Question

Whenever Joe does his laundry at the Main Street Laundromat, the loads turn out cleaner than they do when he does his laundry at the Elm Street Laundromat. Laundry done at the Main Street Laundromat is cleaner because the machines at the Main Street Laundromat use more water per load than do those at the Elm Street Laundromat. Which of the following statements, if true, helps support the conclusion above? A. The clothes washed at the Elm Street Laundromat were, overall, less clean than those washed at the Main Street Laundromat. B. Joe uses the same detergent at both laundromats. C. The machines at the Oak Street Laundromat use twice as much water as do those at the Main Street Laundromat. D. Joe does three times as much laundry at the Main Street Laundromat as he does at the Elm Street Laundromat. E. Joe tends to do his dirtier laundry at the Elm Street Laundromat

Short answer

B. Joe uses the same detergent at both laundromats is the statement that most effectively supports the conclusion. By keeping the type of detergent constant, it infers that the difference in cleanliness is due to the water quantity used at each laundromat.

Step-by-step solution

Analyze Each Statement

Each statement will be observed one-by-one to determine how it contributes or fail to contribute to the conclusion.

Statement A

This statement essentially rephrases the assumption, but does not provide additional supporting facts or data.

Statement B

This statement provides credence to the conclusion. By stating that the same detergent is used at both laundromats, a control factor is introduced, that the detergent is not the cause of the difference in cleanliness.

Statement C

This statement introduces a third laundromat which is not relevant to comparing the conditions between Elm Street and Main Street.

Statement D

The volume of laundry done in each laundromat does not offer any support to the conclusion that the Main Street Laundromat is better due to the usage of more water.

Statement E

This statement could contradict the argument suggesting that the clothes washed at Elm Street were probably more dirty to begin with, but does not support the conclusion.

Key concepts

Logical Reasoning

Logical reasoning is like a detective's tool kit. It helps us make sense of information by looking at relationships between statements. In this exercise, we examine Joe's laundry experiences. To understand why laundry at the Main Street Laundromat is cleaner, we must analyze the evidence and fit it into a coherent narrative.

• We start by identifying the conclusion: the Main Street Laundromat makes cleaner laundry because its machines use more water.
• From here, we assess each statement to see which best supports this conclusion.

Logical reasoning requires that each piece of information either challenges or buttresses the main point. For example, knowing Joe uses the same detergent eliminates any variations due to detergent effectiveness – this is a logical step reinforcing our conclusion. Thus, statement B is relevant as it ensures shifts in cleanliness are attributed to water usage, not detergent types.

Analytical Skills

Analytical skills allow us to deconstruct a problem or story into its vital components. In Joe's situation, we dissect multiple statements to evaluate how each supports or weakens the conclusion about cleaner clothes at Main Street.

• Analyzing statement A, we discover it simply echoes the question's premise but lacks new evidence.
• Statement C introduces unrelated information about the Oak Street Laundromat, which we dismiss as non-essential.

Examination of each element helps us prioritize which facts are genuinely impactful. This systematic approach also reveals relationships and dependencies. For example, if all variables like detergent remain constant across both laundromats, water usage becomes the prominent differentiator.

Problem Solving

Problem solving here involves identifying the strongest support for a conclusion and effectively eliminating irrelevant distractions. It's like finding the right key for a lock. The exercise challenges us to pinpoint which statement solidifies the argument about the Main Street Laundromat's effectiveness due to its water usage.

• First, eliminate statements that are irrelevant or counterintuitive like C and D.
• Focus on details that differentiate the laundromats, such as water consumption and detergent consistency.

The goal in problem solving is to connect data meaningfully to the conclusion. By doing this, you solidify your understanding of which evidence genuinely supports the claim, enhancing your ability to solve similar problems in the future.

Argument Analysis

Argument analysis involves digging deep into the claims, evidence, and assumptions to understand their interconnections. Joe's laundry scenario is a perfect exercise to sharpen these skills. Our task is to critically assess each statement's impact on the argument that Main Street's machines produce cleaner loads thanks to higher water usage.

• Evaluate assumptions: Statement E suggests initially dirtier laundry at Elm Street, diverting focus rather than supporting the primary claim.
• Identify evidence: Statement B provides critical evidence that corroborates the main argument while isolating water usage as the pivotal factor.

Through argument analysis, you refine your ability to discern credible evidence from fluff, ensuring only the strongest, most relevant points form the basis for concluding a discussion.