The game requires us to assign each of the six rangers - J K L M O P - to 3 areas -1 2 3. This tells us that every ranger must be assigned to one of the areas, we cannot leave anyone out. Each area must have at least 1 and at most 3 rangers. This tells us that there are two possible combinations of the number of rangers per area:
3-2-1 2-2-2
The following rules apply: (1) M is assigned to 3.
3: M
(2) Neither O nor P are assigned to area 1. Combined with rule (1), we can infer that J/K/L are the only possible assignments for area 1.
1: J/K/L
(3) L is assigned to the same area as K or M but not both.
This rule tells us that we must have either LK or LM combination but not LKM in the same area, meaning K cannot be assigned to area 3. Note that if L is assigned to area 1 or 2, it must be paired with K, and if it is assigned to area 3, it must be paired with M 1: LK 2: LK 3: LM
We can also infer that if L is assigned to area 2, it must be paired with K and the only ranger that is assigned to area 1 in this scenario is J: 1: J 2: LK 3: M
(4) if O is assigned to 2, then JK are assigned to the same area, otherwise they are assigned to different areas. O-2 <-> JK ~O-2<-> ~JK
Combined with the previous rule, we can infer that if L is assigned to area 2, O must be assigned to area 3, and P could be assigned to either 2 or 3:
1: J 2: LK /P 3: MO /P
Now let's consider the impact of O assignment to area 2 or 3: If O is assigned to area 2, L must be assigned to either area 1 or 3:
1: J K L 2: O /P 3: M /P
or 1: J K 2: O /P 3: M L /P
If O is assigned to area 3, L could be assigned to area 3 along with M and O, area 2 with K or area 1 with K.
P is the only free variable in these scenarios and could be assigned to either area 2 or 3 interchangeably.
Taken together, we have the following rules: 1: J/K/L 2: 3: M ~K
LK v LM O-2-> JK -1 O-3 -> ~JK L-2: 1: J 2: LK /P 3: MO /P
The question asks which of the following could be a permissible assignment. (A) Incorrect. L must be paired with M or K. (B) Incorrect. If O is in area 2, KJ must both be in area 1. (C) Incorrect. P cannot be assigned to area 1 (D) Incorrect. M must be assigned to area 3 (E) Correct. This assignment complies with all the rules.
Let me know if this makes sense and if you have any further questions.
