MacroMania Entertainment has begun to manufacture new data cables

Question

MacroMania Entertainment has begun to manufacture new data cables using fiber optic materials rather than the previously used copper cables because the former are much more efficient and speedier in terms of transfer of data on networks. A cable made of fiber optic material is, however, five times as expensive to produce as a copper cable. It follows that the substitution of fiber optic cables for copper cables is, at this time, not recommended from a financial standpoint

Which of the following statements, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

A. A fiber optic cable costs one-half the price of a copper cable to maintain.
B. The production of fiber optic cable necessitates MacroMania Entertainment to replace obsolete machinery and to hire extra workers to operate new machines.
C. The upkeep of copper cables is far less expensive than the upkeep of any other data cable made from other materials in current production.
D. While producers anticipate that the cost of fiber optic cables will remain stable, they recognize that the advent of recycling programs for copper should bring down the costs of copper cables.
E. Majority of the communication needs of users today can be fulfilled only by highly efficient and speedy networks.

SafeRay · Answer

Conclusion: switching to fiber optic is not recommended financially (because production cost is 5x).

To weaken a financial conclusion, look for something that offsets the higher production cost.

A does that: fiber optic maintenance is half of copper. So higher make-cost can still be okay overall once upkeep is included. That undercuts "not recommended from a financial standpoint."

Quick kill of the others:
B: more machinery/workers = even more expensive → strengthens
C: copper upkeep is cheaper → supports staying with copper → strengthens
D: copper costs fall later → makes copper look better → strengthens
E: users need speed → relevance/need, not a clear financial offset

So A.

arunbhati · Answer

Answer is E

The argument concludes that fiber optic cables should not be used because they are more expensive to produce. Option  E  weakens this by showing that users predominantly require highly efficient and speedy networks, which fiber optic cables provide. This suggests that the additional cost may be justified by the benefits, undermining the conclusion that substitution is not financially recommended.

UpHa · Answer

IMO, E. As fibre optic cables are efficient and speedier than copper cables.

nequeofficiis · Answer

since the argument did say from a financial standpoint, I believe that A should be the right answer, since it does contains elements of finance inside, rather than the users needs. However answer is E. I have no idea why.

guddo · Answer

MacroMania Entertainment has begun to manufacture new data cables using fiber optic materials rather than the previously used copper cables because the former are much more efficient and speedier in terms of transfer of data on networks. A cable made of fiber optic material is, however, five times as expensive to produce as a copper cable. It follows that the substitution of fiber optic cables for copper cables is, at this time, not recommended from a financial standpoint. 
 
Which of the following statements, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

The argument says fiber optic cables are faster and more efficient, but because they cost five times more to produce, switching to them is financially unwise.  The key flaw  is that the argument looks only at production cost and ignores whether copper cables can still meet users’ needs. If users now require faster networks, then switching to fiber optic cables may be  financially necessary  despite the higher cost.

(A) A fiber optic cable costs one-half the price of a copper cable to maintain.

This weakens somewhat, but not enough. Fiber optic cables cost five times as much to produce, and we are not told that the lower maintenance cost is large enough to offset that much higher production cost.

(B) The production of fiber optic cable necessitates MacroMania Entertainment to replace obsolete machinery and to hire extra workers to operate new machines.

This strengthens the argument. It adds more costs to switching to fiber optic cables.

(C) The upkeep of copper cables is far less expensive than the upkeep of any other data cable made from other materials in current production.

This strengthens the argument. It suggests copper cables are financially better from a maintenance standpoint.

(D) While producers anticipate that the cost of fiber optic cables will remain stable, they recognize that the advent of recycling programs for copper should bring down the costs of copper cables.

This strengthens the argument. If copper cables are expected to become cheaper, then switching away from copper looks even less attractive financially.

(E) Majority of the communication needs of users today can be fulfilled only by highly efficient and speedy networks.

This is correct. If most users need highly efficient and speedy networks, then copper cables may no longer satisfy market demand. In that case, fiber optic cables may bring financial benefits through demand, sales, or competitiveness, even though they cost more to produce.

Answer: (E)

egmat · Answer

@   arunbhati   -  What is the source of this question? Can you tell me how was this question validated?

arunbhati · Answer

Option E

Suppose customers absolutely need high-speed networks.
Then:
 
 Copper may not adequately satisfy customers. 
 Fiber may be necessary to remain competitive. 
 The higher production cost could be justified by market demand.  
In other words:
 
The company could lose customers and revenue by sticking with copper.
So E attacks the argument's core assumption:
 
✅ Strong weaken.

The problem is that we don't know whether the maintenance savings are large enough to offset the production cost.
Let's use numbers.
Example
Copper: 
 
  Production = $100  
  Maintenance = $40   
 Fiber: 
 
  Production = $500  
  Maintenance = $20

MacroMania Entertainment has begun to manufacture new data cables

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MacroMania Entertainment has begun to manufacture new data cables

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