Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: Cannot be determined from the given premises
Explanation:
Given data
Concept / Approach
Translate the sentences into inequalities and then compare what is known and unknown.Knowing that both Josh and Darren exceed Stephen does not, by itself, order Josh and Darren relative to each other.
Step-by-step reasoning
Step 1: From Premise 1, J > S.Step 2: From Premise 2, D > S.Step 3: There is no premise comparing J and D directly. Both could be greater than S, but either one could be larger.Step 4: Construct models: (a) J=12, S=10, D=15 ā D > J (claim true). (b) J=16, S=10, D=15 ā J > D (claim false). Since both are compatible with the premises, the claim is not entailed.
Verification / Alternative view
Because two different consistent assignments yield opposite truth values for the claim, the truth of the claim is undetermined from the premises.
Common pitfalls
Final Answer
Cannot be determined from the given premises.
Discussion & Comments