LSAT 133 | Section 1 | Logical Reasoning: Q9

LR Question 9 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Computer scientist: For several decades, the number of…

QUESTION TYPE: Must Be True

FACTS:

1. For several decades microchip computing speed has doubled every 18 months.
2. This was done by doubling the number of transistors.
3. From the mid 1990s to the early 2000s the cost of producing a microchip has also doubled every time the speed has doubled.

ANALYSIS: This is a reference to Moore’s Law.

We’re told that it was the doubling of transistors that doubled the speed. Since the price doubles whenever the speed doubles then the price must double when transistors double, too. (Because doubling transistors doubles speed)

Doubling transistors ➞ doubling speed ➞ doubling cost

(The logical chain above only applies to the mid 1990’s to the next decade)

___________

1. We know that transistors are one way to double the speed. But there might be other ways.
2. This is actually false. The cost of microchips frequently doubled during this period. That likely increased retail prices.
3. Prices did increase. But that doesn’t mean that no efforts were made to control prices. Prices might have been even higher otherwise.
4. CORRECT. Yup. During that period prices doubled whenever speed doubled.
5. Who knows? Prior to the mid 1990s we actually were able to double the speed without doubling the price. Maybe we can do it again.