Read the following argument:
'To combat rising maintenance costs, the university will replace all the grass in the central quad with synthetic turf. Because synthetic turf requires no watering or mowing, the university's maintenance costs for the central quad will be lower next year than they were this year.'
Statement: The argument above relies on the underlying assumption that the cost of purchasing and installing the synthetic turf will not exceed the financial savings gained from eliminating watering and mowing during the upcoming year.
Answer: Answer
Answer
True
The statement accurately identifies a necessary underlying assumption. The argument leaps from 'saving money on water and mowing' to 'overall costs will be lower.' This logical leap assumes there are no overriding new costs (like installation) that would cancel out the savings. Negating this assumption completely undermines the conclusion.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Necessary assumptions are unstated premises that must be true for an argument's conclusion to follow logically. They can be tested by negating the statement to see if the argument falls apart.
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