LSAT 32, Game 3 Setup, Compositions

This is an explanation of the third logic game from Section III of LSAT preptest 32, the October 2010 LSAT.

Eight compositions will be performed in a concert (F, H, L, O, P, R, S, T). You must arrange the performances in sequence based on the rules.

Game Setup

This is a linear game. There are six rules, and success depends on knowing them all very well.

The easiest way to do this is to draw as many as you can directly on your diagram.

The first rule is fairly odd. I drew it like this:

T is the central point. So in each diagram, make sure T either has F after it or R before it.

The second rule says R and F can’t be together. They are at least two spaces apart:

(the plus sign is for the “at least”)

The arc above the box shows that this is reversible. R can’t be within two spaces before or after F.

The other rules can be put directly on the diagram:

People are often confused by the last rule. It’s just a complicated way of saying that O and S aren’t beside each other. So wherever you put O, draw a “not S” rule beside it.

Since P goes before S, P can’t go seventh and S can’t go first.

Here’s how to draw the fifth and sixth rules:

You should draw them separately and put them on your diagram.

There aren’t any more deductions to be made. This game depends on knowing the rules very well, and applying them. The most important rule is the third rule: a lot depends on where we place O, since that affects other rules.

L and H are the flexible variables. One goes eighth, while the other can go anywhere.

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