LSAT Explanation PT 20, S1, Q3: Manager: Our new computer network, the

LSAT Question Stem

The manager's argument assumes which one of the following? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Necessary Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The question type for this problem is Necessary Assumption.

Let's first summarize and analyze the argument in the passage. The manager is discussing the installation of a new computer network, which aims to increase productivity. There are two options for installation: during the day (disrupting employees' work) or at night (incurring higher installation charges). The manager concludes that since saving money is important, the network should be installed during the day.

Here, the premise is that saving money is important, and the conclusion is that the network should be installed during the day. The manager's argument assumes that the monetary loss due to disrupted work during daytime installation is less than the extra cost of nighttime installation.

Now, let's consider an "Evaluate" question for this argument: "Would the monetary value of any productivity lost during a daytime installation be less than the difference between daytime and nighttime installation costs?"

With this understanding, let's go through the answer choices:

a) The monetary value of the network equipment would not exceed the cost of having the equipment installed at night.

This answer choice is not directly related to the comparison between daytime and nighttime installation costs or the monetary value of lost productivity during the installation. It is irrelevant to the manager's assumption, so this choice is incorrect.

b) The monetary value of any productivity lost during a daytime installation would be less than the difference between daytime and nighttime installation costs.

This answer choice directly addresses the manager's assumption that the lost productivity during daytime installation is less costly than the extra cost of nighttime installation. This is the correct answer choice.

c) A daytime installation would be completed by no larger a crew and would take the crew no more time than would a nighttime installation.

This answer choice does not address the comparison between the monetary value of lost productivity and the difference in installation costs. The size and time of the installation crew are irrelevant to the manager's assumption, so this choice is incorrect.

d) Once the network has been installed, most of the company's employees will be able to use it immediately to increase their productivity.

This answer choice is irrelevant to the manager's assumption, as it discusses what happens after the installation, not the comparison between daytime and nighttime installation costs or the monetary value of lost productivity during the installation. This choice is incorrect.

e) Most of the company's employees would be able to work productively while a daytime installation is in progress.

The manager's assumption does not depend on whether employees can work productively during the daytime installation. Even if none of the employees are productive during the installation, the extra cost of nighttime installation could still be higher, making daytime installation the better choice. This unnecessary assumption is incorrect.

Therefore, the correct answer choice is (B), as it directly addresses the manager's assumption that the monetary value of any productivity lost during a daytime installation would be less than the difference between daytime and nighttime installation costs.