The table above shows the number of consecutive
nights that each of five families stayed at a certain
hotel during a 14-night period. If the Liu family’s stay
did not overlap with the Benton family’s stay, which of the 14 nights could be a night on which only one of the five families stayed at the hotel?

(A) The 3rd
(B) The 5th
(C) The 6th
(D) The 8th
(E) The 10th

Question

The table above shows the number of consecutive
nights that each of five families stayed at a certain
hotel during a 14-night period. If the Liu family’s stay
did not overlap with the Benton family’s stay, which of the 14 nights could be a night on which only one of the five families stayed at the hotel?

(A) The 3rd
(B) The 5th
(C) The 6th
(D) The 8th
(E) The 10th

anonymous · Answer

The table with the question is:

kropot72 · Answer

|dw:1399525325811:dw|
As you can see from the diagram, the only nights where the Jackson family could be absent are 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 13 and 14. This eliminates choices B, C, D and E.

anonymous · Answer

Thank you very much!

kropot72 · Answer

You're welcome :)

anonymous · Answer

But why did you not consider the Callan or Epstein family?

kropot72 · Answer

There was no need to consider the Callan or Epstein family, the reason being that the dominant continuous stay was that of the Jackson family. Consideration of all the possible stays of the Callan and Epstein families would be an uneccessary complication.

anonymous · Answer

Thanks! That makes sense.

kropot72 · Answer

Cool!