A number of measures indicate the viability of a nation’s economy. The

Question

A number of measures indicate the viability of a nation’s economy. The level and rate of growth of aggregate output are the most significant indicators, but unemployment and inflation rates are also important. Further, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Ireland, Denmark, and Finland all have viable economics, but none has a very large population. Switzerland and Austria each have populations of about seven million; the other populations are at least one-fourth smaller.

Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the information above?

(A) A nation’s economic viability is independent of the size of its population.
(B) Having a population larger than seven million ensures that a nation will be economically viable.
(C) Economic viability does not require a population of at least seven million.
(D) A nation’s population is the most significant contributor to the level and rate of growth of aggregate output.
(E) A nation’s population affects the level and rate of growth of aggregate output more than it affects unemployment and inflation rates.

WIKI18 · Accepted Answer

A states that economic viability is independent of the size of the population. The size of the population can be small or large. In the question stem, we are given information ONLY about smaller populations, and therefore, cannot reach conclusions about larger populations.

C reaches a conclusion on the basis of information provided, which is why it is a much better option than A.

Cheers.

Ansuman493 · Answer

A number of measures indicate the viability of a nation???s economy. The level and rate of growth of aggregate output are the most significant indicators, but unemployment and inflation rates are also important. Further, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Ireland, Denmark, and Finland all have viable economics, but none has a very large population. Switzerland and Austria each have populations of about seven million; the other populations are at least one-fourth smaller.

Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the information above?

(A) A nation???s economic viability is independent of the size of its population.
(B) Having a population larger than seven million ensures that a nation will be economically viable.
(C) Economic viability does not require a population of at least seven million.
(D) A nation???s population is the most significant contributor to the level and rate of growth of aggregate output.
(E) A nation???s population affects the level and rate of growth of aggregate output more than it affects unemployment and inflation rates. 
 IS THE OA A??

vaibhav1221 · Answer

I think it should be C. The last line -  Switzerland and Austria each have populations of about seven million; the other populations are at least one-fourth smaller.  - supports option C.

ballest127 · Answer

Although i choose C , I still do not know why A is incorrect?

Expert please shed the light on this question.

Thank you.

GMATMBA5 · Answer

Why C weighs more than A is explained very nicely at below link.

https://www.manhattanprep.com/lsat/forums/q16-a-number-of-measures-indicate-t5804.html

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 Kudos if helpful!

KanishkM · Answer

Out of A and C,Lets see which one wins

(B) Having a population larger than seven million ensures that a nation will be economically viable.
Nowhere this is mentioned.

(D) A nation’s population is the most significant contributor to the level and rate of growth of aggregate output.
Population is not at all given as a reason for any aggregation.

(E) A nation’s population affects the level and rate of growth of aggregate output more than it affects unemployment and inflation rates.
Population is not at all given as a reason for any aggregation.

(A) A nation’s economic viability is independent of the size of its population.
IMO, this is a very strong claim.
Nowhere in the argument they are saying that it is independent or even dependent on the population.

(C) Economic viability does not require a population of at least seven million.
This actually is is sync with the last line of the argument
Further, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Ireland, Denmark, and Finland all have viable economics, but none has a very large population. Switzerland and Austria each have populations of  about seven million ; the other populations are  at least one-fourth smaller. .

So we can infer that from those lines.

sups3906 · Answer

A is too extreme. It may happen that some low cutoff of population is required (let's say 2mn, which every mentioned country satisfies) to be economically viable.

manishcmu · Answer

A good way to eliminate A is to remember that if you don't see a relationship between two things in the stimulus, you can't comment on the relationship. So below two statements cannot be inferred:
1.A nation’s economic viability is  independent of  the size of its population.
2.A nation’s economic viability is  dependent on  the size of its population.

udaypratapsingh99 · Answer

TAKE ON FROM THE STATEMENT: 1) Population may contribute, but it is not most important factor.}
2) Nations with Population of 7B or less can be viable. No Info about more

(A) A nation’s economic viability is independent of the size of its population.((cant be inferred.))
(B) Having a population larger than seven million ensures that a nation will be economically viable.((None viable nations are mentioned with 7B+ population))
(C) Economic viability does not require a population of at least seven million.((Yes, as last line suggests))
(D) A nation’s population is the most significant contributor to the level and rate of growth of aggregate output.((No, as mentioned. it is level and rate of growth of aggregate output))
(E) A nation’s population affects the level and rate of growth of aggregate output more than it affects unemployment and inflation rates. ((cant be inferred))

So the correct answer is C

sssanskaar · Answer

A straightforward question in which the correct option can be directly inferred from the last line of the argument.

A_Nishith · Answer

To determine which option is most strongly supported by the information provided, let's analyze each statement in light of the information given:

A. Key Indicators of Economic Viability: 
1) Level and rate of growth of aggregate output
2) Unemployment rates
3) Inflation rates

B. Countries with Viable Economies and Their Populations:
 1) Switzerland and Austria: about seven million each
2) Israel, Ireland, Denmark, and Finland: at least one-fourth smaller than seven million (i.e., fewer than 5.25 million)

Analysis of Each Option: 
(A) A nation’s economic viability is independent of the size of its population.

This statement suggests that the size of a population does not determine economic viability. While the passage indicates that small nations (like those mentioned) have viable economies, it does not definitively state that population size has no effect at all. The information implies that small populations can have viable economies, but it does not confirm that population size is entirely irrelevant.

(B) Having a population larger than seven million ensures that a nation will be economically viable.

The passage does not provide any information about nations with populations larger than seven million. Therefore, it is not supported by the provided information.

(C) Economic viability does not require a population of at least seven million.

This statement is supported by the information given. The passage mentions that nations with smaller populations (such as Israel, Ireland, Denmark, and Finland) have viable economies. Therefore, having a population of at least seven million is not a requirement for economic viability.

(D) A nation’s population is the most significant contributor to the level and rate of growth of aggregate output.

The passage states that the level and rate of growth of aggregate output are the most significant indicators of economic viability, but it does not mention that population size is the most significant contributor to this growth. Hence, this option is not supported by the information provided.

(E) A nation’s population affects the level and rate of growth of aggregate output more than it affects unemployment and inflation rates.

The passage does not compare the influence of population size on aggregate output with its influence on unemployment and inflation rates. Therefore, there is no support for this statement in the given information.

Answer: C

A number of measures indicate the viability of a nation’s economy. The

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A number of measures indicate the viability of a nation’s economy. The

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