Researchers have developed a technology that uses sound as a means of

Question

Researchers have developed a technology that uses sound as a means of converting heat into electrical energy. Converters based on this technology can be manufactured small enough to be integrated into consumer electronics, where they will absorb significant quantities of heat. A group of engineers is now designing converters to be sold to laptop computer manufacturers, who are expected to use the electrical output of the converters to conserve battery power in their computers.

Which of the following would, if true, provide the strongest evidence that the engineers' plan will be commercially successful for their group?

Which of the following would, if true, provide the strongest evidence that the engineers' plan will be commercially successful for their group?

A. The sound that is used by the converters is generated by the converters themselves.

B. Most laptop computer manufacturers today receive fewer complaints than in previous years regarding shortness of operating time on a single battery charge.

C. The overheating of microprocessors in laptop computers presents a major technological challenge that manufacturers are prepared to meet at significant expense.

D. Although battery technology has improved significantly, the average capacity of laptop computer batteries has not.

E. Electrical power generated by the converters can be used to power the fans installed to cool computers' components.

ID: 500101
CR98001.02

fiftyoneverbal · Accepted Answer

A) This offers no indication of the commercial success (popularity, sales, demand, etc.) of the engineer's plan

B) This is evidence that it might  not  be commercially successful, as users are less concerned with battery life and laptop manufacturers therefore might not want to buy the converters.

C) The converters absorb heat, and if the manufacturers (who the engineers want to sell to) are willing to spend a lot of money to solve the issue of overheating microprocessors, they might buy the converters in great numbers just to absorb the heat from the microprocessors. This is a great indication of the potential commercial success.

D) So what? This doesn't say that either users or laptop manufacturers  want  the battery capacity to increase. Indeed, the fact that the capacity hasn't increased even though it could is indication that there isn't much demand for it.

E) Not only does this not offer any indication of commercial success, cooling computer components means there is less heat for the converters to absorb, and they will be less useful.

(c) is the right answer

KarishmaB · Answer

A tech uses sound to convert heat into electrical energy.
It can be made small enough to be put in ICs to absorb heat.
Converters are being designed to be sold to laptop manufacturers (so that electricity generated can conserve battery power)

What helps the plan?

A) The sound that is used by the converters is generated by the converters themselves.

It doesn't matter who or what generates the sound the converter needs. As long as there is a provision for sound, it will work. Converter doesn't need to generate the sound itself.

B) Most laptop computer manufacturers today receive fewer complaints than in previous years regarding shortness of operating time on a single battery charge.

Irrelevant. Even if batteries today are better than before, it doesn't mean that can't be made even better.

C) The overheating of microprocessors in laptop computers presents a major technological challenge that manufacturers are prepared to meet at significant expense.

If overheating is a major challenge and manufacturers are prepared to solve it at significant expense, adding a new converter should work out perfectly for them. If will give the added advantage of adding to battery life. Correct.

D) Although battery technology has improved significantly, the average capacity of laptop computer batteries has not.

Doesn't matter. The capacitors will help conserve battery power, whatever it may be.

E) Electrical power generated by the converters can be used to power the fans installed to cool computers' components.

The electrical power can be used to perform any functions for the laptop. They will probably not be used to power fans even if they can be used for that purpose because the converters will absorb the heat. So the use of fans may actually go down. So the fact that their output can be used for fans doesn't add to their viability in any way.

Answer (C)

David nguyen · Answer

Researchers have developed a technology that uses sound as a means of converting heat into electrical energy. Converters based on this technology can be manufactured small enough to be integrated into consumer electronics, where they will absorb significant quantities of heat. A group of engineers is now designing converters to be sold to laptop computer manufacturers, who are expected to use the electrical output of the converters to conserve battery power in their computers.

Which of the following would, if true, provide the strongest evidence that the engineers' plan will be commercially successful for their group?

new tech -> sound as a means of converting heat -> electrical energy
this tech = small enough -> integrated into consumer electronics and absorbs heat from CE.
new tech -> to be sold to laptop computer manufacturers who use the electrical output to conserve battery.

Where is the conclusion?

Which of the following would, if true, provide the strongest evidence that the engineers' plan will be commercially successful for their group? <—  It is here.

This only talks about the converter itself. (A) is out.
 
This is why the manufactures need to improve the laptop batteries. But how are they going to improve? (B) is out.
 
TBH, i missed this answer at first by overlooking "manufacturers"—  fast reading is more harmful than helpful . I thought this answer was talking about the engineer's challenge. However, this actually contributes to the problem that the manufactures face when they produce laptop computers. This problem, in turn, is solved by the converters absorbing heat from the laptop. The converters then convert heat to energy. Ultimately, the laptop computer reuse this energy. Hence, conserving battery.
 
The reasoning is only concerned whether the converters will solve the manufactures' problem. This does not solve anything. (D) is out.
 
This, if anything, weakens the argument. The converter uses heat to produce energy. In the absence of heat, the convert is useless. (E) is out

(C) is the only one left. (C) is correct.

itspC · Answer

The plan is in bold in question: and for that to be success>> (pre-thinking)there should be a potential market in which plan can succeed. Searching options for this: A)So what ? This Doesn't provide any boom B)Weakening C)Heat to electrify is the product-converter>>> Also manufacturers are ready to pay high for reducing heat>>>Thus Engineer's plan works here. He can sell his products for profit. Yeah

D)Battery capacity relates electricity but how will engineer gain here ? Heat is not discussed.Not even any reason to use converter. E)Ooh nice but IDC.. but where does heat come from ?

itsarudolf · Answer

In my opinion this is not an assumption question. please, correct me if I am wrong.

AndrewN · Answer

Good catch, rudywip . I agree. According to the Verbal Review , this question falls under the umbrella "Evaluation of a Plan." (See attached screenshot.) On the other hand, the GMAT Club Practice Question Banks do not include such a tag for CR questions, where "Evaluate Argument" appears instead. The designation was likely an attempt to fit the question into more than one meaningful category. In the end, regardless of how you approach the question, what matters is that your reasoning is accurate. Good luck with your studies. - Andrew https://gmatclub.org/forum/download/file.php?id=58902 Screen Shot 2020-11-11 at 12.08.02.png

KarishmaB · Answer

A group of engineers is now designing converters to be sold to laptop computer manufacturers, who are expected to use the electrical output of the converters to conserve battery power in their computers.

Which of the following would, if true, provide the strongest evidence that the engineers' plan will be commercially successful for their group?

We need evidence that the engineer's plan will be  commercially successful  for the engineers. They are designing a converter. Will laptop manufacturers want this converter and pay them well for it? We need something that says that yes, they will.

When will laptop manufacturers buy the converter and pay well for it? If the converter resolves a problem for them (leading to more financial gains) or promises more financial gains for them directly or leads to higher customer satisfaction (again leading to higher financial gains).

C) The overheating of microprocessors in laptop computers presents a major technological challenge that manufacturers are prepared to meet at significant expense.

Tells us that the heating trouble the manufacturers face will be resolved with this converter. And that they will be willing to pay good money to fix this problem. Seems like our engineers may get the commercial success they have been hoping for. 
(Note that the heat converts to electricity so the laptop doesn't use battery. The electricity produced will not cause extra heat. The same heat will be produced as long as the laptop is in use, no matter what the source of power. If this is not so in actual practice, it is irrelevant. The argument does not consider this aspect and we are not expected to know anything else)

D) Although battery technology has improved significantly, the average capacity of laptop computer batteries has not.

Ok, so capacity of laptop batteries has not increased. Is the current capacity an issue? Do the manufacturers want to increase capacity? Is the market demanding more capacity? Would the manufacturers be willing to pay to increase capacity? We don't know.
So whether the engineers will get commercial success, we don't know.

Answer (C)

egmat · Answer

Passage Analysis

Researchers have developed a technology that uses sound as a means of converting heat into electrical energy.

Scientists have developed a new technology. 
It uses sound to change heat into electricity.

Converters based on this technology can be manufactured small enough to be integrated into consumer electronics, where they will absorb significant quantities of heat.

Converters using this technology can be made in small sizes such that they can be a part of daily life electronic equipment. 
In such equipment, the converters will take in a good amount of heat.

A group of engineers is now designing converters to be sold to laptop computer manufacturers,

One group of engineers are currently designing converters to be sold to makers of laptops.  
 
who are expected to use the electrical output of the converters to conserve battery power in their computers.

Makers of laptops are expected to use the converter-made electricity to save battery power in their computers. 
  
 Question Stem Analysis

Which of the following would, if true, provide the strongest evidence that the engineers' plan will be commercially successful for their group?

The conclusion is that the Engineers’ plan will be commercially successful for the group. 
The question stem states it and asks for a strengthener.

Prethinking  
 
Strengthener framework

What new information will make us feel more confident that the Engineers’ plan will be commercially successful for the group.?

Given that

Researchers have developed a technology that uses sound as a means of converting heat into electrical energy. 
 
 Converters based on this technology can be manufactured small enough to be integrated into consumer electronics, where they will absorb significant quantities of heat. 
 
 A group of engineers is now designing converters to be sold to laptop computer manufacturers, who are expected to use the electrical output of the converters to conserve battery power in their computers  .

Strengthener 1- Heating is a significant problem for laptop manufacturers (significant enough that they are ready to pay well for a good solution) and the converter can help resolve this problem.

Strengthener 2-The converter can be customized easily to the requirements of each laptop manufacturer. This indicates that the converter can be easily sold to various laptop manufacturers. This increases belief in the notion that the plan will be commercially successful.

Answer Choice Analysis

A) The sound that is used by the converters is generated by the converters themselves. 
INCORRECT 
 What the source of sound is has no relevance in determining whether the plan will be a commercial success amongst laptop manufacturers. How sound being generated on its own (by the converters) will help laptop manufacturers is not mentioned. Hence this choice has no clear impact.

B) Most laptop computer manufacturers today receive fewer complaints than in previous years regarding shortness of operating time on a single battery charge. 
INCORRECT 
 This is a weakener since it says most laptop manufacturers receive fewer complaints than before regarding battery charge. If the problem has gone down, then the incentive of saving battery charge or recharging it from the converter goes down.

C) The overheating of microprocessors in laptop computers presents a major technological challenge that manufacturers are prepared to meet at significant expense. 
 CORRECT  
 This option says that the converter acts as a solution for a major problem faced by laptop manufacturers, who were ready to spend a lot on solving it. The option tells us that the group likely will receive a good amount for making the solution of the major problem. Hence it is a strengthener. 
 
D) Although battery technology has improved significantly, the average capacity of laptop computer batteries has not. 
INCORRECT 
 This option says that the average battery capacity of laptops has not improved. This option only indicates that the converter will be useful to the laptop manufacturers as a means of conserving power. This option is irrelevant in deciding whether plan will be a commercial success.

E) Electrical power generated by the converters can be used to power the fans installed to cool computers' components. 
INCORRECT 
 If the converters are used to power the fans, then the system will be cooled. Then the converter will not have heat to convert to electricity. This option makes one doubt the usefulness of the converter. Hence this option is not correct.

jabhatta2 · Answer

Hi  VeritasKarishma  - would you agree that   both    option D and Option E strengthens the goal mentioned in purple ? However both option D or option E don't give any reference to **commericial success** specifically in green ?

Answer C refers to BOTH -- the green and the purple

Fair way to think about it ?

KarishmaB · Answer

We need to strengthen only this - "the engineers' plan will be commercially successful for the engineers". 
This is what the question stem asks. Focus on this only. 
The correct option will give us a reason why the manufacturers may go for this new converter and hence make the engineers rich.

(D) doesn't say that the average capacity of current batteries is not enough. So it doesn't strengthen anything. Also, what impact the feature given by (E) will have, we do not know. 
So just ignore these options. They do not serve any purpose. Whether they strengthen some other part of the argument is only going to confuse you. Focus only on what you need to strengthen as per the question.

saby1410 · Answer

AndrewN   GMATNinja 
Option E for this question considering the fact that Electrical power generated by the converters can be used to power the fans installed to cool computers' components. Hence our purpose of battery conversation of laptops is achieved.
why not this option b act as strengthener,Even in this fans,which may use earlier battery power now won't utilise that and hence battery power saved

AndrewN · Answer

Hello,  saby1410 . You have to be careful not to employ what I call one-step-removed logic on CR questions, particularly difficult ones. Keep in mind that the passage tells us that the new technology  uses sound as a means of converting heat into electrical energy . For the converters based on this technology to work, they need to absorb heat. I like the simple way that  fiftyoneverbal  has taken apart (E) above:

In other words,  sound  +  heat  =>  electrical energy . If heat becomes diminished, so, too, will be the electrical energy available from the converter. (And who would want to run a half-powered laptop, for instance?)

I hope that helps clarify your concerns. Your goal in CR is to follow a linear thought process. Although this is a nuanced question, you have to ignore one of the facts or relationships provided in the passage to justify (E).

- Andrew

Basshead · Answer

- Researchers have developed a technology that uses sounds to convert heat into electrical energy
- Converters using this new technology can be used in electronics, where they will absorb heat
- A group of engineers are looking to sell these converters to manufacturers, who wish to use them to conserve battery life.

Which of the following would, if true, provide the strongest evidence that the engineers' plan will be commercially successful for their group?

We're looking for evidence that suggests these will be  commercially successful . Let's go through the options:

A - Gives us more information on the converters. However, this option doesn't tell us anything to suggest the plan will be commercially successful.

B - If laptop computer manufacturers receive fewer complaints, then perhaps manufacturers are not looking to make a change. Why change something if it's not broken? B certainly does not provide evidence the plan will be successful.

C - If manufacturers are prepared to fix the issue of overheating at significant expense, this suggests they'll purchase the converters. C is a good one.

D - Irrelevant. We're looking for evidence that the engineers' plan will be commercially successful. D does not tell us anything useful.

E - Not relevant. This choice tells us that electrical power can be used in another scenario, but we want the electrical power to absorb heat itself.

C is the answer.

100mitra · Answer

Correct Option : C

Which of the following would, if true,  provide the strongest  evidence that the engineers' plan will be commercially successful for their group?
 Plan:  
- converters to be sold to laptop computer manufacturers, 
- to use the electrical output of the converters to conserve battery power in their computers.

A) The sound that is used by the converters is generated by the converters themselves.
 Wrong:  Convertor function is sound as a means of converting  heat  into electrical energy, if the function is changed, it will demean the plan

B) Most laptop computer manufacturers today receive  fewer complaints  than in previous years regarding  shortness of operating  time on a  single battery charge 
 Wrong:  Strenghten, complaints are less means battery life is optimun, and convertor is not required.

C) The overheating of microprocessors in laptop computers presents a major technological challenge that manufacturers are prepared to meet at significant expense.
 Correct:  Overheating, means generating heat and heat is ingredient for our convertor to produce electricity and meet the purpose of long battery life

D) Although battery technology has improved significantly, the average capacity of laptop computer batteries has not.
 Wrong:  this option is close, but it gives comparison about the batteries, not about convertor usages and its application to be useful like overheating

E) Electrical power generated by the converters can be used to power the fans installed to cool computers' components
 Wrong:  Plan is about Battery, not about fans, but a good option to trick

Crytiocanalyst · Answer

A) The sound that is used by the converters is generated by the converters themselves.
How can this take advantage in laptops , we have absolutely no clue therefore out

B) Most laptop computer manufacturers today receive fewer complaints than in previous years regarding shortness of operating time on a single battery charge.
This is a new technology therefore the implementation is a ongoing process so previous reviews cannot prove it's effeciency

C) The overheating of microprocessors in laptop computers presents a major technological challenge that manufacturers are prepared to meet at significant expense.
This challenge is an opportunity in itself which will help the converters have a useful application and capitalize in improving the technology

D) Although battery technology has improved significantly, the average capacity of laptop computer batteries has not.
Will the converters help in plug the gap through adaptation is not clearly portrayed therefore out

E) Electrical power generated by the converters can be used to power the fans installed to cool computers' components.
This is absolutely great reasoning however how will the electricity produced in the first place therefore out

Therefore IMO C

TarunKumar1234 · Answer

Researchers have developed a technology that uses sound as a means of converting heat into electrical energy. Converters based on this technology can be manufactured small enough to be integrated into consumer electronics, where they will absorb significant quantities of heat. A group of engineers is now designing converters to be sold to laptop computer manufacturers, who are expected to use the electrical output of the converters to conserve battery power in their computers.

new tech -> sound as a means of converting heat -> electrical energy
this tech = small enough -> integrated into consumer electronics and absorbs heat from CE.
new tech -> to be sold to laptop computer manufacturers who use the electrical output to conserve battery.

Where is the conclusion?

Which of the following would, if true, provide the strongest evidence that the engineers' plan will be commercially successful for their group? <— It is here.

Quote:

A) The sound that is used by the converters is generated by the converters themselves.

This only talks about the converter itself. (A) is out.

Quote:

B) Most laptop computer manufacturers today receive fewer complaints than in previous years regarding shortness of operating time on a single battery charge.

This is why the manufactures need to improve the laptop batteries. But how are they going to improve? (B) is out.

Quote:

C) The overheating of microprocessors in laptop computers presents a major technological challenge that manufacturers are prepared to meet at significant expense.

TBH, i missed this answer at first by overlooking "manufacturers"— fast reading is more harmful than helpful. I thought this answer was talking about the engineer's challenge. However, this actually contributes to the problem that the manufactures face when they produce laptop computers. This problem, in turn, is solved by the converters absorbing heat from the laptop. The converters then convert heat to energy. Ultimately, the laptop computer reuse this energy. Hence, conserving battery.

Quote:

D) Although battery technology has improved significantly, the average capacity of laptop computer batteries has not.

The reasoning is only concerned whether the converters will solve the manufactures' problem. This does not solve anything. (D) is out.

Quote:

E) Electrical power generated by the converters can be used to power the fans installed to cool computers' components.

This, if anything, weakens the argument. The converter uses heat to produce energy. In the absence of heat, the convert is useless. (E) is out

(C) is the only one left. (C) is correct.

GGGMAT2 · Answer

If we remove the word ' commercially ' from the question, then would D be a better answer choice than C?  KarishmaB

KarishmaB · Answer

Then (D) will become absolutely irrelevant. 
The engineer's plan will be successful if they are able to  design these converters. Whether the average capacity of laptop computer batteries has improved or not is irrelevant.

GMATQuizMaster · Answer

The trap in this one is subtle: just because a product- which we already know is useful- has additional useful features doesn't mean it will be commercially successful.
 
 Choice D mentions battery capacity hasn't improved - sounds like a problem the converters could solve, right? 
 Choice E talks about powering cooling fans - another useful application.  
But commercial success requires more than usefulness. It requires the target customer to be willing to invest money to solve that specific problem.

Choice C works because it shows manufacturers face a major challenge (overheating) AND are prepared to spend significant money to solve it. That's what commercial viability looks like.

We break down the exact distinction in this video solution, including why Choices D and E fail despite sounding relevant and how Choice C establishes both need and willingness to pay. The video will also help you update your error log for this question:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAMe4od4UGI

Researchers have developed a technology that uses sound as a means of

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Researchers have developed a technology that uses sound as a means of

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