LSAT Explanation PT 19, S4, Q15: Grow-Again ointment is a proven treatment

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Strengthen question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's summarize and analyze the argument in the passage. The passage is about Grow-Again ointment, a treatment for male hereditary baldness. The recommended dose is five drops daily, and using more than that doesn't increase its effectiveness. The conclusion of the argument is that offering a manufacturer's rebate on the purchase price of Grow-Again will not increase sales and would be unprofitable for the manufacturer. The premise is that exceeding the recommended dose does not increase the product's effectiveness.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Would the rebate attract new customers who would not have purchased Grow-Again otherwise?"

Now let's discuss the answer choices. Remember, this is a Strengthen question, so we're looking for the answer choice that would most strengthen the argument.

a) When using an ointment, people tend to believe that applying it in greater quantities can make it more effective.

This answer choice does not strengthen the argument because it doesn't address the effect of the rebate on sales or profitability. If anything, it might suggest that people would still buy more ointment even if it's not more effective, which could potentially increase sales.

b) Grow-Again is more effective on some of the men who use it than it is on others.

This answer choice doesn't strengthen the argument either, because it doesn't directly address the effect of the rebate on sales or profitability. It only provides information about the varying effectiveness of the product on different users, which doesn't necessarily impact sales.

c) The rebate, if offered, would not attract purchasers who otherwise might not use Grow-Again.

This is the correct answer because it directly addresses the "Evaluate" question we posed earlier. If the rebate wouldn't attract new customers who wouldn't have purchased the product otherwise, then it's unlikely that the rebate would increase sales, thus strengthening the conclusion that offering the rebate would be unprofitable for the manufacturer.

d) Baldness in men can be caused by a variety of factors, only one of which is heredity.

This answer choice doesn't strengthen the argument because it doesn't address the effect of the rebate on sales or profitability. It only provides information about the causes of baldness, which is not directly related to the argument's conclusion.

e) Grow-Again is a product whose per-unit manufacturing cost does not fall significantly when the product is produced in large quantities.

This answer choice doesn't strengthen the argument because it doesn't address the effect of the rebate on sales or profitability. It only provides information about the manufacturing cost, which is not directly related to the argument's conclusion.