LSAT 134 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q6

LR Question 6 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Beck: Our computer program estimates municipal automotive use …

QUESTION TYPE: Flawed Reasoning

CONCLUSION: The computer program’s estimates are accurate.

REASONING: The estimates are very consistent from week to week.

ANALYSIS: Beck argues that the program gives pretty much the same results every week, therefore it’s accurate.

But those are two different ideas. A program can be consistent without being correct.

Imagine a bathroom scale that always says you weigh 150 pounds. If you actually weigh 165 pounds, then the scale is very consistent but completely inaccurate.

The same is true here. The program could produce the same wrong estimates every week. The argument assumes that because the output is consistent, it must also be accurate.

___________

1. The argument isn’t comparing consistency and accuracy. It’s trying to use consistency as evidence of accuracy. That’s the real issue.
2. The program’s other tasks are irrelevant. We’re only discussing its estimates of municipal automotive use.
3. Tempting, but the opposite of the flaw. The argument assumes: consistent → accurate. It does not assume that inaccurate programs are consistent, which is what this answer says.
4. The argument isn’t evaluating the program’s overall value. It’s only making a claim about its accuracy.
5. CORRECT. The program might produce the same wrong answer every week. Consistency alone doesn’t show accuracy.