Question

A small software firm has four offices, numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4. Each of its offices has exactly one computer and exactly one printer. Each of these eight machines was brought in either 1987, 1988, or 1989. The eight machines were brought in a manner consistent with the following conditions:

Conditions:

Office 1 has a computer and printer brought in 1987.
Office 3 has both machines brought in the same year.
The computer in Office 2 was brought in before the printer.
In which office was the computer brought in 1988?
a) Office 1
b) Office 2
c) Office 3
d) Office 4

Answer 1

Using logical deduction, the computer brought in during 1988 is located in office 4, since the other offices' conditions do not allow for a 1988 computer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question involves using logical deduction to determine where a computer brought in during a particular year is located based on several conditions pertaining to a small software firm with four offices. Since office 1 has both a computer and printer brought in 1987, the computer in office 1 cannot be the one from 1988. Office 3 has both a computer and a printer from the same year, and since the computer in office 2 was brought in before its printer, it is not possible for the 1988 computer to be in office 2 if the printer in office 2 must be from 1989 (as it can't be from 1987 due to office 1's printer and not the same year as the computer). Therefore, by process of elimination, the computer brought in 1988 must be in office 4.