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SergejK
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However, it doesn't make sense to use the levers C and R to power the machine off, so powering on must be the correct choice. Why not tho?
SergejK
Just look at the combinations of the levers and you will see that C and R are always in the same position, so one of the statements must be "Placing the C and R levers in the same position". If you realize that, look at the statement that you have to consider: "The one and only means of X is Y". A means of something is either the reason why something is done or the way that something can be done. Here, the way something is done makes sense as the statement seems to present an instruction on how to operate the machine. So what could be the means? Looking at the other answer choices only "Powering on the machine" and "Powering off the machine" make sense. However, it doesn't make sense to use the levers C and R to power the machine off, so powering on must be the correct choice.

X: The only means of turning the machine ON
Y: is using C and R levers
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Read the prompt: "The machine is able to operate if and only if the operator has placed them in one of the following four configurations". So those combinations are meant to turn the machine on and not off.

Simransahni03
However, it doesn't make sense to use the levers C and R to power the machine off, so powering on must be the correct choice. Why not tho?
SergejK
Just look at the combinations of the levers and you will see that C and R are always in the same position, so one of the statements must be "Placing the C and R levers in the same position". If you realize that, look at the statement that you have to consider: "The one and only means of X is Y". A means of something is either the reason why something is done or the way that something can be done. Here, the way something is done makes sense as the statement seems to present an instruction on how to operate the machine. So what could be the means? Looking at the other answer choices only "Powering on the machine" and "Powering off the machine" make sense. However, it doesn't make sense to use the levers C and R to power the machine off, so powering on must be the correct choice.

X: The only means of turning the machine ON
Y: is using C and R levers
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Hey, have a doubt in statement 1. Why can't it be powering off machine?
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Hey, I agree, should work as well for powering off no ?
aakarsh1001
Hey, have a doubt in statement 1. Why can't it be powering off machine?
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SergejK
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"The machine is able TO OPERATE if AND ONLY if the operator has placed them in one of the following four configurations"

We are looking for ways to turn on the machine, that is why it is stated that the following lever positions are there to operate the machine. operate=turn on. Turning off the machine would not allow you to operate it.
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I have a question here, the machine can be "on" and be inoperable right? So how can we conclude that the machine would turn on by these actions? It could already be on and

inoperable?
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this is just a simple reading comprehension task. "The machine is able TO OPERATE if AND ONLY if ..." means that the following will provide the instruction to turn the machine ON. To operate means that the machine will be fulfilling its duty. You bring in an additional assumption that you can nowhere infer. You are overthinking it a bit.
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