UPDATE: See the explanation for this Logic Game's setup.
***
LSAC could drive us crazy with a Logic Game based entirely on gods and goddesses whose names begin with the letter "A".
To be fair, LSAC has never done this before. In fact, you'll generally find that the variables in most Logic Games don't share the same first letter, allowing you to easily represent "apple" as "A", "banana" as "B", etc.
You've probably become so dependent on this norm that if you came across a game with multiple variables (people/places/things) possessing the same first letter, you wouldn't know what to do.
I know you're thinking:
***
LSAC could drive us crazy with a Logic Game based entirely on gods and goddesses whose names begin with the letter "A".
To be fair, LSAC has never done this before. In fact, you'll generally find that the variables in most Logic Games don't share the same first letter, allowing you to easily represent "apple" as "A", "banana" as "B", etc.
You've probably become so dependent on this norm that if you came across a game with multiple variables (people/places/things) possessing the same first letter, you wouldn't know what to do.
I know you're thinking:
This will never happen. There are dozens of PrepTests out there, and LSAC wasn't cruel in any of them in the way you've described. Stop giving them ideas!
True. LSAC hasn't ever made a game with all the variables beginning with the same letter. However, LSAC also hadn't ever written a game with virtually no room to diagram, but then the 4th Logic Game of the June 2009 LSAT came along. Since they already messed with the sacred diagram-drawing space, I wouldn't put it past them to start messing with the variables.
As for giving LSAC ideas, I'm sure they've already considered doing a game with all "X"s or "Z"s or something wicked like that. If they do, you'll now be ready for it.
How? Because you're about to do a Logic Game with multiple variables that start with the same letter. This game has 5 "A" variables and 2 "D" variables.
(There are no real Logic Games out there like this one, so I had to write my own. I know I always advise against using fake LSAT questions. However, I've modeled this on a few recent actual LSAT Logic Games, so I'm confident this is a fairly legitimate representation of what a Basic Linear Logic Game is like, if on the easier side.)
What's the magic technique to deal with a game like this? Believe it or not, it's nothing crazy. When you diagram the rules and draw slots, use the first couple of letters instead of only the first letter. This will allow you to distinguish between the variables without writing out their full names.
I know many of you are just starting out, so I've also posted an "easier" version of this logic game. It contains identical rules and associated questions - only the scenario and names of the variables are different.
However, I recommend you try out the more difficult version first just to get a sense of how reliant you are on having different letters for each variable.
Be adaptive. Think about ways LSAC could make Logic Games harder and be ready for whatever they throw at you.
***
LSAC is obsessed with using cars and trucks as Logic Game topics (someone's childhood obsession, perhaps, like dinosaurs). Well, I loved mythology as a kid, so I'm subjecting you to gods and goddesses from Greek mythology in my Logic Game (non-Greek deities will be used in future Logic Games, not to worry).
(I consider both versions to be pretty easy. The only thing that makes this version especially "hard" is the variables themselves. Aside from that twist, upcoming Logic Games that I write will be significantly more difficult.)
***
Here's the "hard version" of the game:
Seven Greek deities are fighting to establish a hierarchy of power on Mount Olympus. They are Aphrodite, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Demeter, and Dionysus. No other deities participate in the fighting, and the hierarchy will establish an ordering of the seven deities from most powerful to least powerful. No two deities will be equally powerful.
The hierarchy of power must be established in accordance with the following restrictions:
(A) Artemis, Demeter, Apollo, Ares, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Athena
(B) Artemis, Apollo, Ares, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Athena, Demeter
(C) Demeter, Artemis, Apollo, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Athena, Ares
(D) Artemis, Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite, Demeter, Dionysus, Athena
(E) Athena, Ares, Artemis, Apollo, Aphrodite, Demeter, Dionysus
2. If Dionysus is the fifth most powerful deity, each of the following could be true EXCEPT:
(A) The second most powerful deity is Apollo.
(B) The third most powerful deity is Ares.
(C) The third most powerful deity is Athena.
(D) The sixth most powerful deity is Demeter.
(E) The seventh most powerful deity is Athena.
3. If Artemis and Apollo are the first and second most powerful deities, respectively, how many different hierarchies could there be?
(A) one
(B) two
(C) three
(D) four
(E) five
4. If Athena is the second most powerful deity, but Aphrodite is NOT the fourth most powerful deity, each of the following could be true EXCEPT:
(A) Ares falls immediately before Aphrodite in the hierarchy.
(B) Ares falls immediately after Dionysus in the hierarchy.
(C) Apollo falls immediately before Ares in the hierarchy.
(D) Aphrodite falls immediately before Ares in the hierarchy.
(E) Aphrodite falls immediately after Demeter in the hierarchy.
5. If the condition that Dionysus cannot be the least powerful deity is removed, and Dionysus then falls to the bottom of the hierarchy, but all other conditions remain in effect, which one of the following is now a complete list of deities, any one of which could be third most powerful?
(A) Ares, Artemis, Athena
(B) Demeter, Ares, Athena
(C) Demeter, Ares, Artemis, Athena
(D) Demeter, Aphrodite, Ares, Artemis
(E) Demeter, Apollo, Ares, Artemis
***
The text below contains the answers to the above Logic Game.
1. A
2. B
3. D
4. D
5. C
***
Having trouble with this Logic Game? See a step-by-step explanation of this Logic Game's setup with the easier version of this game - that game contains identical logic to this one and is a bit easier because the letters associated with the variables don't repeat.
***
Photo by sebastiagiralt
(Athena, the patron goddess of Athens, was said to have been born fully grown from the head of Zeus. Here Zeus sits on his throne holding his thunderbolt, as the goddess springs from his head in full armor. Hephaistos, who is usually present with the axe he used to split his father's skull, is absent, but Hermes and Apollo look on at left, and at right Ares and a goddess, possibly Aphrodite, observe the miraculous birth.)
As for giving LSAC ideas, I'm sure they've already considered doing a game with all "X"s or "Z"s or something wicked like that. If they do, you'll now be ready for it.
How? Because you're about to do a Logic Game with multiple variables that start with the same letter. This game has 5 "A" variables and 2 "D" variables.
(There are no real Logic Games out there like this one, so I had to write my own. I know I always advise against using fake LSAT questions. However, I've modeled this on a few recent actual LSAT Logic Games, so I'm confident this is a fairly legitimate representation of what a Basic Linear Logic Game is like, if on the easier side.)
What's the magic technique to deal with a game like this? Believe it or not, it's nothing crazy. When you diagram the rules and draw slots, use the first couple of letters instead of only the first letter. This will allow you to distinguish between the variables without writing out their full names.
I know many of you are just starting out, so I've also posted an "easier" version of this logic game. It contains identical rules and associated questions - only the scenario and names of the variables are different.
However, I recommend you try out the more difficult version first just to get a sense of how reliant you are on having different letters for each variable.
Be adaptive. Think about ways LSAC could make Logic Games harder and be ready for whatever they throw at you.
***
LSAC is obsessed with using cars and trucks as Logic Game topics (someone's childhood obsession, perhaps, like dinosaurs). Well, I loved mythology as a kid, so I'm subjecting you to gods and goddesses from Greek mythology in my Logic Game (non-Greek deities will be used in future Logic Games, not to worry).
(I consider both versions to be pretty easy. The only thing that makes this version especially "hard" is the variables themselves. Aside from that twist, upcoming Logic Games that I write will be significantly more difficult.)
***
Here's the "hard version" of the game:
Seven Greek deities are fighting to establish a hierarchy of power on Mount Olympus. They are Aphrodite, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Demeter, and Dionysus. No other deities participate in the fighting, and the hierarchy will establish an ordering of the seven deities from most powerful to least powerful. No two deities will be equally powerful.
The hierarchy of power must be established in accordance with the following restrictions:
There must be exactly two deities more powerful than Dionysus but less powerful than Apollo.1. Which one of the following could be the hierarchy of power, from most powerful to least?
Dionysus cannot be the least powerful deity.
Apollo cannot be more powerful than Artemis.
Demeter cannot be the next most powerful deity after Athena, nor can Athena be the next most powerful deity after Demeter.
Aphrodite must be either the 4th or 5th most powerful.
(A) Artemis, Demeter, Apollo, Ares, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Athena
(B) Artemis, Apollo, Ares, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Athena, Demeter
(C) Demeter, Artemis, Apollo, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Athena, Ares
(D) Artemis, Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite, Demeter, Dionysus, Athena
(E) Athena, Ares, Artemis, Apollo, Aphrodite, Demeter, Dionysus
2. If Dionysus is the fifth most powerful deity, each of the following could be true EXCEPT:
(A) The second most powerful deity is Apollo.
(B) The third most powerful deity is Ares.
(C) The third most powerful deity is Athena.
(D) The sixth most powerful deity is Demeter.
(E) The seventh most powerful deity is Athena.
3. If Artemis and Apollo are the first and second most powerful deities, respectively, how many different hierarchies could there be?
(A) one
(B) two
(C) three
(D) four
(E) five
4. If Athena is the second most powerful deity, but Aphrodite is NOT the fourth most powerful deity, each of the following could be true EXCEPT:
(A) Ares falls immediately before Aphrodite in the hierarchy.
(B) Ares falls immediately after Dionysus in the hierarchy.
(C) Apollo falls immediately before Ares in the hierarchy.
(D) Aphrodite falls immediately before Ares in the hierarchy.
(E) Aphrodite falls immediately after Demeter in the hierarchy.
5. If the condition that Dionysus cannot be the least powerful deity is removed, and Dionysus then falls to the bottom of the hierarchy, but all other conditions remain in effect, which one of the following is now a complete list of deities, any one of which could be third most powerful?
(A) Ares, Artemis, Athena
(B) Demeter, Ares, Athena
(C) Demeter, Ares, Artemis, Athena
(D) Demeter, Aphrodite, Ares, Artemis
(E) Demeter, Apollo, Ares, Artemis
***
The text below contains the answers to the above Logic Game.
1. A
2. B
3. D
4. D
5. C
***
Having trouble with this Logic Game? See a step-by-step explanation of this Logic Game's setup with the easier version of this game - that game contains identical logic to this one and is a bit easier because the letters associated with the variables don't repeat.
***
Photo by sebastiagiralt
(Athena, the patron goddess of Athens, was said to have been born fully grown from the head of Zeus. Here Zeus sits on his throne holding his thunderbolt, as the goddess springs from his head in full armor. Hephaistos, who is usually present with the axe he used to split his father's skull, is absent, but Hermes and Apollo look on at left, and at right Ares and a goddess, possibly Aphrodite, observe the miraculous birth.)
Just wanted to say that the first question earned a few G.O.B.-esque "Come on!"s from me for having no choices that violated some of the easier to pick out rules (Art>Apo and Aph 4th/5th). It's the same thing I do for every logic game that pulls a similar stunt, but I don't have a easy way of telling LSAC how much it annoys my sense of easy point entitlement.
ReplyDeleteOther than that, I look forward to more of these. It's kind of weird, but it was a nice start to the day.
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why not D on #1 ?
ReplyDeleteHe lists Athena twice and leaves out Ares, and the only other option is A.
DeleteNice Steve! I did the hardest version and was able to complete it! This is a good sign right..lol. You’re an awesome tutor. Please don't ever work for those evil people at LSAC...lol..(j/k).
ReplyDeleteJae I was right there with you, I stared between it and (A) for a lot longer than I should have because all of the 'A' names blended together. If LSAC does get this villainous on September's test I'll know now to actually read past the first two letters of the choices.
ReplyDeleteNice work, Steve. It took me longer than 8:45 (about 10min). But once I got passed staring at #1 and finally figured it out, I cruised like G.O.B. on his Segway.
ReplyDeleteIt took me approximately 11 minutes.
ReplyDeleteMy method was to create a layout with three options (using the link between Aphro-Dion-Apollo, created by the clues) and then use these options to work with the questions:
Option 1: 1 – Art; 2 – Apol; 3 – Athe/Deme; 4 – Aph, 5 – Dion; 6 – …; 7 – …
Option 2: 1 – Art/…; 2 –Art/…; 3 – Apol; 4 – Aph, 5 – …; 6 – Dion; 7 – …
Option 3: 1 – Art/…; 2 –Art/…; 3 – Apol; 4 – …, 5 – Aph; 6 – Dion; 7 – …
I think the similar-sounding deity names made the game harder and more time-consuming (since it requires more writing and checking with the clues).
Wow, #1 really threw me. I've never seen a straight-up sequencing game where one of the answer choices is wrong because it doubles up on one variable and leaves out another.
ReplyDeleteAgreed - I even set it aside to finish the other ones. After coming back to answer it, I finally saw the duplication.
DeleteMy god, you're right! I was really worried there for a while because I thought I had missed some key implications of the rules (or even had misread the rules altogether!). But then when I got the rest right without much trouble, I figured it was something stupid like a duplication.
DeleteThe point is, don't ignore the rules in the setup, if you can't find a violation in the indented rules.
ReplyDeleteI just found a really funny poem about the LSAT, check it out:)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.authspot.com/Poetry/LSAT-The-Poem.238629
thanks! didn't think it was particularly hard either. thanks for having this blog.
ReplyDeleteCan someone explain Number 4? I have the sequence as 1.Artemis 2.Athena(given) 3.Apollo, 4.Ares or Dem 5.Aphrodite(given) 6.Dionysus 7.Ares or Dem. Given this, I thought answer should be C "Apollo falls immediately before Ares in the hierarchy". Why is answer D?
ReplyDeleteIt's a could be true EXCEPT question. As you have in your (correct) sequence, Aphrodite can only ever fall immediately before Dionysus, so (D) is the only choice that could never be true.
ReplyDeleteThe correct answer on # 4 was D because if Aphrodite fell immediately before Ares then Dionysus would be number 7 in the hierarchy therefore breaking rule 2.
ReplyDeletealso, make sure to read the question stem carefully to understand what the question is asking (watch for "EXCEPT"). In this case, your sequence is true, you need to find which one is false. If Aphrodite is not 4th, she must be 5th (rule 5). If she is 5th, if we place Ares 4th or 7th. Either way Aphrodite is not immediately before Ares and therefore D is false, and it's the correct response.
ReplyDeleteGreat confidence booster!! I needed this... Thank you and LOVE the blog!
ReplyDeleteTime consuming but do- able; piece of cake.
ReplyDelete"There must be exactly two deities more powerful than Dionysus but less powerful than Apollo." Doesn't this set up a block rule in which there are exactly two deities between Dionysus and Apollo; e.g., Di _ _ Ap?
ReplyDeleteIf so, how can question 2 even be valid? Am I just reading the rule incorrectly?
Help!
Woops, never mind. I was reading the question incorrectly. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteWhy is 5 C, why not D?
ReplyDeletenvm didnt read it close enough
ReplyDeleteFor question 2 I picked A quickly, because it's not that that statement COULD be true it's that it MUST be true. Is that an unreasonably strict way to approach the wording of questions on the real LSAT? I understand it wasn't the best answer, but given the simple trick in the first question I thought this might be the same thing at first glance.
ReplyDeleteCan someone explain 1?
ReplyDeleteWhy is 3 D and not C....these are my three combos placing Artemis 1st and Apollo 2nd:
ReplyDelete1: Artemus, Apollo, Demeter, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Athena, Ares
2: Artemus, Apollo, Athena, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Demeter, Ares
3: Artemus, Apollo, Demeter, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Ares, Athena
4: Can't be done because that will place Athena next to Demeter which can't happen due to the rules and Dionysus can't be moved because there must be 2 deities between him and Apollo, & Aphrodite can't be moved or that will place too many deities between Apollo and Dionysus).
Would Steve or someone mind bringing surety to my confusion?
Hey, I was trying to figure out this too and it just hit me though you are probably in law school now lol
DeleteThe first three are correct but you forgot this one.
4. Artemus, Apollo, *Athena, Aphrodite, Dionysus, *Demeter, Ares
Athena and Demeter could be placed 2 times each infront or behind Ares.
You missed: Artemus, Apollo, Athena, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Ares, Demeter
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve! I was able to do this and got it correct. However, you included this post as an assignment for Day 1, which was all about diagramming using the branches. I did this problem using the _ _ _ _ _ _ method. Should I have done it with branches? I am still having a little trouble with the branched method...thanks!
ReplyDeleteHey Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteGlad you got it! Yes, I would set up this game as you did (and will eventually write an explanation of the setup).
See the explanation for the setup of my Pure Sequencing LSAT Logic Game for some discussion of the differences.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhy is #4 on the hard seq not b?
ReplyDeleteThe rules here say Athena has to be second and Aphrodite has to be 5th so if we set that up we have
Deleteblank, Athena, blank, blank, Aphrodite, blank, blank
since dinosyus is last but has to have two spaces between him and apollo, the only place they fit in is like so
blank, athena, apollo, blank, aphrodite, dinosyus, blank
Artemis has to be strong than apollo
artemis, athena, apollo, blank, aphrodite, dinosyus, blank
B states that ares cannot fall after dinosyus which is incorrect as
Artemis, athena, apollo, demeter, aphrodite, dinosyus, ares
is a propper sequence without violating rules. The answer is D. that Aprhodite can not be directly before ares because if she did the sequence would look like this
Artemis Athena Apollo Demeter Aphrodite Ares Dinosyus which would violate the rule that Dinosyus cannot be last.
Does choice D on #1 violate any rules?
ReplyDeleteDuplicates Athena.
DeleteIs it a bad sign if I am just starting this study but it takes me forever to figure out the correct answer?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the meaning of "most powerful?" Does it mean you count from the most to least? Or does it mean you count from the least to most? For intance, is Athena either 3rd/4th (counting from the most) or 4th/5th (counting from the least)?
ReplyDeleteWhy is 5 C,? Could you please explain...
ReplyDeleteSince Dinosyus is last in this sequence we can start by setting up based on the rules
DeleteWe know since dinosyus is last we have to put apoloo in 4th. Since Aphrodite has to be 4th or 5th then she defaults to 5th.
blank, blank, blank, apollo, aphrodite, blank, dinosyus
Now the possibilities here are pretty infinite but i'll just show how each of the choices can be 3rd
Artemis, Demeter, Ares, Apollo, aphrodite, athena, dinosyus
Artemis, Ares, Demeter, Apollo, aphrodite, athena, dinosyus
Ares, Demeter, Artemis, Apollo, Aphrodite, athena, dinosyus
Demeter, Artemis, Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite, Ares, Dinosyus
Hope that helps!
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