Question

discuss the statement and tell what possible misuse or misinterpretation may exist.

there are more empty spaces in the parking lot of an italian restaurant than at a japanese restaurant. therefore, more people prefer japanese food than italian food.

discuss the statement and tell what possible misuse or misinterpretation may exist. choose the correct answer below.

a. the statement is valid because there are more empty spaces in the parking lot of the italian restaurant than at the japanese restaurant.
b. the statement is not valid because italian food is always more popular than japanese food.
c. the statement is not valid because more people may walk to the italian restaurant than the japanese restaurant.
d. the statement is not valid because the japanese restaurant might be closed on sundays and the italian restaurant might be open on sundays.

Explanation:

Analyze the claim and premise

The statement claims that because there are more empty spaces in the parking lot of an Italian restaurant than at a Japanese restaurant, more people prefer Japanese food than Italian food. This argument relies on the assumption that the number of empty parking spaces directly reflects the popularity or preference of the food.

Identify confounding variables

Using the Statistical Misinterpretation knowledge point, we look for alternative explanations (confounding variables) that could explain the difference in empty parking spaces without implying a difference in food preference.

• The total capacity of each parking lot might differ.
• The mode of transportation used by customers might differ (e.g., more customers might walk, carpool, or use public transit to get to one restaurant).
• The size or seating capacity of the restaurants might be different.

Evaluate the given options

• A claims the statement is valid, which is incorrect because it ignores confounding variables.
• B claims the statement is invalid because "Italian food is always more popular," which is an unsupported generalization.
• C points out a valid confounding variable: more people may walk to the Italian restaurant, meaning fewer cars are parked there despite having many customers.
• D suggests a scenario about being closed on Sundays, but if a restaurant were closed, its parking lot would likely have more empty spaces (or be completely empty), which does not logically support the premise in a direct way compared to the transportation habits of active customers.

Select the best option

Option C correctly identifies a logical flaw in the argument by presenting a plausible alternative explanation (walking vs. driving) that invalidates the direct link between empty parking spaces and food preference.

Answer:

• (A) The statement is valid because there are more empty spaces in the parking lot of the Italian restaurant than at the Japanese restaurant.
• (B) The statement is not valid because Italian food is always more popular than Japanese food.
• (C) The statement is not valid because more people may walk to the Italian restaurant than the Japanese restaurant. (Correct answer)
• (D) The statement is not valid because the Japanese restaurant might be closed on Sundays and the Italian restaurant might be open on Sundays.