Analytical Problem Solving Flashcards

A car travels 60 mph for 2 hours, then 40 mph for 3 hours. What is the car's average speed for the entire trip?

Answer: 48 mph

Total distance = 120+120=240 miles; total time = 5 hours; average speed = 240÷5 = 48 mph.

A manager notices sales increase whenever a new ad campaign runs. She concludes the campaigns always cause sales increases. Which scenario would most weaken her conclusion?

Answer: Sales also increase during holidays when no campaign runs

If sales rise during holidays without campaigns, a third variable (seasonality) could be driving both, undermining the causal claim.

Pattern: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ___. What comes next?

Answer: 21

This is the Fibonacci sequence; each term is the sum of the two preceding: 8+13=21.

Two statements: 'All managers are employees' and 'Some employees are part-time.' Which conclusion is valid?

Answer: Some managers may be part-time

'Some managers may be part-time' is the only valid conclusion since the overlap between part-time employees and managers is possible but not confirmed.

A tank fills in 6 hours with pipe A alone and in 4 hours with pipe B alone. How long does it take with both pipes open?

Answer: 2.4 hours

Combined rate = 1/6+1/4 = 5/12 per hour; time = 12/5 = 2.4 hours.

You have 9 balls, one of which is slightly heavier. Using a balance scale, what is the minimum number of weighings needed to identify the heavier ball?

Answer: 2

Divide into three groups of 3; one weighing identifies the heavier group, the second weighing finds the heavy ball within that group.

An argument: 'Students who study more get better grades. Maria got excellent grades, so she must have studied a lot.' What logical error is present?

Answer: Affirming the consequent

The argument affirms the consequent (good grades) to conclude the antecedent (studying), which is logically invalid since other causes could explain her grades.