Logical reasoning PrepTest 130 · Section 4 · Question 15

Incorrect. The stimulus notes that certain computers—for example, calculators—can be used without sacrificing certainty. Additionally, even other computers are only noted as providing "less certainty," which still leaves open the possibility that one can be certain to a degree.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Valid

Question Type:
Must Be True

Stimulus Summary:
Computer-dependent proofs can't be verified and are thus less certain than proofs humans can verify. Calculators are okay because they're convenient, not necessary.

Answer Anticipation:
This stimulus is all about comparisons and distinctions.

The primary comparison is between proofs that rely on computers and those that don't. The former are noted as being less certain than the latter because the former can't be verified by human judgment.

The primary distinction is between computers and calculators. While the stimulus does note that a calculator is a type of computer, it notes that it usually carries out tasks that humans can do, but a calculator can do more conveniently.

It's unclear how these will come together to lead to a correct answer, but understanding these points should help in our analysis!

Answer Explanation:
Since proofs that rely on computers provide less certainty than those that don't, it must be the case that humans are less than 100% certain those proofs are correct, as this answer states.

Key Takeaway:
Don't feel the need to make a specific anticipation of answers in Must Be True questions—frequently, just knowing the information that is most likely to support the correct answer is enough to allow you to answer the question efficiently.

Incorrect. The stimulus notes that certain computers—for example, calculators—can replace human calculation without sacrificing certainty (as long as it's done for convenience and not as a supplement to human cognition).

Incorrect. The stimulus never discusses complete certainty, just being more/less certain.

Incorrect. The stimulus notes that it is possible to supplement human cognitive abilities with computers—it's just sometimes (though not always) at the expense of certainty.