Quantifier Logic — “Most” Statements “Most dresses in that shop are expensive.” What follows with certainty?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Some dresses in that shop are expensive.

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question checks your understanding of the quantifier “most” in logical reasoning. “Most” means more than half. From that, we must infer a statement that is guaranteed true without adding assumptions about the remaining items.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Premise: Most dresses in the shop are expensive.
  • We cannot assume anything about the remainder unless logically entailed.
  • We seek a conclusion that necessarily follows.


Concept / Approach:
If more than half are expensive, then at least one (indeed many) are expensive. However, “most” does not force the existence of any cheap dresses; it allows but does not require them. Therefore, the minimal safe conclusion is an existential claim about expensive items.



Step-by-Step Solution:

Translate “most” to “greater than 50%.”From “>50% are expensive,” deduce “at least one is expensive.”Choose the option stating that some dresses are expensive.


Verification / Alternative check:
Consider the extreme: if exactly 100 dresses exist and 60 are expensive, then it is certainly true that some are expensive. But the presence of cheap dresses is not guaranteed (e.g., in theory “most” could be used in sloppy speech; formally it could still allow all to be expensive if “most” is interpreted loosely—hence we only assert the existential statement).



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • No cheap dresses: not entailed; “most expensive” does not preclude some cheap.
  • Handloom dresses are cheap: adds irrelevant category information.
  • There are cheap dresses also: plausible but not guaranteed by logic alone.


Common Pitfalls:
Confusing “most” with “not all,” or assuming complementary details not present in the premise.



Final Answer:
Some dresses in that shop are expensive.

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