LSAT Explanation PT 34, S2, Q15: Camera manufacturers typically advertise their products

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following most accurately states the main point of the argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Main Conclusion question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The passage begins by discussing how camera manufacturers advertise their products by citing the resolution of their cameras' lenses. The resolution of a lens is the degree of detail it can reproduce in the image it projects onto the film. The argument then states that differences in resolution are irrelevant for practical photography because all modern lenses are so excellent that they project more detail onto the film than any photographic film can reproduce in a developed image. This statement is the conclusion of the argument, and the premise is that all modern lenses project more detail than photographic film can reproduce.

To simplify this concept, let's use an analogy. Imagine a group of artists who all paint extremely detailed pictures. However, when their paintings are printed, the printer can only capture a certain level of detail. In this case, the differences in detail between the artists' original paintings would be irrelevant because the printer cannot reproduce the full detail of any of the paintings.

Now, let's discuss the question type and what it's asking us to do. This is a Main Conclusion question, which means we need to identify the main point of the argument.

Let's go through each answer choice:

a) Camera manufacturers ought to concentrate on building other desirable qualities into their cameras' lenses, rather than concentrating only on the lenses' resolution.

This answer choice suggests a course of action for camera manufacturers, but the passage does not discuss what camera manufacturers should do. Instead, it focuses on the practical implications of lens resolution differences. So, this answer choice is incorrect.

b) Apart from differences in resolution, there is no practical difference among modern cameras in the quality of the images that they produce.

This answer choice might seem tempting, but it goes beyond what the passage states. The passage only discusses the irrelevance of resolution differences for practical photography, not the overall quality of images produced by modern cameras. So, this answer choice is incorrect.

c) Advertised differences among cameras in the resolution of their lenses have no practical bearing on the cameras' relative quality as photographic tools.

This answer choice accurately captures the main point of the argument: that differences in resolution among modern lenses are irrelevant for practical photography, as they all project more detail than photographic film can reproduce. Therefore, this answer choice is correct.

d) In concentrating their advertising on the issue of image quality, manufacturers are making a mistake about the interests of potential purchasers of cameras.

This answer choice discusses the interests of potential purchasers, which is not mentioned in the passage. The passage focuses on the practical implications of lens resolution differences, not the effectiveness of advertising strategies. So, this answer choice is incorrect.

e) Differences among photographic films in the amount of detail they reproduce have a more significant effect on the quality of the developed image than do differences in the resolution of camera lenses.

This answer choice introduces a comparison between photographic films and camera lenses that is not discussed in the passage. The passage only states that modern lenses project more detail than photographic film can reproduce, not that differences among films have a more significant effect. So, this answer choice is incorrect.

In conclusion, the correct answer is C, as it accurately states the main point of the argument.