PrepTest 117, Section 2, Question 11
For many centuries it was believed that only(58 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(8 more words not shown)
- AScientists who use(17 more words not shown)
- BScientists generally do(19 more words not shown)
- CNon-Euclidean geometry is(12 more words not shown)
- DAn accurate scientific(17 more words not shown)
- EThe usefulness of(16 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Useful and correct aren't the same thing. A representation might help scientists do something without accurately representing the universe in every respect. So when we hear that non-Euclidean geometry is more useful for certain scientific work, I'd keep those two ideas separate. The first sentence describes the old belief: only Euclidean geometry could correctly represent the universe. A report about usefulness alone wouldn't tell us whether scientists still hold that belief about correctness.
But the final sentence goes further. A non-Euclidean representation underlies the cosmological theory scientists now most widely accept as accurate. That gives us a change in scientific opinion, even though it doesn't independently establish which representation is actually correct.
What we’re looking for
We're asked what is most strongly supported. I would stick with the belief change: scientists generally no longer treat Euclidean geometry as the only possible correct approach. We don't need a geometry lesson to see that, and we shouldn't turn a report of what scientists accept into proof that their belief is true.
Working the answers
- A
The passage doesn't tell us what scientists who use Euclidean geometry think about the general relationship between progress in mathematics and progress in natural science. One mathematical representation being useful in certain scientific theories doesn't establish this broader belief for that particular group of scientists.
- BCorrect
Scientists generally no longer believe Euclidean geometry is uniquely capable of correctly representing the universe. Their acceptance of a theory based on a non-Euclidean representation supports that change. Notice what B doesn't say: it doesn't declare Euclidean geometry useless or require every individual scientist to have abandoned the old belief.
- C
More complete is a different claim from more useful. A model might be useful for a particular task without being the most complete description. And the passage reports scientists' acceptance of a theory; it doesn't independently establish that non-Euclidean geometry gives a more complete representation of the universe. C goes beyond the comparison we're given.
- D
Nothing establishes this requirement for developing an accurate theory. The passage describes a change in accepted mathematical representations, not a rule that scientific accuracy is impossible until one uniquely correct representation has been discovered. D makes a broad necessity claim the evidence doesn't supply.
- E
We aren't told that scientists value usefulness above correctness. They might regard the newer representation as both useful and correct. Reporting its usefulness and the theory's acceptance as accurate doesn't rank those two considerations. E invents a preference that isn't needed to explain the reported change.
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