Advertiser: There’s nothing wrong with a tool that has ten functions

Question

Advertiser: There’s nothing wrong with a tool that has ten functions until you need a tool that can perform an eleventh function! The VersaTool can perform more functions than any other tool. If you use the VersaTool, therefore, you will need additional tools less often than you would using any other multiple-function tool.

The reasoning in the advertiser’s argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the VersaTool might

(A) include some functions that are infrequently or never needed

(B) include a number of functions that are difficult to perform with any tool

(C) cost more than the combined cost of two other multiple-function tools that together perform more functions than the VersaTool

(D) be able to perform fewer often-needed functions than some other multiple-function tool

(E) not be able to perform individual functions as well as single-function tools

Bunuel · Answer

EXPLANATION FROM Fox LSAT

Yeehaw! This sounds like an advertisement you’d hear while watching NASCAR. I hate NASCAR. Anyway, the conclusion is, “You will need additional tools less often than you would using any other multiple-function tool.” We are asked to weaken that conclusion.

A) This wouldn’t weaken, because additional features (even if they are never used)can’t hurt the idea that “you will need additional tools less often.”

B) “Difficulty of performance” is not at issue here. The issue is: Will the VersaTool really require me to use additional tools less often than any other multi-tool would?

C) Cost is not relevant.

D) Ahhh. If the VersaTool lacks something I need often, say, a screwdriver, then it doesn’t matter how many zillion doohickeys it has on it. This is the best answer so far.

E) This isn’t relevant because the argument only compares the VersaTool to other multi-function tools, not any single-function tools.

Our answer is D.

unraveled · Answer

Advertiser: There’s nothing wrong with a tool that has ten functions until you need a tool that can perform an eleventh function! The VersaTool can perform more functions than any other tool. If you use the VersaTool, therefore, you will need additional tools less often than you would using any other multiple-function tool.

The reasoning in the advertiser’s argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the VersaTool might

(A) include some functions that are infrequently or never needed - WRONG. A trap that I fell for but i had my apprehensions since functions never used would remain same for any other tool as well, keeping up with the passage reasoning as it is. No impact.

(B) include a number of functions that are  difficult to perform with any tool  - WRONG. Difficulty is not an issue but even if it is then it is for any other tools as well so this one is not hitting the right notes.

(C)  cost more than the combined cost of two other multiple-function tools  that together perform more functions than the VersaTool - WRONG. Doesn't impact the reasoning used in the passage. Irrelevant.

(D) be able to perform fewer often-needed functions than some other multiple-function tool. - CORRECT. Bit confusing but it is right. If often-needed functions are 5 in the VersaTool and 8 in any other multi-function tool then latter has an advantage over VersaTool. This choice used the logical opposite of the choice A and presented in such a manner that confuses test taker.

(E)  not be able to perform  individual functions as well as single-function tools - WRONG. This absolutely nullifies the passage argument so it is not in the right direction

Answer D.

ashutosh_73 · Answer

Hello
Can someone please explain why/how (D) is the answer not (A) OR (C)?

My understanding:

(A) include some functions that are infrequently or never needed

If Versatool has a few functions, which are never required, then conclusion does't HOLD. Why would i use Versatool?

(C) cost more than the combined cost of two other multiple-function tools that together perform more functions than the VersaTool

This one puts a dent on the argument. If cost of other multiple function tools with more function is less than Verstool with less function, why would i use Versatool?

(D) be able to perform fewer often-needed functions than some other multiple-function tool

Stim mentions ''There???s nothing wrong with a tool that has ten functions until you need a tool that can perform an eleventh function''
Versatool has been put forward in the argument on the basis of need. Evidently, it will include all needed functions, right?

JoeKan1234 · Answer

The conclusion is "you will need additional tools less often than you would using any other multiple-function tool". A is wrong because it does not compare VersaTool with other tools". Second, "some functions are infrequently or never needed" does not mean all functions are so. Perhaps, 6 out of 10 functions are not needed. That means 4 are needed. If other tools have 2 out of 9 functions that are not needed, that means 7 are needed. Compared with other brands, VersaTool's functions are more redundant and less useful. In this case, statement A weakens the conclusion because VersaTool is not useful enough, and you are likely to need other tools that provide additional useful functions. Perhaps, 2 out of 10 functions are not needed. 8 of them are needed. If other tools have 8 out of 9 functions that are not needed, this means only 1 is needed. In this case, VersaTool proves less redundant and more useful than other tools. You will be less likely to use other tools that are less useful, so the conclusion cannot be weakened.

thelastskybender · Answer

Three options B,C and E can be eliminated on the first glance.

(A) include some functions that are infrequently or never needed

(B) include a number of functions that are difficult to perform with any tool

(C) cost more than the combined cost of two other multiple-function tools that together perform more functions than the VersaTool

(D) be able to perform fewer often-needed functions than some other multiple-function tool     
 
(E) not be able to perform individual functions as well as single-function tools

GMATNinja · Answer

Regarding choice (A): as long as the VersaTool has all of the functions that are used frequently, who cares if it has some extra functions that are used infrequently? Those extra functions don't do any harm, so this one doesn't affect the argument.

As for (C), the advertiser is trying to convince us of this: " If you use the VersaTool , you will need additional tools less often than you would using any other multiple-function tool."

The advertiser is NOT trying to convince us that the VersaTool is the most economical option. Maybe it would be cheaper to buy 10 different tools that, together, can do everything the VersaTool can do. But that still means that you'll need to use ADDITIONAL tools to perform those functions.

As long as using the VersaTool means needing additional tools less often, the author's argument holds, regardless of cost. So (C) is out.

For (D), the advertiser only talks about the NUMBER of functions: "The VersaTool can perform more functions than any other tool". But what if VersaTool has 20 functions but LACKS a few often-needed functions? If there's a 10-function tool that has all of the often-needed functions, then you will need additional tools less often if you use that tool, not the VersaTool.

In short, the advertiser is trying to convince us that more is better, and (D) explains why that might not be the case.

I hope that helps!

VerbalBot · Answer

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Advertiser: There’s nothing wrong with a tool that has ten functions

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