Fresh potatoes generally cost about $2 for a 10-pound bag, whereas deh

Question

Fresh potatoes generally cost about $2 for a 10-pound bag, whereas dehydrated instant potatoes cost, on average, about $3 per pound. It can be concluded that some consumers will pay 15 times as much for convenience, since sales of this convenience food continue to rise.

Which of the following, if true, indicates that there is a major flaw in the argument above?

(A) Fresh potatoes bought in convenient 2-pound bags are about $1 a bag, or 2 1/2 times more expensive than fresh potatoes bought in 10-pound bags.

(B) Since fresh potatoes are 80 percent water, one pound of dehydrated potatoes is the equivalent of 5 pounds of fresh potatoes.

(C) Peeled potatoes in cans are also more expensive than the less convenient fresh potatoes.

(D) Retail prices of dehydrated potatoes have declined by 20 percent since 1960 to the current level of about $3 a pound.

(E) As a consequence of labor and processing costs, all convenience foods cost more than the basic foods from which they are derived

Please explain why your answer is correct.
thanks

KarishmaB · Accepted Answer

Fresh potatoes cost $(1/5) for each pound. 
Dehydrated potatoes cost $3 for each pound. 
Sale of dehydrated potatoes is continuously rising.

Conclusion: Some consumers will pay 15 times as much for convenience

We are comparing the convenience of dehydrated potatoes with fresh potatoes. And we are saying that dehydrated potatoes cost 15 times as much and still sell because of the convenience they offer.

A) Fresh potatoes bought in convenient 2-pound bags are about $1 a bag, or 2 1/2 times more expensive than fresh potatoes bought in 10-pound bags.

This is comparing pricing of 2 different packs of fresh potatoes only. Irrelevant.

(B) Since fresh potatoes are 80 percent water, one pound of dehydrated potatoes is the equivalent of 5 pounds of fresh potatoes.

This tells us that that 5 pounds of fresh potatoes make one pound of dehydrated potatoes. So when someone buys one pound of dehydrated potatoes, he is in effect buying 5 pounds of fresh potatoes. So he is paying $3 for 5 pounds. This means that as against buying 15 pounds of fresh potatoes for $3, he is effectively buying 5 pounds of fresh potatoes for $3. So he is paying 3 times as much for convenience. Hence, people may not be willing to pay 15 times as much for convenience. They are paying 3 times as much.

(C) Peeled potatoes in cans are also more expensive than the less convenient fresh potatoes.

Cost of peeled potatoes is not given. So it neither helps nor weakens our argument that people pay 15 times as much for convenience.

(D) Retail prices of dehydrated potatoes have declined by 20 percent since 1960 to the current level of about $3 a pound.

It doesn't matter whether dehydrated potatoes have become cheaper from before. We know that they still cost 15 times as much as fresh potatoes do and people are buying them. So we can say that people pay 15 times as much for convenience.

(E) As a consequence of labor and processing costs, all convenience foods cost more than the basic foods from which they are derived.

Why convenience foods cost more is irrelevant. The point is that people are willing to pay more for them.

Answer (B)

eschn3am · Answer

(B) Since fresh potatoes are 80 percent water, one pound of dehydrated potatoes is the equivalent of 5 pounds of fresh potatoes.

According to this people aren't necessarily willing to pay 15x more for convenience. They're really only paying about 3x more.

GMATBLACKBELT · Answer

I was just about to post this problem from one of the paper tests I took. I thought it was a great problem. Here was my analysis that I posted into excel.

C: irrelevant. D: irrelevant. E: irrelevant. For AB do the math! 1lb of dehydrated=5lbs fresh. 2$ for 10lb 3$*10 dehydrated lb =30$. So it would seem that 30/2=15 times more. But b/c 1lb=5lbs of fresh. Its actually 6$ for 2lbs of dehydrated which is 10lbs of fresh, which is actually only 3 times more expensive. So this is why B is correct. A: the weight of the bag is irrelevatn here.

sondenso · Answer

Agree!

At first, I choose C because the most epensive must be the most convinient and because I dont know what is the peeled. After reading this, B surely correct my misleading! Thanks

diljeetsingh · Answer

can someone please explain what is the type of the question ??

"Which of the following, if true, indicates that there is a major flaw in the argument above?"

whether it is weaken , strengthen , vulnerable to criticism ??

dreamofbest2020 · Answer

this is a weaken question. You have to weaken the conclusion i.e. "It can be concluded that some consumers will pay 15 times as much for convenience, since sales of this convenience food continue to rise" by stating an alternating reasoning that might be responsible for customer buying behaviour

amitanshumaity · Answer

diljeetsingh   dreamofbest2020  This is not weaken question but a  logical flaw  type question. Let me explain the approach.

Fresh potatoes generally cost about $2 for a 10-pound bag, whereas dehydrated instant potatoes cost, on average, about $3 per pound. It can be concluded that some consumers will pay 15 times as much for convenience, since sales of this convenience food continue to rise.

The author concludes that customers will be willing to pay as much as 15 times more for convenience.

But do we know 1 pound dehydrated potatoes is equal to 1 pound fresh potatoes? No right!
So, such a comparison may be flawed.

We are given fresh potatoes--> 2$ for 10 Pounds -->  1$ for 5 pounds  ( Basically we paying 1$ for 5 pounds)

Option B--> Since fresh potatoes are 80 percent water, one pound of dehydrated potatoes is the equivalent of 5 pounds of fresh potatoes.

Option B implies -->  3$ for 5 pounds ( As per pound is 3$ and 1 pound dehydrated potato = 5 pound fresh potato).

Definitely, we can determine that we are not paying anywhere close to 15 times for the convenience. 
This the major flaw or leap of faith in the author's argument.

For these questions--> Always think along the lines what possible assumptions the author makes when he draws the conclusion.

Rishovnits · Answer

Hi,

Even in option A, essentially dehydrated bags are 6x more expensive than fresh potatoes. In that case, this opton also weakens the argument as B does. Can you please correct if I am wrong?

Thanks,
Rishov

amitanshumaity · Answer

(A) Fresh potatoes bought in convenient 2-pound bags are about $1 a bag, or 2 1/2 times more expensive than fresh potatoes bought in 10-pound bags. 
 Rishovnits  
Here, the comparison is between 2pound bag Vs 10-pound bag, and in both cases the price of fresh potatoes.

You can't infer something unless it is stated explicitly.

Kudos will be appreciated if you liked my prompt response.
Please, refer to my answer in case of further doubt.

bae · Answer

Conclusion: It can be concluded that some consumers will pay "15 times" as much for convenience, since sales of this convenience food continue to rise.
Flaw: NOT "15 times"

Conclusion says that,
Fresh: $2/10P
Dehydrated: $3/P -> $30/10P
Therefore, $30/$2 = 15 times more expensive!

(B) Since fresh potatoes are 80 percent water, one pound of dehydrated potatoes is the equivalent of 5 pounds of fresh potatoes.
However, 1P Dehydrated : 15P Fresh

Let's recalculate based on the information in B,
Fresh: $2/10P
Dehydrated: $30/10*5 -> $30/50P -> $3/5P -> $6/10P
Therefore, $6/$2 = 3 times only more expensive NOT 15 times !

It is not 15times, only 3 times. Caught the flaw!

In A,
(A) Fresh potatoes bought in convenient 2-pound bags are about $1 a bag, or 2 1/2 times more expensive than fresh potatoes bought in 10-pound bags.

Conclusion says that,
Fresh : $2/10P
C Fresh: $1/2P -> $5/10P
Dehydrated: $3/P -> $30/10P
Therefore, $30/$5 = 6 times more expensive! yeah the flaw is caught. But why is this Answer choice not better than A?
This answer choice is comparing convenient stores fresh potatoes, not in general of fresh potatoes.

Therefore, B wins. B is better than A.

(C) Peeled potatoes in cans are also more expensive than the less convenient fresh potatoes.
OFS- Seriously, why peeled potatoes?

(D) Retail prices of dehydrated potatoes have declined by 20 percent since 1960 to the current level of about $3 a pound.
OFS
Fresh : $2/10P
Dehydrated: $3/P -> $30/10P
Therefore, $30/$5 = 6 times more expensive! yeah the flaw is caught. But why is this Answer choice not better than A?
OFS

(E) As a consequence of labor and processing costs, all convenience foods cost "more" than the basic foods from which they are derived
OFS- OK. Convenient cost more than basic, but it does not shows the "MORE" means what.

(D) Retail prices of dehydrated potatoes have declined by 20 percent since 1960 to the current level of about $3 a pound. OFS Fresh : $2/10P Dehydrated: $3/P -> $30/10P Therefore, $30/$5 = 6 times more expensive! yeah the flaw is caught. But why is this Answer choice not better than A? OFS (E) As a consequence of labor and processing costs, all convenience foods cost "more" than the basic foods from which they are derived OFS- OK. Convenient cost more than basic, but it does not shows the "MORE" means what.

kavach · Answer

The author concludes that customers will be willing to pay as much as 15 times more for convenience.

But do we know 1 pound dehydrated potatoes is equal to 1 pound fresh potatoes? No right!
So, such a comparison may be flawed.

We are given fresh potatoes--> 2$ for 10 Pounds --> 1$ for 5 pounds ( Basically we paying 1$ for 5 pounds)

Option B--> Since fresh potatoes are 80 percent water, one pound of dehydrated potatoes is the equivalent of 5 pounds of fresh potatoes.

Option B implies --> 3$ for 5 pounds( As per pound is 3$ and 1 pound dehydrated potato = 5 pound fresh potato).

Definitely, we can determine that we are not paying anywhere close to 15 times for the convenience. 
This the major flaw or leap of faith in the author's argument.

For these questions--> Always think along the lines what possible assumptions the author makes when he draws the conclusion.

praagarwal · Answer

e. even if convenience food costs more than basic food (potatoes), people are still willing to buy convenience food than basic food. Implying that they are willing to pay 15x for convenience. hence, E is wrong.

anshul0130 · Answer

VeritasKarishma  - Can you pls explain why options A, C, D, & E are incorrect ? I tried searching for explanations but couldn't find any. 
Below is my analysis of the argument -

Fresh potatoes cost about $2/10-pound;whereas, dehydrated potatoes cost about $3/pound or $30/10-pound. Conclusion is that consumers are willing to pay 15 times for the convenience food i.e. removing all water from fresh potatoes and converting them into dehydrated ones before they are sold to consumers.

Option B says that consumers are not paying 15 times but only 3 times for dehydrated potatoes.

Pls do share your thoughts on other options.

Thanks,
Anshul P

Fdambro294 · Answer

The question asks us to find the answer choice that indicates the logical flaw committed by the author in making the argument.

Facts presented: $2 for 10 pounds of fresh potatoes.

$3 for 1 pound of dehydrated potatoes. The demand for and sales of dehydrated potatoes continues to rise.

Conclusion: some people are willing to pay as much as 15 times the price of a product because it is provided in a “more convenient manner”.

First, where does the author get this 15 times the price figure? If dehydrated potatoes are $3 for 1 pound ——-> then dehydrated potatoes would cost $30 for 10 pounds.

Since 10 pounds of fresh potatoes are $2, he assumes that some people are paying: $30 = (15 times) * ($2) ——> for essentially the same item (potatoes). The author believes people do so for convenience (I.e., the “cause” for this occurrence is that dehydrated potatoes are “more convenient”)

Based on the structure and line of reasoning, what has the author wrongfully assumed?

In the end, the author must believe that for some people to pay 15 times the amount for dehydrated potatoes because of “convenience,” the amounts, quality and any other relevant factors must be essentially the same for dehydrated potatoes as they are for fresh potatoes.

In other words, 10 pounds of fresh potatoes is essentially equivalent to 10 pounds of dehydrated potatoes. The only factor separating them is that dehydrated potatoes are more convenient. In the author’s mind, people are willing to pay 15 times the price for the equivalent “weight” of potatoes because dehydrated potatoes are more “convenient.”

Any answer choice that points out or somehow suggests that the two items under review, dehydrated potatoes vs fresh potatoes, are different in a way other than convenience could point out the logical flaw made by the author (that the two items are both essentially the “same potato per pound”).

A: gives us a price point between a “more convenient” fresh potato bag and another fresh potato bag. The answer suggests that people are willing to pay 2 1/2 times more for convenience in this scenario.

The answer could be read as suggesting that some people are only willing to pay 2 1/2 times the price for convenience (and not the 15 times concluded by the author). It would also have to be implied that the price points are valid indications of the demand. In other words, the fact the item is priced at that amount means that people are actually buying the item and willing to pay 2.5 times more for convenience. (This analysis right here is reason enough to be suspect regarding answer choice A).

Just as important, our given argument does not say that ALL people are willing to pay 15 times more for convenience: just “some”

Providing a fact about two price points regarding two items that differ from the argument does not point out the flaw the author has made in his logic.

Answer B is correct because by showing that the dehydrated potatoes are actually providing the consumer with more “actual potato” as measured in pounds, the answer choice makes clear the flaw in the logic made by the author: that the amount of “actual potato” you get in dehydrated potatoes is equivalent to the amount of “actual potato” you receive when you buy fresh potatoes.

Without this above fact, the conclusion regarding the “15 times as much” just doesn’t have any merit.

B points out the logical flaw made by the author: that the two items under review provide the same “real potato value” per pound.

Posted from my mobile device

krndatta · Answer

KarishmaB  Ma'am,

From the stem we know that 1 pound of DP = $3, and 1 pound of FP=$0.2. 
From option B, we know that 1 pound of DP= $3, and 1 pound of FP=$0.6. So aren't they paying 5 times? 
They are getting 5 pounds for $3 so for $0.6/pound. 
Just wanted to understand the calculation part of this.

Please evaluate

Kratosgmat · Answer

$30 for 10 pounds - dehyd
now,1 pound dehyd = 5 pound fresh
so 10 pound dehyd = 50 pound fresh
initially 10 pound fresh is 2$
now 50 pound fresh is $30 implying 10 pound fresh is 6 dollar
so you have paid thrice as much
not 15 times as much

Raman109 · Answer

Understanding the argument. 
Fresh potatoes generally cost about $2 for a 10-pound bag, whereas dehydrated instant potatoes cost, on average, about $3 per pound. - Fact 
Fresh Potatoes - $0.2 per pound. 
Dehydrated Potatoes - $3 per pound. 
It can be concluded that some consumers will pay 15 times as much for convenience, since sales of this convenience food continue to rise. - Conclusion.

Option Elimination - Highlight the flaw

(A) Fresh potatoes bought in convenient 2-pound bags are about $1 a bag, or 2 1/2 times more expensive than fresh potatoes bought in 10-pound bags.
Rishovnits
Here, the comparison is between 2pound bag Vs 10-pound bag, and in both cases the price of fresh potatoes.

You can't infer something unless it is stated explicitly.

Kudos will be appreciated if you liked my prompt response.
Please, refer to my answer in case of further doubt.

(B) Since fresh potatoes are 80 percent water, one pound of dehydrated potatoes is the equivalent of 5 pounds of fresh potatoes.

According to this people aren't necessarily willing to pay 15x more for convenience. They're really only paying about 3x more.

(C) Peeled potatoes in cans are also more expensive than the less convenient fresh potatoes. - "Peeled potatoes in cans" are out of scope.

(D) Retail prices of dehydrated potatoes have declined by 20 percent since 1960 to the current level of about $3 a pound. - The information about their decline is out of scope. What we are concerned about is that at $3 today they pay 15 times.

(E) As a consequence of labor and processing costs, all convenience foods cost more than the basic foods from which they are derived - Reason why the cost is high is out of scope.

km0808 · Answer

Fresh potatoes generally cost about $2 for a 10-pound bag, whereas dehydrated instant potatoes cost, on average, about $3 per pound. It can be concluded that some consumers will pay 15 times as much for convenience, since sales of this convenience food continue to rise.

construction is 
A -> B
A (conveniece) -> B (rise in sales)
Prethinking it is not because of convenience people are paying more.

Which of the following, if true, indicates that there is a major flaw in the argument above?

(A) Fresh potatoes bought in convenient 2-pound bags are about $1 a bag, or 2 1/2 times more expensive than fresh potatoes bought in 10-pound bags. (comparing two types of fresh potatoes)

(B) Since fresh potatoes are 80 percent water, one pound of dehydrated potatoes is the equivalent of 5 pounds of fresh potatoes.

According to this people aren't necessarily willing to pay 15x more for convenience. They're really only paying about 3x more.

(C) Peeled potatoes in cans are also more expensive than the less convenient fresh potatoes. (Peeled irrelevant)

(D) Retail prices of dehydrated potatoes have declined by 20 percent since 1960 to the current level of about $3 a pound. (irrelevant)

(E) As a consequence of labor and processing costs, all convenience foods cost more than the basic foods from which they are derived (irrelevant)

KalleAbhi · Answer

Answer: (B). 
 Why:  The argument compares prices  per pound  without accounting for the fact that dehydrated potatoes are mostly the potato solids (water removed), so a pound of dehydrated potatoes is not the same amount of food as a pound of fresh potatoes. Choice (B) supplies the missing conversion: fresh potatoes are 80% water, so  1 lb dehydrated ≈ 5 lb fresh .
Do the math with that fact:
 
 Fresh: $2 per 10 lb → $0.20 per lb fresh. 
 1 lb dehydrated = 5 lb fresh → those 5 lb fresh cost $1 (5 × $0.20). 
 Dehydrated costs $3 per lb, so consumers pay  3 times  as much for the dehydrated equivalent,  not 15 times .  
Thus the original argument’s 15× claim is based on an invalid unit comparison and is seriously flawed.
Other choices either describe irrelevant price forms or make general claims about convenience foods but do not expose the unit/concentration error the way (B) does.

Fresh potatoes generally cost about $2 for a 10-pound bag, whereas deh

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