Which one of the following could be an accurate listing of the members and facilitators of the two research teams?

Victoria on March 24, 2019

Hi @Betsy-Caywood

This is an example of a two-group group game. There are two different research teams that students need to be split into: (1) the green team - G and (2) the red team - R.

One team has two members and the other has three members. As we are not yet sure which team has which number of students, include three spaces in each team.

R: _ _ _
G: _ _ _

We also have five variables (students) that need to be sorted into these teams: J, K, L, M, and O.

There is one final variable that we need to account for. One member of each team will be designated as a facilitator. If I were solving this question, I would designate the first space in each team as F. While this is an arbitrary designation, I find that it helps to keep this variable front of mind when solving the question.

So, now that we have set up the groups and designated a spot in each as 'F' for facilitator, we can begin making deductions based on the information provided.

Rule 1: Juana is assigned to a different team than Olga is.

If J - > not O
If O - > not J
This is an example of 'not both.' If J is on R, then O must be on G. If O is on R, then J must be on G.

We can set this up in the question as:

R: O/J _ _
G: J/O _ _

Note: while O must be a facilitator (which we have designated as the first space), J does not necessarily have to be a facilitator.

Rule 2: Lateefah is assigned to the green team.

L = G

Now we have:

R: O/J _ _
G: J/O L _

Rule 3: Kelly is not a facilitator.

K does not = F

Rule 4: Olga is a facilitator.

O = F

From this, we can map out:

R: O/J _ _
G: J/O L _

We know that Kelly cannot be a facilitator. We know nothing about Mei.

As I mentioned earlier, it is important to note that, while O must be a facilitator, J does not necessarily have to be. This could change our setup to:

R: O/J _ _
G: L J/O _

Just something to keep in mind!

Use this set-up and these deductions to start making immediate eliminations from the choices provided and then map out the remaining scenarios to find the correct answer.

Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Ben-Couse on October 4, 2020

Would you suggest setting up scenarios for this game or just go off the initial setup?

Victoria on May 23, 2021

Hi @Ben-Couse,

I think it is really a matter of personal preference.

When I wrote the LSAT, unless it was extremely obvious that there were an extremely limited number of scenarios, I would just go off the initial set-up as I found it faster and easier to manipulate based on changes imposed by the question stems. However, I can also see the value of setting up scenarios early on as it will make it faster to answer questions later.

It just depends which method you are most comfortable with and the level of complexity of the game!

Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any further questions.