Statement: The organisers of the Sitapur half-marathon have moved the start from 7 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. this year, so that runners finish before it gets hot.
Assumptions:
I. Starting at 5:30 a.m. will make more runners take part.
II. It is usually hot in Sitapur by the time a race starting at 7 a.m. would finish.
Which assumptions are implicit?

Only I is implicitCorrect answerYour answerOnly II is implicitCorrect answerYour answerEither I or II is implicitCorrect answerYour answerBoth I and II are implicitCorrect answerYour answer

Show the answer and explanation

CorrectNot quiteAnswer B

Correct answer: B

Negation test for I: if the number of runners stayed the same, the change would still make sense, because its stated purpose is to avoid the heat. So I is not implicit.
Negation test for II: if it were still cool when a 7 a.m. race finished, moving the start earlier to avoid heat would be pointless. So II is implicit.
Only II is implicit.

Concept: The problem a decision takes for granted
Typical timeTypical: 70 s
Your timeYours: —

The rule this testsStatements and assumptions

Practise this chapter →

Ten questions from Statements, Conclusions and Assumptions, at your own pace.

Explanation