Kaplan CR Q5

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confuse mind: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 462; Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 1:08 pmFollowed by: 4 members; Thanked: 10 times

by confuse mind » Sun Aug 19, 2012 8:20 pm

A certain computer program creates temporary files on the computer on which it is installed. The files contain a programming error, or "bug", that, in rare cases, may cause the computer to freeze up. The temporary files are purged 90 days after the program is installed. Since no program will copy the bug to any other file, any computer containing the program that freezes more than 90 days after the program has been installed does not freeze because of this program.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the conclusion above?

A. A computer that freezes due to the installation of the program in question produces a display that is similar to that which is displayed when computers freeze for many other reasons.

B. The code that causes the freezing will be eliminated in a future release of the program.

C. Other bugs in the programming may reveal themselves more than 90 days after the program is installed.

D. A person can copy the programming code containing the bug to other files that are purged with less frequency than the temporary files.

E. There are some computers on which the program is installed that appear to be unaffected by the programming bug.

Confused between C and D.

Source: Beat The GMAT — Critical Reasoning | Sun Aug 19, 2012 8:20 pm

techyrajeev: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 23; Joined: Mon May 25, 2009 9:58 pm; Thanked: 1 times; GMAT Score:710

by techyrajeev » Sun Aug 19, 2012 10:52 pm

This question is just the reconstruction of OG12: I am surprised that even right answer is placed at the same position as was placed in OG

Sartaj: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 13; Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2011 7:21 pm

by Sartaj » Sun Aug 19, 2012 11:26 pm

My answer is D.

Why not C?

The question asks us to weaken the conclusion that the computer will not freeze after 90 days because of the program. To weaken this we have to prove that "THE COMPUTER WILL FREEZE AFTER 90 DAYS BECAUSE OF THE PROGRAM."

Option C states that 'other bugs' (that is bugs from other programs) will reveal themselves after 90 days. However, we have to stick ourselves to 'that program' ONLY.

Option D states that a person may copy a code from 'that program' to another location. Seems correct.

What's the answer?

tisrar02: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 130; Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2012 8:13 amFollowed by: 4 members; Location: Toronto, Ontario; Thanked: 16 times; GMAT Score:650

by tisrar02 » Mon Aug 20, 2012 9:31 am

I believe the answer is D.

The argument states that the programming bug will only be in the temporary files and that they are purged after 90 days meaning that no bug associated with the program will affect the computer after 90 days.

Weaken: If after 90 days that program bug is still freezing the computer, then clearly the file has not only affected the temporary file but other files that are purged at lesser frequency thus weakens the argument.

Dedication is what leads to success...

hjafferi: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 83; Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 12:42 am

by hjafferi » Thu Aug 23, 2012 5:32 am

IMO D

Only option D Gives the reason that computers that hang after 90 days could be because of the same program.

In option C a new set of bugs is given. Out of scope as no discussion was made regarding any new bugs.

alex.gellatly: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 435; Joined: Wed Nov 16, 2011 7:27 amFollowed by: 16 members; Thanked: 48 times

by alex.gellatly » Thu Aug 23, 2012 7:55 pm

confuse mind wrote:A certain computer program creates temporary files on the computer on which it is installed. The files contain a programming error, or "bug", that, in rare cases, may cause the computer to freeze up. The temporary files are purged 90 days after the program is installed. Since no program will copy the bug to any other file, any computer containing the program that freezes more than 90 days after the program has been installed does not freeze because of this program. <-- This is our conclusion and we need to find something, if true, would weaken the argument. It's very important to note that the conclusion directly said THIS PROGRAM. So any other reason why the computer would freeze besides THIS PROGRAM is invalid. Lets look at the answers:

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the conclusion above?

A. A computer that freezes due to the installation of the program in question produces a display that is similar to that which is displayed when computers freeze for many other reasons. This is irrelevant to the argument.

B. The code that causes the freezing will be eliminated in a future release of the program. This strengthens the argument

C. Other bugs in the programming may reveal themselves more than 90 days after the program is installed. This statement is invalid because it states OTHER BUGS, the conclusion directly said THIS PROBLEM.

D. A person can copy the programming code containing the bug to other files that are purged with less frequency than the temporary files. This is the correct answers because it explains how the problem could continue after the 90day period. Again, the is directly talking about the SAME bug.

E. There are some computers on which the program is installed that appear to be unaffected by the programming bug. This is completely irrelevant to the argument.

Let me know if this helps!

A useful website I found that has every quant OG video explanation:

https://www.beatthegmat.com/useful-websi ... tml#475231

mohan514: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 82; Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2012 8:33 pm; Location: india

by mohan514 » Fri Aug 24, 2012 7:57 am

yes clearly D is the only option which prolongs the time after which there is a possibility of bug causing the system to freeze

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