LSAT Explanation PT 40, S3, Q21: Administrator: Because revenue fell by 15

LSAT Question Stem

The administrator's reasoning is flawed because the administrator 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's begin by analyzing the passage and breaking down the argument. The administrator states that since the university's revenue fell by 15 percent this year, the budget needs to be reduced for next year. They present two possible ways to achieve this reduction: eliminating faculty positions or reducing faculty salaries. The administrator then concludes that since they will not eliminate any faculty positions, they must reduce faculty salaries. Here, we can identify the premise as the university's revenue falling by 15 percent, and the conclusion as the need to reduce faculty salaries.

To make this more relatable, let's use a simple example: Imagine you have a monthly allowance of $100, but this month, you only received $85. To make up for the difference, you consider either cutting down on your entertainment expenses or reducing your food budget. You decide not to cut your entertainment expenses, so you must reduce your food budget.

Now, let's come up with an "Evaluate" question: "Are there any other ways to reduce the university's budget besides eliminating faculty positions or reducing faculty salaries?"

The question type for this problem is a Flaw question, which asks us to identify the flaw in the administrator's reasoning.

Answer Choice Explanations:

a) The administrator doesn't compare the money saved by each of the two options, so this answer choice is incorrect.

b) This is the correct answer choice. The administrator assumes that the only ways to reduce the budget are by eliminating faculty positions or reducing faculty salaries, without providing justification for why these are the only options. There could be other ways to reduce the budget that the administrator hasn't considered.

c) The administrator only mentions that revenue fell by 15 percent, but they don't claim that the budget cuts need to make up for the entire difference. Therefore, this answer choice is incorrect.

d) The administrator doesn't discuss how faculty members might respond to reduced salaries, so this answer choice is not relevant to the argument.

e) The administrator explicitly states that no faculty positions will be eliminated, so a combination of the two options is impossible. This answer choice is incorrect.