Flawed ReasoningDiff: Hard
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: Car manufacturers are trying to fix air bags that go off for no reason by using fancy computers, but an engineer thinks this will just make things worse because complicated systems have more ways to break.
Conclusion: The implementation of more complex computer control systems for air bags will likely exacerbate the problem of accidental inflation.
Reasoning: Complex systems have a greater number of potential failure points than simpler systems do.
Analysis: The engineer's argument hinges on a classic logical leap: assuming that a higher number of potential failure modes automatically translates to a higher overall probability of failure. While a complex system might have more 'ways' to fail, each of those ways could be significantly less likely to occur than the few failure points in a simpler system. Look for an answer that highlights this failure to consider the actual frequency or likelihood of these failures versus their sheer variety. It is a bit like saying a Swiss Army knife is more likely to break than a regular knife just because it has more tools.
Conclusion: The implementation of more complex computer control systems for air bags will likely exacerbate the problem of accidental inflation.
Reasoning: Complex systems have a greater number of potential failure points than simpler systems do.
Analysis: The engineer's argument hinges on a classic logical leap: assuming that a higher number of potential failure modes automatically translates to a higher overall probability of failure. While a complex system might have more 'ways' to fail, each of those ways could be significantly less likely to occur than the few failure points in a simpler system. Look for an answer that highlights this failure to consider the actual frequency or likelihood of these failures versus their sheer variety. It is a bit like saying a Swiss Army knife is more likely to break than a regular knife just because it has more tools.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage21.The engineer's argument is most vulnerable to criticism on which one of the following grounds?
Correct Answer
A
A identifies the core flaw: it challenges the assumption that more ways a system can fail means a higher likelihood of failure. That’s exactly the unstated link the engineer relies on to conclude the problem will get worse.
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