Flawed ReasoningDiff: Hard
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: Laura argues that because the math problem was eventually solved, the original mathematician could not have been lying or wrong about having a solution.
Conclusion: Joseph's claim that Fermat was lying or mistaken is definitely incorrect.
Reasoning: Since the theorem has recently been proven by someone, the theorem is provable, which contradicts Joseph's premise.
Analysis: Laura's reasoning is flawed because she assumes that disproving Joseph's premise (that the theorem is unprovable) automatically disproves his conclusion (that Fermat was lying). Even if the theorem is provable, Fermat himself could have still been lying or mistaken about possessing a valid proof in 1665. This is a common logical error where one assumes that because the evidence for a claim is shown to be false, the claim itself must be false. Look for an answer that identifies this failure to distinguish between the truth of a conclusion and the truth of the evidence used to support it.
Conclusion: Joseph's claim that Fermat was lying or mistaken is definitely incorrect.
Reasoning: Since the theorem has recently been proven by someone, the theorem is provable, which contradicts Joseph's premise.
Analysis: Laura's reasoning is flawed because she assumes that disproving Joseph's premise (that the theorem is unprovable) automatically disproves his conclusion (that Fermat was lying). Even if the theorem is provable, Fermat himself could have still been lying or mistaken about possessing a valid proof in 1665. This is a common logical error where one assumes that because the evidence for a claim is shown to be false, the claim itself must be false. Look for an answer that identifies this failure to distinguish between the truth of a conclusion and the truth of the evidence used to support it.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage14.Which one of the following most accurately describes a reasoning error in Laura's argument?
Correct Answer
C
C is correct. Laura takes a condition that would need to be true for Fermat to have had a proof (that the theorem is provable) and treats it as if it ensures he wasn’t lying or mistaken. That mixes up necessary with sufficient conditions.
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