• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

LSAT Hacks

The Explanations That Should Have Come With The LSAT

  • Start Here
    • About
  • LSAT Explanations
  • LSAT Courses
  • Tutoring
    • Tutoring
    • Mastery seminars
    • Course
    • Books
  • Blog
  • Login
LSAT Explanations » LSAT Preptest 74 » Logic Games » Game 4 Setup

LSAT 74, Game 4 Setup, Photographers, LSATHacks

LSAT 74 Explanations

LG Game 4 Setup, by LSATHacks

This is an explanation of the fourth logic game from Section II of LSAT Preptest 74, the December 2014 LSAT.

At least two photographers will be assigned to each of two graduation ceremonies. The graduation ceremonies will be held at Silva and Thorne University (S, T). The six photographers are Frost, Gonzalez, Heideck, Knutson, Lai, and Mays (F, G, H, K, L, M). The rules allow you to determine the possible assignments of the photographers.

Game Setup

This game can be divided into two scenarios that greatly simplify the game. This is a common trend on modern logic games, so be sure you understand this setup.

I recommend drawing the diagrams on a sheet of paper yourself in order to follow along. Ideally, print a fresh copy of the game to use.

In this game, there are two groups: Silva and Thorne. Each group needs at least two photographers:

LSAT Preptest 74, Game 4 Setup, Diagram 1

FH go together:

LSAT Preptest 74, Game 4 Setup, Diagram 2

Technically this is a linear diagram, but it works just as well for grouping. Using the same symbols in both cases makes for simpler diagrams.

Next, L and M can’t go together:

LSAT Preptest 74, Game 4 Setup, Diagram 3

Next, if G is in S, then L is in T:

LSAT Preptest 74, Game 4 Setup, Diagram 4

I drew the diagram and its contrapositive in this explanation. On my own sheet, I didn’t draw the contrapositive because I can do it in my head. When you are still learning contrapositives, draw them, but aim to be able to instantly see them in your head.

The next rule is complicated. It says that if K isn’t assigned to T, then H and M must both go in T.

We could leave it at that, but both H and M were mentioned in other rules. F is with H, and L can’t go with M. So the full effect of the rule is this:

LSAT Preptest 74, Game 4 Setup, Diagram 5

There’s still more. If something complicated happens when a rule occurs, follow the idea as far as it goes. It’s best to draw the scenario.

Lets do that. If K isn’t with T, then F, H and M are there:

LSAT Preptest 74, Game 4 Setup, Diagram 6

We also know that L isn’t with T, because M is there (rule 2). This affects rule 3: G can’t go with S.

LSAT Preptest 74, Game 4 Setup, Diagram 7

There’s till more. S needs at least two photographers. FHM are already at T. G can’t go to S. So only L and K are left, and they must go to S:

LSAT Preptest 74, Game 4 Setup, Diagram 8

Only G is left uncertain. They could go to T, or they could not be assigned. (Not all photographers have to go somewhere).

So if K isn’t assigned to T, then we know almost everything. The scenario above is the only possible scenario.

Therefore, in all other scenarios, K is assigned to T:

LSAT Preptest 74, Game 4 Setup, Diagram 9

Drawing K there may not seem like a major deduction, but this has two big effects.

  • We no longer have to remember the fourth rule. This significantly reduces the difficulty of working with the remaining rules.
  • The deduction about K solves question 18 completely, and largely solves 19, 20, and 21.

There are big payoffs for seeing if a game can be split into two scenarios.

Previous Question
Table Of Contents
Main Diagram




Want a free Logic Games lesson?

Get a free sample of the Logic Games Mastery Seminar. Learn tips for going faster at logic games

Hi, I'm Graeme Blake

I created LSATHacks, and scored a 177 on the LSAT.

Check out LSATHacks All Access

It's your one stop shop for LSAT prep: 1000s more explanations, and courses for both intro and advanced students. Lifetime access to everything on LSATHacks and anything I add. Plus a consult with me to get you started on the right track.
---------
Socials and Updates: If you have any questions, you can can check out my TikTok videos or email me.

For updates, sign up for my email list. I update whenever I have new posts.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jen says

    July 20, 2020 at 10:09 pm

    How do you know that K has to be placed?

    Reply
    • TutorRosalie (LSATHacks) says

      September 16, 2020 at 10:21 am

      Let’s look at the two diagrams separately. In the first diagram, where FH are assigned to T, the contrapositive of Rule F says that if M and FH are assigned to T, then K cannot be assigned to T. So, the options for K here are to either be assigned to S or not assigned. However, Rule 2 then says that L and M can’t be assigned together, so L has to be assigned to S. Rule 3 says that G can’t be with S (since L isn’t with T). The stimulus tells us that there has to be at least 2 photographers assigned to each school. FHM are at T already so they can’t go to S. G also can’t go to S. L and K MUST go to S. So, in this case, K has to be placed.

      In the second diagram, K has to be assigned to T so that there can be more scenarios in addition to the aforementioned. Why? Because not placing K would be the same as not placing K with T and would give the same effects. So, in order to explore the alternative scenarios, K must go with S.

      Reply
  2. Eugene says

    May 26, 2016 at 3:36 pm

    FH is mandatory based on Rule 1 and confirmed by Q20: Rule 1 states “F must be assigned together with H to one of the graduation ceremonies.” Q20 provides a MBT inference check – and every answer choice contains F and H.

    For me, I mostly agree but will try four frames if two “big” rules (2 rules x 2 rules = 4 frames) can be pushed together. In addition to revealing inferences, this simplifies the game by “eliminating” two rules that after the first question I’ll never have to check again, and saves time on the backside by quickly necking down possibilities for some local “If/then” and most global “Which of the following” Qs. That said, I agree that more than four frames risks wasting time due cluttered confusion and hypotheticals that don’t play out.

    Btw, thanks for the response and, especially, all the outstanding explanations – so clear and spot-on.

    Reply
    • TutorLucas (LSAT Hacks) says

      December 16, 2016 at 2:19 pm

      Yes, thanks for catching that part of the rule re: F and H. F and H must be placed. The explanation will be updated to reflect that.

      As for the templates, I also tend to limit the templates I draw to two–unless I have three very complete templates. I draw in the other possibilities as I do questions. I’ve found that any time that I save up-front by drawing out more than 3 templates is usually lost when I have to revisit every one of the 4+ templates to answer questions.

      That being said, I have seen a couple students be very successful at games by going beyond 2-3 templates, so I don’t rule it out as an approach.

      Reply
  3. Eugene says

    May 17, 2016 at 5:43 am

    Rules clarification: the FH block MUST be placed into one or the other (i.e., cannot be out). Recommend further splitting based on mandatory placement of FH block. Combined with placement of K (as outlined by Graeme) this maps out all frames and makes the game even faster.

    Reply
    • FounderGraeme says

      May 25, 2016 at 11:36 am

      Maybe I missed something: why do you say FH have to be placed? You could have this:

      S: G M
      T: K L

      So if you split on FH, you’d need to draw two scenarios for that + the scenario I drew in the explanation + the one in this comment. For me, personally, I find splitting into four scenarios too many, as it’s easier to create them as needed for questions.

      Reply
      • MemberCheyenne says

        July 14, 2020 at 9:02 pm

        Hi Graeme,

        This comment confuses me. The rule says that F and H must be assigned together to one of the graduation ceremonies. Therefore, I don’t understand how this scenario would work. Because I saw that rule, I immediately thought to divide the game based on FH in S or FH in T. Why did you choose to split based on K rather than FH?

        Reply
        • TutorRosalie (LSATHacks) says

          September 1, 2020 at 4:12 pm

          Splitting based on K would be simpler and only yield 2 diagrams. Splitting by FH would result in 3 diagrams. This is because of Rule 4, which says:
          ~KT –> HT and MT
          The contrapositive would be: it ~HT or ~MT –> KT

          Based on this conditional relationship, splitting by K ony results in 2 scenarios:
          1) If K is assigned to S (~KT), then you know that FHM have to be assigned to T, which leaves L to be assigned to S and G to either be assigned to T or not assigned.
          2) K is assigned to T, then FH would have to be assigned to S. Then G, L, M could or could not be assigned.

          This is a lot simpler than if you split by FH, which gives 3 scenarios (due to and/or):
          1) FH assigned to S and K assigned to T.
          2) FH assigned to T and K assigned to S.
          FH assigned to T and K also assigned to T (this is possible as long as M is not assigned to T).

          Reply
  4. Patrick says

    February 1, 2016 at 12:18 am

    What initially tipped you off that you could make this into 2 scenarios?

    Reply
    • FounderGraeme says

      May 16, 2016 at 7:16 am

      Good question. Because there was a conditional rule. Often, if games give a single sufficient condition, you can find two scenarios by making one where the condition occurs, and one where it doesn’t.

      In this case, the initial condition is “K not in T”

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Free LSAT Email Course

My best LSAT tips, straight to your inbox


New! LSATHacks All Access: Get every course on LSATHacks + members only explanations

LSATHacks Pro

Get a higher score with LSATHacks

LSAT Course, LSAT Mastery seminars, and 3,000 extra explanations. All for only $760 $349, satisfaction guaranteed. Sign up here: https://lsathacks.com/all-access/

Testimonials

Your emails are tremendously helpful. - Matt

Thanks for the tips! They were very helpful, and even make you feel like you studied a bit. Great insight and would love more! - Haj

Dear Graeme: MUCH MORE PLEASE!! Your explanations are very clear, and you give equal importance to why answers are WRONG, as well as why THE ANSWER is right!! Very well done. Thank you for all your efforts - Tom

These have been awesome. More please!!! - Caillie

The course was immensely helpful and has eased my nerves a lot. - Lovlean

© Copyright 2023 LSAT Hacks. All Rights Reserved. | FAQ/Legal

Disclaimer: Use of this site requires official LSAT preptests; the explanations are of no use without the preptests. If you do not have the accompanying preptests, you can find them here: LSAT preptests
LSAT is copyright of LSAC. LSAC does not review or endorse specific test preparation materials or services and has not reviewed this site.
×
Item Added to your Cart!
There are no products
Continue Shopping