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Milepost

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by greenwich » Wed Sep 15, 2010 1:58 pm
A milepost on the towpath read "21" on the side facing the hiker as she approached it and "23" on its back. She reasoned that the next milepost forward on the path would indicate that she was halfway between one end of the path and the other. However, the milepost one mile further on read "20" facing her and "24" behind.

Which of the following, if true, would explain the discrepancy described above?

(A) The numbers on the next milepost had been reversed.
(B) The numbers on the mileposts indicate kilometers, not miles.
(C) The facing numbers indicate miles to the end of the path, not miles from the beginning.
(D) A milepost was missing between the two the hiker encountered.
(E) The mileposts had originally been put in place for t he use of mountain bikers, not for hikers.

Please provide your reasoning.
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Source: — Critical Reasoning |

by ov25 » Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:23 pm
If the miles on stone are in decreasing order, then these must be the miles to dest...decrease as approach...same is true on the other side of the mile post.

imo C
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by hitmis » Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:29 pm
If the milepost gives the miles to the destination then as the hiker progresses the facing numbers would keep reducing in value. Hence from "21" it reduces to "20" when she completes a mile. Hence C is right.
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by this_time_i_will » Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:44 pm
C is crying to be picked up!
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by arpita@gurome » Thu Sep 16, 2010 12:37 am
This is a "Resolve Paradox" type question.

Reading the stimulus one thing is clear, the total distance is 21 + 23 = 44 miles. The solution can almost be prephrased:
1. The stones facing her are going to increase in number - in this case they represent miles covered
2. The stones facing her are going to decrease in number - in this case they represent miles to go
3. There is an issue with the numbers on the milepost. the chances of this are almost nil since the addition of the values given in the stimulus is 20 + 24 = 44.

Hence let's look at the choices:
A - Even if they were reversed they should still show 22/22 and not 20/24 or 24/20. Hence out.
B - Does not matter what the quantity the logic will remain same for Kilometers, miles, yards .......Hence out
C - Spot on this is point 2 above. Keep.
D - Tough to justify, these are mileposts if one were missing then this one should have read 19 (facing)/25 or 23/21 (the sum has to be 44), depending if the posts represent distance to go or distance from start, respectively.
E - Bikers, hunters .....hikers I believe all use the same mile. A sailor should be able to figure out the logic even though he would be thinking in terms of nautical miles. Discard.

Hence pick C
Arpita Sen
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Gurome, Inc.
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