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Difficulty: EasyAvoiding Out-of-Scope and 'Could Be True' Inference Traps

In 2025, every commercial solar farm operated by Helios Power produced more electricity than it did in 2024. During the same period, Helios Power neither acquired any new solar farms nor decommissioned any existing ones. Which of the following statements must be true based on the information above?

  1. The total electricity produced by all of Helios Power's commercial solar farms combined was greater in 2025 than in 2024.Answer
  2. B
    Helios Power generated higher financial profits from its commercial solar farms in 2025 than it did in 2024.
  3. C
    Technological improvements to equipment were the primary reason for the increased electricity output at Helios Power's solar farms.
  4. D
    Every commercial solar farm in the country experienced an increase in electricity production in 2025.
  5. E
    Any commercial solar farm that increased its electricity production in 2025 was operated by Helios Power.

Answer

The total electricity produced by all of Helios Power's commercial solar farms combined was greater in 2025 than in 2024.
The correct option is strictly guaranteed by combining the two premises. Since every farm in a fixed portfolio increased its electricity output from 2024 to 2025, the combined total output of that portfolio necessarily increased in 2025.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the given premises
Identified two key facts: (1) Each individual farm operated by Helios Power produced more electricity in 2025 than in 2024; (2) The roster of farms remained identical between both years.
Establishing the precise scope of facts prevents falling into out-of-scope or speculative inference traps.
2
Deduce the necessary conclusion
If every component of a fixed set increases in value, the total sum of the set must strictly increase.
A valid GMAT inference must be mathematically or logically guaranteed by the text without relying on external assumptions.
3
Evaluate the answer choices against strict logical necessity
The statement regarding total combined electricity output is guaranteed. All other choices introduce unstated causes, financial metrics, external entities, or invalid logical reversals.
Eliminating options that 'could be true' or fall outside the stated facts leaves the single 'must be true' statement.

Key Concept

Avoiding Out-of-Scope and 'Could Be True' Inference Traps
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Avoiding Out-of-Scope and 'Could Be True' Inference Traps

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