These diagrams show the rules used to determine which of the birds (G, H, J, M, S, W) can be in the forest together.
Refer to these diagrams when solving this game. Copy them on your own page, and on each question make a new version of them in order to follow along with my explanations. You’ll learn much more if you draw along.
The setup section explains how to build this diagram.
Main Diagram
Review of How to Read the Diagrams:
- You can go left to right, and only left to right. Follow the arrows.
- If a positive variable (no line) leads to a variable with a line through it, then at least one is out (e.g. G and H). They could also both be out.
- If a negative variable leads to a positive variable, at least one if in (e.g S and J). They could both be in.
- If you start at a certain point on a diagram, then go rightwards from that point.
- Example: H is out. You know M and J are out, and S is in.
You don’t know anything about W and G, because they’re to the left. They could both be in, or both be out. Or W could be out and G could be in.
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jonah says
ha oops. i combined #7&8 and meant if J is not in then D) Neither M nor S are in must be False because S must be in if J is not. Mixed up the question of 7 with answer choices of 8. My bad, Nevertheless, I like my way. :D
jonah says
I’ve seen two ways to diagram this using the classic IN/OUT way and the branch method you describe. I preferred to write out the letters GHJMSW a few times and then during the questions circle the letter that is in and slash the letter that is out. So I have all 6 written and then if J is in I circle J, circle H, cross out G, cross out W. M & S are optional. If H is out, cross out J & M and circle S. Simple. Yes maybe it takes a few extra seconds to write out the letters but I found circling and slashing to be easiest for me. Your way may be more efficient but what’s more natural and comfortable and likely to minimize errors I think is best. For me, taking the extra little bit of time to write out the letters and circle and slash saves me time later because I will have previous work saved and I can see it on the paper. So #7 asks about if both M & H are in: i circle M & H and slash G & W. Boom answer D) because M cannot be in.
Anabel says
Hello,
I’d like to begin by saying great post! I have a better understanding of the game with this set-up. The only part of the game I have trouble with is question 11 and what happens to W. I do not understand the idea of W being a “free” variable and being able to choose to be in or out.
Thank you very much !
TutorLucas (LSAT Hacks) says
All the set-up is saying is that G and W don’t have one of the following kinds of relationships with each other:
1.) At least one is out
Or
2.) At least one is in
They could both be out, or both be in.
Re: Question 11 [Stop reading here if you’re another student reading this and haven’t already done this question]
We don’t need to worry about W. If G is in, we know from the second diagram that H, M, and J are out, and S is in (Answer Choice A). It doesn’t matter if W is in or W is out because either way there are no important repercussions.
Scenario 1: W is in, meaning (from the diagram) that G is in (which we already know)
Scenario 2: W is out, meaning nothing because nothing is to the right of “~W” on the diagram