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Difficulty: EasySufficient Assumption

Match each argument below with the sufficient assumption that logically guarantees its conclusion. Note that one assumption provided is an incorrect trap.

  • The proposed highway expansion will increase traffic flow. Thus, the expansion should be approved.Any infrastructure project that increases traffic flow should be approved.
  • The recently discovered compound contains carbon. Thus, the compound is organic.All chemical compounds that contain carbon are organic.
  • The new novel was written by a Nobel laureate. Thus, it will win the book of the year award.Any novel written by a Nobel laureate will win the book of the year award.
  • The manufacturing plant uses solar power. Thus, the plant is environmentally friendly.All facilities that use solar power are environmentally friendly.

Answer

Highway expansion matches with 'increases traffic flow should be approved'; carbon compound matches with 'contain carbon are organic'; Nobel novel matches with 'written by a Nobel laureate will win'; solar plant matches with 'use solar power are environmentally friendly'.
Each correctly matched assumption follows the formal logic pattern: 'Premise -> Conclusion'. By establishing this universal rule, the fact provided in the premise becomes sufficient to definitively prove the conclusion.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze each argument to identify its stated premise and its final conclusion.
For example, in the first argument, Premise: 'will increase traffic flow', Conclusion: 'should be approved'.
Finding the structural components of the argument is the first step in identifying the missing logical gap.
2
Determine the required sufficient assumption by linking the premise directly to the conclusion.
The correct format for the assumption is 'If [Premise], then [Conclusion]'. For the first argument, this means 'If it increases traffic flow, it should be approved'.
A sufficient assumption mathematically guarantees the conclusion, completing the deductive bridge.
3
Match each argument with its corresponding 'If Premise, then Conclusion' statement from the available options.
The four correct statements directly link the provided premises to their respective conclusions without reversing the logic.
Reversing the logic (If Conclusion, then Premise) is a common trap and does not guarantee the conclusion.

Key Concept

Sufficient Assumption
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Sufficient Assumption

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