If coal mining companies in Coalalia adopt new mining technology more

Question

If coal mining companies in Coalalia adopt new mining technology more slowly than their foreign counterparts, their mining costs will fall more slowly than their foreign counterparts' costs. If their mining costs fall less rapidly than their foreign counterparts' costs, they will not be able to lower their prices as rapidly as their foreign counterparts can. When a country's mining companies cannot lower their prices as rapidly as their foreign counterparts, that country gets pushed out of the global supply market.

If the statements above are true, which of the following must be true?

A.If mining companies in one country raise their prices, it is because they have pushed their foreign counterparts out of the global market.
B.If a country's mining companies can lower their mining costs as rapidly as their foreign counterparts, this shows that they adopt new technology at least as fast as their foreign counterparts do.
C.If a country's foreign rivals can lower their mining costs more rapidly than the country, then it is likely that the foreign rivals have access to more efficient production techniques.
D.If a country's mining companies adopt new technologies at the same rate as their foreign counterparts, neither group will be able to push the other out of the global market.
E.If mining companies in one country have been pushed out of the global market, this shows that their foreign counterparts have adopted new technologies more rapidly than they have.

Bunuel · Answer

I think this is a copy of the following LSAT question: https://gmatclub.com/forum/when-the-man ... 06579.html

AbhishekP220108 · Answer

Bunuel , The argument structure, logic, and options are written along similar lines.

Let's look at the argument. Since the argument is presented as a conditional argument.

If X (adopting new mining tech is slower than foreign counterparts), then Y (mining costs fall more slowly than foreign counterparts). (X is sufficient; Y is necessary.)
If Y, then Z (lowering the price is also slower than foreign counterparts). (Y is sufficient; Z is necessary.)
If Z, then W (country pushed out of the global supply market). (Z is sufficient; W is necessary.)

Overall it is X-->Y-->Z-->W

The contrapositive of the argument will be (No W --> No Z --> No Y --> No X ) which will be true only.

Looking at the option choices, only option B is along the line of reasoning.

gmatftw777 · Answer

A. If mining companies in one country raise their prices, it is because they have pushed their foreign counterparts out...
Incorrect. The stimulus discusses the inability to lower prices. It provides no information regarding the reasons or results of raising prices.

B. If a country's mining companies can lower their mining costs as rapidly as their foreign counterparts, this shows that they adopt new technology at least as fast as their foreign counterparts do.
Correct. This is the contrapositive of the first sentence. The stimulus states: If Tech is Slower → Costs fall Slower. Logically, if the costs did not fall slower (they fell as rapidly), then the tech adoption could not have been slower. Therefore, they must have adopted tech at least as fast.

C. If a country's foreign rivals can lower their mining costs more rapidly than the country, then it is likely that the foreign rivals have access to more efficient production techniques.
Incorrect. While this sounds plausible, the stimulus only says slow tech leads to slow cost reduction. It does not state that tech is the only factor affecting costs. Furthermore, "must be true" questions require 100% certainty, not just a "likelihood."

D. If a country's mining companies adopt new technologies at the same rate as their foreign counterparts, neither group will be able to push the other out of the global market.
Incorrect. Even if tech adoption is equal, one country could still be pushed out for other reasons (e.g., higher labor costs or taxes) not mentioned in the text. The stimulus doesn't say tech is the only thing that determines market survival.

E. If mining companies in one country have been pushed out of the global market, this shows that their foreign counterparts have adopted new technologies more rapidly than they have.
Incorrect. This is a Mistaken Reversal. While slow tech adoption leads to being pushed out, being pushed out doesn't automatically prove slow tech was the cause. There could be other factors involved.

If coal mining companies in Coalalia adopt new mining technology more

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

If coal mining companies in Coalalia adopt new mining technology more

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards