The Analytical Reasoning (Logic Games) section of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) can be a challenging endeavor for many test-takers. Among the different question types in this section, Combination questions can be particularly perplexing. In Combination questions, you are tasked with arranging elements into distinct groups or ordering them in specific sequences according to given rules or conditions. Successfully navigating these questions requires a strategic approach and the ability to organize information effectively. Let’s explore an overview of Combination questions, along with two examples and a step-by-step walkthrough of how to solve them.
Diagramming Combination Games on the LSAT’s Logic Games Section
Combination games in the LSAT Logic Games section involve arranging elements, such as people, items, or events, into different groups or ordering them in specific sequences. You are provided with a set of rules or conditions that dictate how the elements can be combined or ordered. Your task is to determine the correct arrangements or sequences based on the given rules.
Example 1:
In a baking competition, five participants—Alice, Bob, Claire, David, and Emma—are each making one of five desserts: Cake, Pie, Brownies, Cookies, and Cupcakes. You have the following clues:
- Alice’s dessert is made of chocolate.
- Bob is not making Cake or Cupcakes.
- Claire is making Pie or Brownies.
- David’s dessert is not Cupcakes.
- Emma is making Cupcakes or Cookies.
Arrange each participant with the dessert they are making.
Diagramming the Example
Step 1: Understand the Rules Read the clues carefully and identify the rules or conditions that dictate how the desserts can be combined with the participants.
In the example, we have clues about the desserts each participant is making and some restrictions regarding who cannot make certain desserts.
Step 2: Create a Grid or Diagram Create a grid or diagram to visualize the possible combinations and start organizing the information.
Participants | Desserts
------------------------
Alice |
Bob |
Claire |
David |
Emma |
Step 3: Apply the Rules Use the information from the clues to start filling in the grid with any definite matches.
- From clue 1, Alice’s dessert is made of chocolate.
Participants | Desserts
------------------------
Alice | Chocolate
Bob |
Claire |
David |
Emma |
Step 4: Make Deductions Use the clues to make deductions and fill in more matches.
- From clue 2, Bob is not making Cake or Cupcakes.
- From clue 4, David’s dessert is not Cupcakes.
Participants | Desserts
------------------------
Alice | Chocolate
Bob |
Claire |
David | Not Cupcakes
Emma |
Step 5: Complete the Grid Continue applying the rules and making deductions until you have all the matches.
- From clue 3, Claire is making Pie or Brownies.
- From clue 5, Emma is making Cupcakes or Cookies.
Participants | Desserts
------------------------
Alice | Chocolate
Bob |
Claire | Pie/Brownies
David | Not Cupcakes
Emma | Cupcakes/Cookies
Step 6: Finalize the Matches Fill in the last matches based on the remaining information.
- From clue 2, Bob is not making Cake or Cupcakes, so he must make Brownies.
Participants | Desserts ------------------------ Alice | Chocolate Bob | Brownies Claire | Pie/Brownies David | Not Cupcakes Emma | Cupcakes/Cookies
Try your own
Example 2: Five friends—Alex, Ben, Chloe, David, and Emma—are attending a concert. The seats are numbered 1 to 5. The following conditions apply:
- Alex sits in an even-numbered seat.
- Ben sits in seat 3 or 5.
- Chloe does not sit next to David.
- Emma sits two seats away from Ben.
- David sits in an odd-numbered seat.
Arrange each friend with their seat number.
The last word
Combination questions in the LSAT Logic Games section require strategic organization and deduction of the given information. By following a systematic approach and applying the provided rules, test-takers can confidently arrange elements or sequences, quickly create a concise diagram to refer back to, and effectively tackle these types of questions in the LSAT.
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