Directions (30-32): In the following questions, the symbols- &, @, % and $ are used with the following meanings as illustrated below. In each of the questions given below statements are followed by some conclusions. You have to take the given statements to be true even if they seem to be at variance from commonly known facts. Read all the conclusions and then decide which of the given conclusions logically follows from the given statements regarding commonly known facts.
A@B means “ All A are B”
A&B means “Only a few A are B”
A$B means “No A is B”
A%B means “Some A is B”
Statement:
Conclusions:
I. Some O are definitely not N
II. All N being S is not a possibility
III. Some M being O is a possibility
IV. All P can never be R
Correct Answer :
Both I and II
Solution :
To solve this syllogism, let us first decode the meaning of the symbols given in the instructions:
1. A@B means "All A are B".
2. A&B means "Only a few A are B", which implies two statements: "Some A are B" and "Some A are not B".
3. A$B means "No A is B".
4. A%B means "Some A is B".
Now, let us break down the given combined statement:
This can be split into individual statements:
1. M % R ⇒ Some M are R.
2. R @ O ⇒ All R are O.
3. O & N ⇒ Only a few O are N (which means: Some O are N, and Some O are not N).
4. N & P ⇒ Only a few N are P (which means: Some N are P, and Some N are not P).
5. P $ S ⇒ No P is S.
Let us evaluate each conclusion based on these statements:
Conclusion I: Some O are definitely not N
From the statement O & N ("Only a few O are N"), it is a definite fact that "Some O are not N". Thus, Conclusion I logically follows.
Conclusion II: All N being S is not a possibility
From N & P ("Only a few N are P"), we know that "Some N are P". Since P $ S ("No P is S"), the part of N that is inside P can never be part of S. Therefore, it is impossible for all N to be S. Thus, Conclusion II logically follows.
Conclusion III: Some M being O is a possibility
From M % R ("Some M are R") and R @ O ("All R are O"), we can conclude that "Some M are definitely O". Since this is a definite certainty, stating it as a "possibility" is logically incorrect. Thus, Conclusion III does not follow.
Conclusion IV: All P can never be R
There is no direct negative relation or restriction defined between P and R. Since all P could potentially be placed inside R without violating any of the given statements, we cannot say that all P can never be R. Thus, Conclusion IV does not follow.
Therefore, only conclusions I and II follow.
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