Critical Reasoning

Radio stations with radio data system (RDS) technology broadcast special program information that only radios with an RDS feature can receive. Between 1994 and 1996, the number of RDS radio stations in Verdland increased from 250 to 600. However, since the number of RDS-equipped radios in Verdland was about the same in 1996 as in 1994, the number of Verdlanders receiving the special program information probably did not increase significantly.

a. Few if any of the RDS radio stations that began broadcasting in Verdland after 1994 broadcast to people with RDS-equipped radios living in areas not previously reached by RDS stations.

b. In 1996, Verdlanders who did not own radios equipped to receive RDS could not receive any programming from the RDS radio stations that began broadcasting in Verdland after 1994.

Please evaluate my thought process for negating these 2 statements to see if the argument is weakened.

a. If many of the RDS radio stations that began broadcasting in Verdland after 1994 broadcasted to people with RDS radios living in areas that previously could not be reached by RDS stations, then the 350 increase in number of radio stations correlates to an increase in listeners.

b. 1996, if Vernlanders who did not own RDS radios COULD receive broadcasting from the RDS radio stations, then the increase of 350 radio stations without the increase in RDS radios correlates to an increase in listeners.

both negatation works! where am i going wrong?

B doesn't work. Even if they can now receive broadcasting, they still can't received the special program information because they don't have RDS radios.

Bill@VeritasPrep wrote:B doesn't work. Even if they can now receive broadcasting, they still can't received the special program information because they don't have RDS radios.

so B is wrong because they didn't specify what kind of programming the non-RDS radios could pick up from RDS radio stations even though RDS radio station frequencies are picked up by non-RDS radios?

The conclusion was about the special program information: "the number of Verdlanders receiving the special program information probably did not increase significantly." Even if non-RDS radios could pick up the broadcasts, they would not receive that special information. Thus, it has no effect on the conclusion.

Bill@VeritasPrep wrote:The conclusion was about the special program information: "the number of Verdlanders receiving the special program information probably did not increase significantly." Even if non-RDS radios could pick up the broadcasts, they would not receive that special information. Thus, it has no effect on the conclusion.

why would they not receive the special information?

I posted an explanation for this CR here:

https://www.beatthegmat.com/rds-technology-t99459.html

fangtray wrote:Radio stations with radio data system (RDS) technology broadcast special program information that only radios with an RDS feature can receive. Between 1994 and 1996, the number of RDS radio stations in Verdland increased from 250 to 600. However, since the number of RDS-equipped radios in Verdland was about the same in 1996 as in 1994, the number of Verdlanders receiving the special program information probably did not increase significantly.

a. Few if any of the RDS radio stations that began broadcasting in Verdland after 1994 broadcast to people with RDS-equipped radios living in areas not previously reached by RDS stations.

b. In 1996, Verdlanders who did not own radios equipped to receive RDS could not receive any programming from the RDS radio stations that began broadcasting in Verdland after 1994.

Please evaluate my thought process for negating these 2 statements to see if the argument is weakened.

a. If many of the RDS radio stations that began broadcasting in Verdland after 1994 broadcasted to people with RDS radios living in areas that previously could not be reached by RDS stations, then the 350 increase in number of radio stations correlates to an increase in listeners.

b. 1996, if Vernlanders who did not own RDS radios COULD receive broadcasting from the RDS radio stations, then the increase of 350 radio stations without the increase in RDS radios correlates to an increase in listeners.

both negatation works! where am i going wrong?

Answer choice B, negated: Verdlanders who did not own radios equipped to receive RDS could receive SOME programming from the RDS radio stations.
PREMISE: ONLY RADIOS WITH AN RDS FEATURE can receive the special program information.
CONCLUSION: The number of Verdlanders receiving the SPECIAL program information probably did not increase significantly.

The negation of B has no effect on the conclusion: Even if the Verdlanders without RDS radios could receive SOME programming, they still could NOT receive the SPECIAL program information.
Since the negation of B does not invalidate the conclusion, B is not the necessary assumption.
Eliminate B.

fangtray wrote:

Bill@VeritasPrep wrote:The conclusion was about the special program information: "the number of Verdlanders receiving the special program information probably did not increase significantly." Even if non-RDS radios could pick up the broadcasts, they would not receive that special information. Thus, it has no effect on the conclusion.

why would they not receive the special information?

Because the special information requires an RDS radio: "special program information that only radios with an RDS feature can receive."

Bill@VeritasPrep wrote:

fangtray wrote:

Bill@VeritasPrep wrote:The conclusion was about the special program information: "the number of Verdlanders receiving the special program information probably did not increase significantly." Even if non-RDS radios could pick up the broadcasts, they would not receive that special information. Thus, it has no effect on the conclusion.

why would they not receive the special information?

Because the special information requires an RDS radio: "special program information that only radios with an RDS feature can receive."

Gotcha. thanks Bill! I was assuming that because a regular non-RDS radio can receive broadcasting from RDS radio stations, they would also receive special information broadcasts as well.. I guess the radio just goes into static when the RDS radio station begins a special information broadcast?

I'm picturing someone with a non-RDS radio, listening to music from a RDS radio station, and suddenly when the RDS radio station begins to broadcast special information, the listener gets nothing but static..or something causes the radio to miraculously turn off. Perhaps with these CR questions you need to not assume ANYTHING whatsoever instead of what is stated in the premise.

I interpreted it as being broadcast alongside the normal audio transmission, like how some car radios will display "now playing" information for the current radio station. We're definitely getting beyond the scope of the question at that point, though