Conditional Reasoning

Question 1

Mistaken Reversal

Answer 1

switches the elements in the sufficient and necessary conditions, creating a statement that does not have to be true

Question 2

Mistaken Negation

Answer 2

negates both conditions, creating a statement that does not have to be true

Question 3

Words used to introduce a sufficient condition

Answer 3

if, when, whenever, every, all, any, each, in order to, people who

Question 4

Does “if” introduce a sufficient or necessary condition?

Answer 4

sufficient condition

Question 5

Does “when” introduce a sufficient or necessary condition?

Answer 5

sufficient condition

Question 6

Does “whenever” introduce a sufficient or necessary condition?

Answer 6

sufficient condition

Question 7

Does “every” introduce a sufficient or necessary condition?

Answer 7

sufficient condition

Question 8

Does “all” introduce a sufficient or necessary condition?

Answer 8

sufficient condition

Question 9

Does “any” introduce a sufficient or necessary condition?

Answer 9

sufficient condition

Question 10

Does “each” introduce a sufficient or necessary condition?

Answer 10

sufficient condition

Question 11

Does “in order to” introduce a sufficient or necessary condition?

Answer 11

sufficient condition

Question 12

Does “people who” introduce a sufficient or necessary condition?

Answer 12

sufficient condition

Question 13

Words used to introduce a necessary condition

Answer 13

then, only, only if, must, required, unless, except, until, without

Question 14

Does “then” introduce a sufficient or necessary condition?

Answer 14

necessary condition

Question 15

Does “only” introduce a sufficient or necessary condition?

Answer 15

necessary condition

Question 16

Does “only if” introduce a sufficient or necessary condition?

Answer 16

necessary condition

Question 17

Does “must” introduce a sufficient or necessary condition?

Answer 17

necessary condition

Question 18

Does “required” introduce a sufficient or necessary condition?

Answer 18

necessary condition

Question 19

Does “unless” introduce a sufficient or necessary condition?

Answer 19

necessary condition

Question 20

Does “except” introduce a sufficient or necessary condition?

Answer 20

necessary condition

Question 21

Does “until” introduce a sufficient or necessary condition?

Answer 21

necessary condition

Question 22

Does “without” introduce a sufficient or necessary condition?

Answer 22

necessary condition

Question 23

Unless Equation

Answer 23

1) Whatever term is modified by “unless,” “except,” “until,” or “without” becomes the necessary condition.
2) The remaining term is negated and becomes the sufficient condition.

An alternatve interpretation for “unless” (and its synonym) is “if not”

Question 24

What is special about “the only”

Answer 24

when “the only” appears, be careful since physically it appears just before the sufficient condition (although the “only” still ultimately modifies the necessary condition).

Question 25

Classic Combination

Answer 25

When a stimulus that contains Conditional reasoning is combined with a Must Be True question stem, immediately look for the Repeat form or Contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid Mistaken Reversals and Mistaken Negations.

Question 26

Diagram for “Either A or B”

Answer 26

~A -> B

contrapositive: ~B -> A

Question 27

Diagram for “Either A or B, but not both”

Answer 27

~A->B (from the either/or) and its contrapositive

+

A -> ~B and its contrapositive

Question 28

What is special about “than either”

Answer 28

when the phrase “than either” is used, the “either” translates to “both”