LSAT Explanation PT 33, S3, Q14: Many people think that the only

LSAT Question Stem

The statistics cited function in the argument to 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is an Argument Part question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's break down the passage and analyze the argument. The passage states that many people believe that increasing the number of police officers is the only way to remedy the problem of crime. However, the author counters this belief by presenting a statistic: many major cities had similar ratios of police officers to citizens, yet their crime rates varied widely. The structure of the argument is as follows:

Premise: Many people think that the only way to remedy the problem of crime is by increasing the number of police officers.

Premise: Recent statistics show that many major cities had similar ratios of police officers to citizens, yet diverged widely in their crime rates.

Conclusion: The number of police officers is not the only factor influencing the crime rate.

The question type is an Argument Part question, which asks us to identify the role of the statistics cited in the argument. Now, let's examine each answer choice:

a) Establish that the number of police officers does not need to be increased.

This answer choice is incorrect because the statistics do not establish that the number of police officers does not need to be increased. The statistics merely suggest that there are other factors influencing the crime rate.

b) Illustrate the need for increasing the number of police officers in major cities.

This answer choice is incorrect because it goes against the argument's conclusion. The statistics are used to counter the belief that increasing the number of police officers is the only way to remedy the problem of crime.

c) Prove that there are factors other than the number of police officers that are more important in reducing the crime rate.

This answer choice is incorrect because it is too strong. The passage does not prove that there are other factors more important than the number of police officers in reducing the crime rate. It only suggests that there are other factors influencing the crime rate.

d) Demonstrate that there is no relation between the number of police officers and the crime rate.

This answer choice is incorrect because it also overstates the argument. The statistics do not demonstrate that there is no relation between the number of police officers and the crime rate. They only suggest that the number of police officers is not the only factor influencing the crime rate.

e) Suggest that the number of police officers is not the only influence on the crime rate.

This answer choice is correct because it accurately reflects the role of the statistics in the argument. The statistics are used to counter the belief that increasing the number of police officers is the only way to remedy the problem of crime by suggesting that there are other factors influencing the crime rate.

In summary, the correct answer is E because it accurately describes the role of the statistics in the argument. The other answer choices either overstate the argument or go against the conclusion of the passage.