A new form of digital memory stores larger amounts of information than

The question doesn't really make sense -- it means to talk about storage, not about "memory", and compression is done by algorithm. It has nothing to do with the "form of memory" one uses; you can store a compressed file on any kind of hard drive or storage medium.

The question also perhaps requires some knowledge of how data compression works, which makes it unfair, because GMAT questions do not rely on outside knowledge. In real life, some data compression is "lossless", meaning the file is reduced in size, but the original can be restored exactly. "Lossy" compression (like mp3 audio compression) on the other hand permanently erases information that the compression algorithm decides is unimportant, to reduce file size, and a file compressed that way cannot be perfectly restored to its original version. When the question stem says this compression algorithm compresses some files "to lower quality levels", it means to describe lossy compression, where information is permanently eliminated and cannot be recovered. But I don't know how a reader unfamiliar with data compression could guess that's the meaning of "lower quality levels" here.

Anyway, understanding the question that way, we need to know if there will be a market for a compression algorithm that permanently degrades rarely-used files. And I think that's what answer D is getting at; it isn't worded correctly, but I'm guessing it's trying to say that some rarely-accessed files are crucial to business, so if a compression algorithm degrades the information in those files, a company might lose something crucially important. The problem with D is that it doesn't quite say that's what happens: it says 90% of files are never retrieved (in which case no one should care if the information is degraded), and answer D says nothing about how often the "crucial" files are accessed (answer D also has an SC problem; it says the "issues" are "crucial to business", when it means to say that the information in the files is "crucial"). But since the question is so imprecise throughout, my bet is that D means to say most files are almost never accessed, but are still critical to business when they are needed. If that's true, this data compression algorithm will not be acceptable to businesses, making D the right answer.

As for the other answers: answer A merely describes what some compression algorithms do, and doesn't even talk about the algorithm in the stem, so it's irrelevant. Answer B suggests businesses will be more interested than individuals, but as long as someone is interested in the product, it will sell, so that's not the right answer. Answer C is not written in English, but it just describes how some products are priced, and tells us nothing about how well this product will sell. And we know storage is "always in demand" as a premise, so that should be true even when a storage system is incompatible with older technology, and E shouldn't be right (though it's the second-best answer to my reading). But this is neither a well-written nor a well-conceived question, and as always, I'd advise test takers to focus exclusively on official questions for Verbal practice, because they'll always be precisely worded and logically airtight. Prep company Verbal questions rarely are.

A new form of digital memory stores larger amounts of information than current forms by compressing graphic, audio, and video files according to how often they are used, as calculated by an algorithm. Files that are not used often at all are compressed to lower quality levels than those that are used frequently, making the capacity of the new memory system almost three times larger than that of existing memory systems. The company responsible for the new digital memory's creation plans to market it for business and personal use since a consumer poll reveals that in both cases extremely large capacities for storage are always in demand.

Which of the following, if true, casts the most doubt regarding the effectiveness of the company's plan?


A. The compression of all types of digital files can be executed in a sophisticated manner so that the compressed result has not been distorted in a way that will render it undesirable or ineffective for further use.

Incorrect.

To solve this Conclusion Weakening question, first break down the argument. The first two sentences are premises which provide factual data. The last sentence includes an additional premise (a consumer poll reveals) and the company's plan, the argument's conclusion:

Premise A: a new kind of digital memory compresses data according to how often it is used
+
Premise B: files that are not used very often are compressed and slightly lose their quality, but the storage offered is 3 times bigger
+
Premise C: large digital storage is in demand for both commercial and personal use
=
Company's Plan: market the memory to businesses and individuals

Possible assumption: the method of compression of the new memory is suitable for both markets

Weakening Data: ?

You are required to find data that weakens the conclusion that the company should market its new product to commercial and personal consumers. The correct answer could be one that exposes the argument's assumption.

This answer choice supports the company's plan. It does so by supporting the process of digital compression in general, and stating that compressed files are still usable.


B. In a recent survey it was noted that the storage and management of digital information in products receives more attention by users looking for solutions for commercial applications than for personal applications.

Incorrect.

This answer choice neither weakens nor supports the company's plan. The last premise already tells us that digital storage is very important to both businesses and individuals. Therefore, the fact that to business it is more important is insignificant.


C. Most products that rely on digital memory to function are priced relative to the capacity of the storage provided by that memory although in some cases products are sold separately to memory components allowing the consumer to then choose from a variety of storage sizes.

Incorrect.

This answer choice neither weakens nor supports the company's plan. This statement gives us a description of the relationship between digital memory and prices, and tells us how products using this memory are sold. However, this description doesn't relate directly to the new memory system.


D. Almost 90% of the vast number of files stored by businesses are never retrieved and are stored at a high cost, but when a specific file is needed, it may contain information relevant to current issues that may be crucial to the business.

This answer choice weakens the company's plan. If a company at some point needs a file for a crucial issue, then the fact that that file may be of a lower quality could render it useless. Even though many files stored by companies are hardly ever touched, this answer choice states that they may be as important as files that are used regularly.


E. Memory systems are likely to be incompatible with a digital product that was developed before their release since the compatibility of digital products is limited and tends, therefore, to be focused on integration with memory systems released at the same time.

Incorrect.

To solve this Conclusion Weakening question, first break down the argument. The first two sentences are premises which provide factual data. The last sentence includes an additional premise (a consumer poll reveals) and the company's plan, the argument's conclusion:

Premise A: a new kind of digital memory compresses data according to how often it is used
+
Premise B: files that are not used very often are compressed and slightly lose their quality, but the storage offered is 3 times bigger
+
Premise C: large digital storage is in demand for both commercial and personal use
=
Company's Plan: market the memory to businesses and individuals

Possible assumption: the method of compression of the new memory is suitable for both markets

Weakening Data: ?

You are required to find data that weakens the conclusion that the company should market its new product to commercial and personal consumers. The correct answer could be one that exposes the argument's assumption.

This answer choice neither weakens nor supports the plan put forward by the company. This statement tells us that if a memory system is older than a certain product, then it will not be able to be used by that product. This fact has no influence on the company's plan.

I will try and give it a shot!
So D gives you a flaw as to why would this new tech not work but E gives you a info which will neither strengthen nor weaken the argument. There can be numerous new age products compatible with this new tech which will weaken the plan but on the other hand it can also be that there are several old age products which makes the plan successful. So there you D is a better weakener than E

I choose B too and I was wondering why the correct answer was B after going through your post. It help me understand the question in another perspective.

IMO storage is an important part of the digital memory advertisement and it is capable of achieving 3 times the storage capacity of other memory because it compressed unused files and store it in low quality. Users will expect that whatever file they store on the memory, they should be able to retrieve any time they need it.

Option D says Almost 90% of the vast number of files stored by businesses are never retrieved and are stored at a high cost, but when a specific file is needed, it may contain information relevant to current issues that may be crucial to the business. " BUSINESSES WILL NOT RISK LOSING THEIR FILES SO THEY ARE UNLIKELY TO PURCHASE THE MEMORY WHICH WILL CUT INTO THE COMPANY SALES.

I hope that help a bit

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