Double negation in assumptions CR

Dear ishanbhat455,
I see MacFauz already gave a good answer, but since you sent me a p.m., I will say a bit as well.

Here's another way to think about it. In each case, the original statement contains a double-negative, and two negatives make a positive, so there must be a way to capture the same meaning without any negatives.

Original #1: One of the products of firm X could never stay profitable unless it was offered with a discount.
Equivalent of #1: One of the products of firm X needs to be offered with a discount in order to stay profitable.
Now that we have a version that's all positive, it's easy to negate it:
Negation of #1: This product of firm X doesn't need to be offered with a discount in order to stay profitable.
or
Negation of #1: This product of firm X can be offered without a discount and still stay profitable.

For #2, I changed it from "a product" (very general) to "this product" --- the first seemed far too general for anything on the GMAT CR.
Original #2: There is no way this product can stay profitable if that product is not sold without a discount.
Equivalent of #2: Selling this product at a discount is absolutely essential for keeping it profitable. .
Negation of #2: Selling this product at a discount is not necessary for keeping it profitable. .
or
Negation of #2: This product can be offered without a discount and still stay profitable. .

You have to be flexible in making the negation. It's not just a matter of adding or subtracting the right combination of words. You always have to think about the meaning, and fine re-phrasings that preserve the correct meaning.

Does all this make sense?
Mike

Thanks Mac. Makes sense.

I guess it really helps to simplify the sentence and then negate. So, the second one can be simplified to sound like- "There is no way a product can stay profitable if that product is sold with a discount." Then negating it seems to be a bit easier.

Thanks Mike. Nice explanation. I seem to agree with the strategy of first simplifying a complex sentence (e.g- loaded with multiple negatives) and then negating it.

Yup.. Sorry about that.. I 'copy-pasted' the original sentence and didn't edit that out properly.. Have made the change now..


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