Question

Exactly eight consumers - F, G, H, J, K, L, M, and N - will be interviewed by market researchers. The eight will be divided into exactly two 4-person groups - group 1 and group 2 - before interviews begin. Each person is assigned to exactly one of the two groups according to the following conditions:

Conditions:

F and J cannot be in the same group.
K must be in group 2 if M is in group 1.
H and L must be in the same group.
In which group is N placed?
a) Group 1
b) Group 2
c) Either group 1 or group 2, depending on other placements
d) It cannot be determined from the given conditions

Answer 1

Given the constraints, there is no information provided that directly affects the placement of N, indicating that N could be placed in either group 1 or group 2, depending on other placements.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine in which group N is placed, we must follow the given conditions:

• F and J cannot be in the same group.
• K must be in group 2 if M is in group 1.
• H and L must be in the same group.

Our aim here is not to form the actual groups but to decide which group N can be placed into. Given the constraints listed above, no direct or indirect condition affects where N can be placed. Therefore, without additional information, the placement of N is not dictated by these conditions. This problem is all about logical deduction based on the given conditions.

Therefore, the answer is:

c) Either group 1 or group 2, depending on other placements