There are 5 materials to make a perfume: Lilac, Balsamic, Lemon, Woody and…
2023
There are 5 materials to make a perfume: Lilac, Balsamic, Lemon, Woody and Mimosaic. To make a perfume that is in demand the following conditions are to be followed: Lilac and Balsamic go together. Woody and Mimosaic go together; Woody and Balsamic never go together. Lemon can be added with any material. All of the following combinations are possible to make a perfume EXCEPT:
- A.
Balsamic and Lilac
- B.
Woody and Lemon
- C.
Mimosaic and Woody
- D.
Mimosaic and Lilac
Attempted by 1 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Concept
In a compatibility-constraint puzzle, a phrase like "X and Y go together" groups X and Y into one compatible pair. A phrase like "X and Y never go together" declares a direct conflict between two such pairs: no material from one pair can then be combined with any material from the other pair, even if that exact combination was never named.
Application
"Lilac and Balsamic go together" groups them into one compatible pair: {Lilac, Balsamic}.
"Woody and Mimosaic go together" groups them into another compatible pair: {Woody, Mimosaic}.
"Woody and Balsamic never go together" is a direct conflict between these two pairs - so no material from {Woody, Mimosaic} can be combined with any material from {Lilac, Balsamic}.
Mimosaic belongs to {Woody, Mimosaic}, and Lilac belongs to {Lilac, Balsamic}. Combining them crosses the two conflicting pairs, so this combination is impossible.
Cross-check
Balsamic and Lilac: both belong to the same pair, exactly as stated, so no conflict arises.
Woody and Lemon: Lemon is universal and sits outside both pairs, so it never triggers the pair-to-pair conflict.
Mimosaic and Woody: both belong to the same pair, exactly as stated, so no conflict arises.
All three of the other combinations check out cleanly, confirming that Mimosaic and Lilac is the sole combination that is not possible.