GMAT CLUB OLYMPICS: Following an analysis showing that the average pok

Question

Following an analysis showing that the average poker player spends more money than the average roulette player, and as part of an effort to increase its total profit, Notorious, Kingland’s finest casino, recently replaced its roulette tables with the same number of poker tables.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument that Notorious’s decision will have its desired effect?

Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument that Notorious’s decision will have its desired effect?

A. The roulette tables are far less popular than the poker tables.

B. Both tables take up the same amount of space in the casino.

C. Poker players are much more likely to be professional poker players than roulette players are likely to be professional roulette players.

D. 20 people participate in a game of roulette and 5 people participate in a game of poker.

E. The casino’s cost per person at a roulette table is higher than its cost per person at a poker table.

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

Explanation

We’ll go for LOGICAL because there is a hidden equation behind the scenes.

The argument relies on the logic of profit vs. cost and on that of averages, specifically, that profit = revenue – cost and that the total revenue = average revenue × number of customers. Our equations tell us two main things. The first equation tells us that increasing the profit requires increasing the revenue or decreasing the costs. The second equation tells us that to connect the average amount spent by the poker player to the total revenue, we need to know the number of players.

So we want to weaken the argument that Notorious made a good decision, meaning we want to show that there will be a decrease in profit. Then we can show that either there are fewer players of poker, reducing the total revenue, or there is more cost in poker, reducing the profit.

Briefly skimming through our answers, we find that (D) is the only answer that does one of these: it states that fewer people participate in each game of poker.

JonShukhrat · Answer

We are taking about average spending. If in average a poker player spends $100 while a roulette player $95, but if the number of the latter is twice more, than ditching roulette players means a $90 loss not a gain. the only choice that addresses this issue is D.

A. The roulette tables are far less popular than the poker tables.

This choice actually strengthens the casino’s plan

B. Both tables take up the same amount of space in the casino.

This means that there was no additional construction to open up the space. So it again strengthens.

C. Poker players are much more likely to be professional poker players than roulette players are likely to be professional roulette players.

This may simply means poker players attend more regularly since they are professional. Again strengthens.

D. 20 people participate in a game of roulette and 5 people participate in a game of poker.

Correct choice as I wrote above.

E. The casino’s cost per person at a roulette table is higher than its cost per person at a poker table.

That means that now casino’s expenses are lower than before. Again strengthens.

So D

VirFortis · Answer

replacing roulette with poker tables -> more profit (conclusion)

so replacing is good -> supports Notorious' decision. Eliminate.

so, replacing is okay. nothing to weaken the stance. Eliminate.

professional - has nothing to do with the strategy. Eliminate.

so, less people play poker and more play roulette -> roulette is more popular than poker -> so if you replace roulette -> people would not play -> profit will decrease. (assumption: the tables for poker and roulette are the same today - Not provided, hence a far-fetched choice, but till now the best we have.) Keep.

casino's cost at roulette is higher, so replacing it with poker should reduce cost -> adding to profit -> supports. Eliminate.

With a heavy heart, I choose D as the answer.

zhanbo · Answer

My answer is (D) . Pre-thinking (I failed to anticipate answer (D) partly because I have never played roulette.

) 1. poker players also enjoy roulette, without which they will go to other, less fine, casinos. 2. playing roulette (or simply the sound emitted by the playing of roulette) has psychological effect on poker players to bet more money. Now, look at five choices. (A) It strengths the argument. (B) It is either neutral, or it strengths the argument. Certainly, in view of (D), it might weaken the argument. Making such connection, though, requires more intimate knowledge about casino games. Because I have yet seen (D), I can eliminate (B) without thinking too much into it. (C) Maybe professional players spend more money per person? Even so, it only explains the disparity in their betting habits. It does not directly address the decision. (D) Jackpot! The total revenue from roulette table can actually be higher than that from poker game. GMAT actually enjoys this kind of question. Need to be more attentive whenever I see "average". (E) It strengths the argument.

mSKR · Answer

conclusion: to increase its total profit: recently replaced its roulette tables with the same number of poker tables.

Find reasoning why? -- > Replacing Roulette will not bring profit

A. The roulette tables  are far less popular  than the poker tables.
roulette tables are not popular then replacing roulette tables is better as it can bring more revenue.

B. Both tables take up the  same amount of space  in the casino.
If both tables take the same amount then it doesn’t matter much which table is placed there.

C. Poker players are much  more likely to be professional poker players  than roulette players are likely to be professional roulette players.
Reject: Poker players play professionally . More poker tables . more spend by each person. In the end replacing roulette would help? We are not sure? Because we care about quantity of people increase so that each person can spend more on the game he/she is playing

D. 20 people participate in a game of roulette and 5 people participate in a game of poker.  
20 people were playing and even each individual bring less revenue than per poker player, still summing up could bring more profit than only few poker plyers. 
It seems replacing table of roulette with game of poker, doesnot seem to be a good idea.
This option doesn’t make or break the conclsioon but it tends to weaken the conclusion.

E. The  casino’s cost per person  at a roulette table is higher than its cost per person at a poker table.
If routleer table is expensive then it is better wec can replace with poker table . But would it being more player? Yes it may save cost but Would this move more profit? We have open questions on this .

Hence final answer: D

Showmeyaa · Answer

most weakens the argument that Notorious’s decision will have its desired effect?
 desired effect - increase in total profit!
 
A. The roulette tables are far less popular than the poker tables.
 So what? Still, the average poker player spends more money than the average roulette player
 
B. Both tables take up the same amount of space in the casino.
 Irrelevant! 
C. Poker players are much more likely to be professional poker players than roulette players are likely to be professional roulette players.
 Irrelevant! 
D. 20 people participate in a game of roulette and 5 people participate in a game of poker.
 Yes, if the total count is reduced then the average profit will go down!
 
E. The casino’s cost per person at a roulette table is higher than its cost per person at a poker table.
 If at all, this strengthens the idea! 
 
IMO, (D)!

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