered voters in state W declared themselves : Critical Reasoning (CR)

gmatchase

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Re: Veritas Prep Confusing CR1 -62% of registered voters [#permalink]

27 Oct 2012, 13:27

Vips0000 wrote:

Found this and many similar problems in veritas prep CAT and have a serious doubt about OA provided.
Would request experts to take a look and suggest explanation:

62% of the registered voters in state W declared themselves Democrats. Despite this, for the past 3 elections, the citizens of state W have voted a Republican into the office as governor.

Which of the following if true,could best explain this apparent incongruity in the results of the past 3 elections in state W?

A) Approximately 78% of the rural residents of state W decalred themselves republicans, as compared with 38% of the urban residents. - This doesn't explain why Republican won
B) State elections consist of a primary election in which voters must vote for a candidate matching their declared party followed by a general election in which voters can vote for a candidate of any party. voters can vote any party. didn't explain why Republican won
C) Over the past 5 elections, the percentage of declared republicans who voted was significantly higher than the percentage of declared democrate who voted. Clearly said why Republican won
D) Voters must declare a party of preference more than thirty days before the state' primary election, and voters with no declared preference are ineligible to vote in the primary. This doesn't explain why Republican won
E) The state's last democratic governor was initially very popular but lost his bid for re-election after the state's economy suffered a severe recession. severe recession is out of scope and won't explain why Republican won

Between B & C, I choose C. My explanations are highlighted.

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Re: Veritas Prep Confusing CR1 -62% of registered voters [#permalink]

27 Oct 2012, 14:12

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I think its a great question
Tough one
Definitely C
what is bugging you Vips?
Let me know!

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Re: Veritas Prep Confusing CR1 -62% of registered voters [#permalink]

27 Oct 2012, 21:17

souvik101990 wrote:

I think its a great question
Tough one
Definitely C
what is bugging you Vips?
Let me know!

Thanks Souvik. If you focus on word play in option C, it talks about 'percentage' not the 'number'. eg. 90% of 100 is lesser than 80% of 200. Therefore C can not be the answer, it leaves gap.
You take?

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Re: Veritas Prep Confusing CR1 -62% of registered voters [#permalink]

27 Oct 2012, 21:27

gmatchase wrote:

Vips0000 wrote:

Found this and many similar problems in veritas prep CAT and have a serious doubt about OA provided.
Would request experts to take a look and suggest explanation:

62% of the registered voters in state W declared themselves Democrats. Despite this, for the past 3 elections, the citizens of state W have voted a Republican into the office as governor.

Which of the following if true,could best explain this apparent incongruity in the results of the past 3 elections in state W?

A) Approximately 78% of the rural residents of state W decalred themselves republicans, as compared with 38% of the urban residents. - This doesn't explain why Republican won
B) State elections consist of a primary election in which voters must vote for a candidate matching their declared party followed by a general election in which voters can vote for a candidate of any party. voters can vote any party. didn't explain why Republican won
C) Over the past 5 elections, the percentage of declared republicans who voted was significantly higher than the percentage of declared democrate who voted. Clearly said why Republican won
D) Voters must declare a party of preference more than thirty days before the state' primary election, and voters with no declared preference are ineligible to vote in the primary. This doesn't explain why Republican won
E) The state's last democratic governor was initially very popular but lost his bid for re-election after the state's economy suffered a severe recession. severe recession is out of scope and won't explain why Republican won

Between B & C, I choose C. My explanations are highlighted.

ngould wrote:

I am no expert, but I think that I understand the question.

If there are more Democrats than Republicans in state W, then the only way for a Republican to win the election is for a greater percentage of Republicans to vote than Democrats. You must remember that not all voters cast a vote in an election.

Here is another way to look at it. Say there are only 100 people in state W, 62 Democrats (for 62 percent) and 38 Republicans. So if the voter turnout for the Republican party was 100 percent (all 38 voters voted) and the voter turnout for the Democrats was 50 percent (only 31 Democrats voted), the Republican party would win the election. Remember that is says in choice C that the percentage of declared Republicans who voted was significantly higher than the percentage of declared Democrats who voted.

Choice C appears to be the correct answer.

I hope that you are able to follow my logic and that this is helpful.

Gmatchase and ngould,
If the option said number instead of percentage, it would have been correct in my opinion.
The same example that ngould gave, 100% of 38 is 38, and 80% of 62 is greater than 38. Here, even if percentage of republican is higher total number of votes wouldnt be. Clearly C is not enough evidence to fill the gap.

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Re: Veritas Prep Confusing CR1 -62% of registered voters [#permalink]

28 Oct 2012, 19:37

Vips0000 wrote:

Gmatchase and ngould,
If the option said number instead of percentage, it would have been correct in my opinion.
The same example that ngould gave, 100% of 38 is 38, and 80% of 62 is greater than 38. Here, even if percentage of republican is higher total number of votes wouldnt be. Clearly C is not enough evidence to fill the gap.

I see what you are saying.

Hmm..... would you pick any other choice? If not, we can say C is best of the worst?

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Re: Veritas Prep Confusing CR1 -62% of registered voters [#permalink]

28 Oct 2012, 21:46

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gmatchase wrote:

Vips0000 wrote:

Gmatchase and ngould,
If the option said number instead of percentage, it would have been correct in my opinion.
The same example that ngould gave, 100% of 38 is 38, and 80% of 62 is greater than 38. Here, even if percentage of republican is higher total number of votes wouldnt be. Clearly C is not enough evidence to fill the gap.

I see what you are saying.

Hmm..... would you pick any other choice? If not, we can say C is best of the worst?

Not really :D
if we chose best among worst. B also stands as a contender.

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Re: Veritas Prep Confusing CR1 -62% of registered voters [#permalink]

28 Oct 2012, 22:15

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Vips0000 wrote:

souvik101990 wrote:

I think its a great question
Tough one
Definitely C
what is bugging you Vips?
Let me know!

Thanks Souvik. If you focus on word play in option C, it talks about 'percentage' not the 'number'. eg. 90% of 100 is lesser than 80% of 200. Therefore C can not be the answer, it leaves gap.
You take?

hey - the question says "62% of the registered voters in state W declared themselves Democrats" so the base doesn't change. That the problem in your statement above.

so 62% OF ALL REGISTERED VOTERS declared themselves Democrats
38 % OF ALL REGISTERED VOTERS declared themselves R

Per C, Over the past 5 elections, the percentage of declared republicans who voted was significantly higher than the percentage of declared democrate who voted.

Now if only 10 % of the declared Democrats voted and 20% of the declared R voted then Republican would be running office...

Cheers

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Re: Veritas Prep Confusing CR1 -62% of registered voters [#permalink]

29 Oct 2012, 00:46

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Jp27 wrote:

Vips0000 wrote:

souvik101990 wrote:

I think its a great question
Tough one
Definitely C
what is bugging you Vips?
Let me know!

Thanks Souvik. If you focus on word play in option C, it talks about 'percentage' not the 'number'. eg. 90% of 100 is lesser than 80% of 200. Therefore C can not be the answer, it leaves gap.
You take?

hey - the question says "62% of the registered voters in state W declared themselves Democrats" so the base doesn't change. That the problem in your statement above.

so 62% OF ALL REGISTERED VOTERS declared themselves Democrats
38 % OF ALL REGISTERED VOTERS declared themselves R

Per C, Over the past 5 elections, the percentage of declared republicans who voted was significantly higher than the percentage of declared democrate who voted.

Now if only 10 % of the declared Democrats voted and 20% of the declared R voted then Republican would be running office...

Cheers

This is half cooked analysis.

consider one example: total voters are 100. Democrats =62 and Republican =38
Note:100 number is chosen for simplicty and numbers below are approximates (rounded up to next integer)

Now if 10% of democrate vote = around 6
if 20% of republican vote = around 8.
Republican win

But if
100% republican vote = 38 vote
only 70% of democrate vote = 44 vote
Democrate win

How is it sufficient?

Jp27

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Re: Veritas Prep Confusing CR1 -62% of registered voters [#permalink]

29 Oct 2012, 06:35

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Vips0000 wrote:

This is half cooked analysis.

consider one example: total voters are 100. Democrats =62 and Republican =38
Note:100 number is chosen for simplicty and numbers below are approximates (rounded up to next integer)

Now if 10% of democrate vote = around 6
if 20% of republican vote = around 8.
Republican win

But if
100% republican vote = 38 vote
only 70% of democrate vote = 44 vote
Democrate win

How is it sufficient?

In explain the Discrepancy CR we are asked to select an answer that can show us how the 2 situation can / could be true... we are NOT asked to prove the statements....

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Re: Veritas Prep Confusing CR1 -62% of registered voters [#permalink]

29 Oct 2012, 07:58

Jp27 wrote:

Vips0000 wrote:

This is half cooked analysis.

consider one example: total voters are 100. Democrats =62 and Republican =38
Note:100 number is chosen for simplicty and numbers below are approximates (rounded up to next integer)

Now if 10% of democrate vote = around 6
if 20% of republican vote = around 8.
Republican win

But if
100% republican vote = 38 vote
only 70% of democrate vote = 44 vote
Democrate win

How is it sufficient?

In explain the Discrepancy CR we are asked to select an answer that can show us how the 2 situation can / could be true... we are NOT asked to prove the statements....

Vips, Lets not confuse CR with DS

.
When asked to resolve a paradox, all you need to find a possible explanation of the discrepancy, without negating any of the two contradictory facts.
You have shown a case where C being(cudnt use a better word

) true perfectly bridges the gap b/w two contradictions.
Hope that helps, if it does...kudos pls..! :-D

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Re: Veritas Prep Confusing CR1 -62% of registered voters [#permalink]

29 Oct 2012, 08:59

hermit84 wrote:

Jp27 wrote:

Vips0000 wrote:

This is half cooked analysis.

consider one example: total voters are 100. Democrats =62 and Republican =38
Note:100 number is chosen for simplicty and numbers below are approximates (rounded up to next integer)

Now if 10% of democrate vote = around 6
if 20% of republican vote = around 8.
Republican win

But if
100% republican vote = 38 vote
only 70% of democrate vote = 44 vote
Democrate win

How is it sufficient?

In explain the Discrepancy CR we are asked to select an answer that can show us how the 2 situation can / could be true... we are NOT asked to prove the statements....

Vips, Lets not confuse CR with DS

.
When asked to resolve a paradox, all you need to find a possible explanation of the discrepancy, without negating any of the two contradictory facts.
You have shown a case where C being(cudnt use a better word

) true perfectly bridges the gap b/w two contradictions.
Hope that helps, if it does...kudos pls..! :-D

sorry hermit, but not satisfactory. its not about DS, but in critital reasoning if a reason has loopholes (as shown with one example) its not a good enough reason and doesnt help to bridge the gap. I'll forward this question to veritas prep and would check with them..

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Re: Veritas Prep Confusing CR1 -62% of registered voters [#permalink]

29 Oct 2012, 09:11

Vips0000 wrote:

hermit84 wrote:

Jp27 wrote:

[
In explain the Discrepancy CR we are asked to select an answer that can show us how the 2 situation can / could be true... we are NOT asked to prove the statements....

Vips, Lets not confuse CR with DS

.
When asked to resolve a paradox, all you need to find a possible explanation of the discrepancy, without negating any of the two contradictory facts.
You have shown a case where C being(cudnt use a better word

) true perfectly bridges the gap b/w two contradictions.
Hope that helps, if it does...kudos pls..! :-D

sorry hermit, but not satisfactory. its not about DS, but in critital reasoning if a reason has loopholes (as shown with one example) its not a good enough reason and doesnt help to bridge the gap. I'll forward this question to veritas prep and would check with them..

Do that buddy.. and let me know what you get to hear back from them..!

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Re: Veritas Prep Confusing CR1 -62% of registered voters [#permalink]

18 Nov 2012, 09:17

Quote:

sorry hermit, but not satisfactory. its not about DS, but in critital reasoning if a reason has loopholes (as shown with one example) its not a good enough reason and doesnt help to bridge the gap. I'll forward this question to veritas prep and would check with them..

Agreed ! However, we must also choose the best OPTION available to us? The four remaining answers are less likely to be correct as compared to C...Even if their is a theoretical possibility that C might not be incorrect. The Official GMAT questions would probably not have such a vague answer choice, as the Test makers make it a priority to create answer choices where the CORRECT answer is UN DISPUTABLE (or as un disputable as possible) ..

Quote:

I think its a great question
Tough one
Definitely C
what is bugging you Vips?
Let me know!

As Vips has pointed out, There is a huge QUESTION MARK on C, and it would be safe to call this answer choice DISPUTABLE .. Even if it is the best choice of the LOT..I would call it a rather Poor question given that in the entire OG13 and 12 i am yet to come across a question that has an OA that is this debatable. As a Logic question it might a good an excellent question but i doubt that it is a realistic GMAT question from my experience with the OG and other official GMAT questions..

L

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Re: Veritas Prep Confusing CR1 -62% of registered voters [#permalink]

19 Nov 2012, 04:53

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Expert Reply

Vips0000 wrote:

sorry hermit, but not satisfactory. its not about DS, but in critital reasoning if a reason has loopholes (as shown with one example) its not a good enough reason and doesnt help to bridge the gap. I'll forward this question to veritas prep and would check with them..

Check this link to understand what I mean by 'you can provide more data to turn an option your way'. You have to focus on what CAN provide you an explanation.

the-rate-of-violent-crime-in-this-state-is-up-35-percent-141548.html#p1145280

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Re: Found this and many similar problems in veritas prep CAT and [#permalink]

26 Nov 2012, 04:29

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I agree with Karishma on this. With paradox questions we have to provide an answer choice that IF TAKEN TO BE TRUE, helps to resolve the paradox, therefore any answer choice that if true helps to resolve the paradox (but needent totally obliterate any doubt which may still remain) is VALID. Just like STRENGHTEN and JUSTIFY THE CONCLUSION questions, in the former we are only required to strenghten the argument by 1% (say) while in the latter category we must prove without all doubt that the correct answer choice JUSTIFIES the author's conclusion.

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Re: 62% of the registered voters in state W declared themselves [#permalink]

14 Nov 2013, 03:57

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Bumping for review and further discussion
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Theory on Paradox Questions

Source: Manhattan Gmat
https://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... screpancy/

Source: Magoosh
concept-article-on-cr-paradox-by-magoosh-163071.html

Source: gogmat
concept-article-on-resolve-paradox-from-gogmat-com-163081.html

Source: 800gmat
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Re: 62% of the registered voters in state W declared themselves [#permalink]

24 May 2015, 01:36

Great question guys. Please bump this thread up

gmatclubot

Re: 62% of the registered voters in state W declared themselves [#permalink]

24 May 2015, 01:36

GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

62% of the registered voters in state W declared themselves