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Although the earliest records we have of Arabic sources using the number zero date back to 773 C.E., the fact that the Arabic civilization had been performing advanced mathematical operations for a century before that indicates that they understood the concept of numerical zero long before they ever put it in writing. After all, Indians and Babylonians had both developed the concept independently before then, and the Arabic people could reasonably be expected to have acquired similar concepts. And although there is a dearth of writing indicating the exchange, by the 6th century C.E. Arabs had been in close contact with Indian civilization for a prolonged period.
In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
  • a)
    Both bolded sections are evidence that seem to contradict the author's argument.
  • b)
    The first is a summary of the position the author seeks to promote; the second is a dismissal of that position.
  • c)
    The first is a methodological basis for findings examined in the argument; the second is an explanation of that methodology.
  • d)
    Both bolded portions are pieces of evidence that potentially support a position promoted by the argument.
  • e)
    The first is a piece of evidence supporting the author's conclusion; the second is that conclusion.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Although the earliest records we have of Arabic sources using the numb...
The passage's point seems to be that the Arabic people had the idea of zero before the numeral was developed. It states that the Arabic people had been performing advanced calculations for a century before the numeral was developed; that other cultures had developed the idea before then; and that they could have acquired the idea through interaction with India. These all seem to be evidence for the passage's point.
Choice (A) is not correct, because the boldfaced portions support the argument, not contradict it.
Choice (B) is incorrect because the second boldfaced portion does not reject the author's position.
Choice (C) is incorrect because the passage doesn't mention any "methodology."
Choice (D) looks good, because the boldfaced portions do imply support for the idea that the Arab civilization had the concept of zero before the numeral; the first boldfaced portion indicates how advanced the Arab people were mathematically, and the second suggests they could have gotten the idea from India.
Choice (E) is incorrect because the second boldfaced portion is not a "conclusion." The conclusion is more accurately said to be in the last part of the first sentence: "[the Arabic civilization] understood the concept of numerical zero long before [its people] ever put it in writing."
The correct answer is Choice (D).
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Though the truism about Inuits having a hundred words for snow is an exaggeration, languages really are full of charming quirks that reveal the character of a culture. Dialects of Scottish Gaelic, for instance, traditionally spoken in the Highlands and, later on, in fishing villages, have a great many very specific words for seaweed, as well as names for each of the components of a rabbit snare and a word for an egg that emerges from a hen sans shell. Unfortunately for those who find these details fascinating, languages are going extinct at an incredible clip, - one dies every 14 days - and linguists are rushing around with tape recorders and word lists, trying to record at least a fragment of each before they go. The only way the old tongues will stick around is if populations themselves decide that there is something of value in them, whether for reasons of patriotism, cultural heritage, or just to lure in some language-curious tourists. But even when the general public opinion is for preservation of their linguistic diversity, linguists are finding it increasingly difficult to achieve such a task.Mathematicians can help linguists out in this mission. To provide a test environment for programs that encourage the learning of endangered local languages, Anne Kandler and her colleagues decided to make a mathematical model of the speakers of Scottish Gaelic. This was an apposite choice because the local population was already becoming increasingly conscious about the cultural value of their language and statistics of the Gaelic speakers was readily available. The model the mathematicians built not only uses statistics such as the number of people speaking the languages, the number of polyglots and rate of change in these numbers but also figures which represent the economic value of the language and the perceived cultural value amongst people. These numbers were substituted in the differential equations of the model to find out the number of new Gaelic speakers required annually to stop the dwindling of the Gaelic population. The estimate of the number determined by Kandlers research helped the national Gaelic Development Agency to formulate an effective plan towards the preserving the language. Many languages such as Quechua, Chinook and Istrian Vlashki can be saved using such mathematical models. Results from mathematical equations can be useful in strategically planning preservation strategies. Similarly mathematical analysis of languages which have survived against many odds can also provide useful insights which can be applied towards saving other endangered languages.The Authors conclusion that languages such as Quechua, Chinook, and Istrian Vlashki can be saved using such mathematical models (beginning of last para.) is most weakened if which of the following is found to be true?

Though the truism about Inuits having a hundred words for snow is an exaggeration, languages really are full of charming quirks that reveal the character of a culture. Dialects of Scottish Gaelic, for instance, traditionally spoken in the Highlands and, later on, in fishing villages, have a great many very specific words for seaweed, as well as names for each of the components of a rabbit snare and a word for an egg that emerges from a hen sans shell. Unfortunately for those who find these details fascinating, languages are going extinct at an incredible clip, - one dies every 14 days - and linguists are rushing around with tape recorders and word lists, trying to record at least a fragment of each before they go. The only way the old tongues will stick around is if populations themselves decide that there is something of value in them, whether for reasons of patriotism, cultural heritage, or just to lure in some language-curious tourists. But even when the general public opinion is for preservation of their linguistic diversity, linguists are finding it increasingly difficult to achieve such a task.Mathematicians can help linguists out in this mission. To provide a test environment for programs that encourage the learning of endangered local languages, Anne Kandler and her colleagues decided to make a mathematical model of the speakers of Scottish Gaelic. This was an apposite choice because the local population was already becoming increasingly conscious about the cultural value of their language and statistics of the Gaelic speakers was readily available. The model the mathematicians built not only uses statistics such as the number of people speaking the languages, the number of polyglots and rate of change in these numbers but also figures which represent the economic value of the language and the perceived cultural value amongst people. These numbers were substituted in the differential equations of the model to find out the number of new Gaelic speakers required annually to stop the dwindling of the Gaelic population. The estimate of the number determined by Kandlers research helped the national Gaelic Development Agency to formulate an effective plan towards the preserving the language. Many languages such as Quechua, Chinook and Istrian Vlashki can be saved using such mathematical models. Results from mathematical equations can be useful in strategically planning preservation strategies. Similarly mathematical analysis of languages which have survived against many odds can also provide useful insights which can be applied towards saving other endangered languages.The passage is primarily concerned with which of the following?

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Although the earliest records we have of Arabic sources using the number zero date back to 773 C.E., the fact that the Arabic civilization had been performing advanced mathematical operations for a century before that indicates that they understood the concept of numerical zero long before they ever put it in writing. After all, Indians and Babylonians had both developed the concept independently before then, and the Arabic people could reasonably be expected to have acquired similar concepts. And although there is a dearth of writing indicating the exchange, by the 6th century C.E. Arabs had been in close contact with Indian civilization for a prolonged period.In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?a)Both bolded sections are evidence that seem to contradict the authors argument.b)The first is a summary of the position the author seeks to promote; the second is a dismissal of that position.c)The first is a methodological basis for findings examined in the argument; the second is an explanation of that methodology.d)Both bolded portions are pieces of evidence that potentially support a position promoted by the argument.e)The first is a piece of evidence supporting the authors conclusion; the second is that conclusion.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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Although the earliest records we have of Arabic sources using the number zero date back to 773 C.E., the fact that the Arabic civilization had been performing advanced mathematical operations for a century before that indicates that they understood the concept of numerical zero long before they ever put it in writing. After all, Indians and Babylonians had both developed the concept independently before then, and the Arabic people could reasonably be expected to have acquired similar concepts. And although there is a dearth of writing indicating the exchange, by the 6th century C.E. Arabs had been in close contact with Indian civilization for a prolonged period.In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?a)Both bolded sections are evidence that seem to contradict the authors argument.b)The first is a summary of the position the author seeks to promote; the second is a dismissal of that position.c)The first is a methodological basis for findings examined in the argument; the second is an explanation of that methodology.d)Both bolded portions are pieces of evidence that potentially support a position promoted by the argument.e)The first is a piece of evidence supporting the authors conclusion; the second is that conclusion.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2024 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about Although the earliest records we have of Arabic sources using the number zero date back to 773 C.E., the fact that the Arabic civilization had been performing advanced mathematical operations for a century before that indicates that they understood the concept of numerical zero long before they ever put it in writing. After all, Indians and Babylonians had both developed the concept independently before then, and the Arabic people could reasonably be expected to have acquired similar concepts. And although there is a dearth of writing indicating the exchange, by the 6th century C.E. Arabs had been in close contact with Indian civilization for a prolonged period.In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?a)Both bolded sections are evidence that seem to contradict the authors argument.b)The first is a summary of the position the author seeks to promote; the second is a dismissal of that position.c)The first is a methodological basis for findings examined in the argument; the second is an explanation of that methodology.d)Both bolded portions are pieces of evidence that potentially support a position promoted by the argument.e)The first is a piece of evidence supporting the authors conclusion; the second is that conclusion.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Although the earliest records we have of Arabic sources using the number zero date back to 773 C.E., the fact that the Arabic civilization had been performing advanced mathematical operations for a century before that indicates that they understood the concept of numerical zero long before they ever put it in writing. After all, Indians and Babylonians had both developed the concept independently before then, and the Arabic people could reasonably be expected to have acquired similar concepts. And although there is a dearth of writing indicating the exchange, by the 6th century C.E. Arabs had been in close contact with Indian civilization for a prolonged period.In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?a)Both bolded sections are evidence that seem to contradict the authors argument.b)The first is a summary of the position the author seeks to promote; the second is a dismissal of that position.c)The first is a methodological basis for findings examined in the argument; the second is an explanation of that methodology.d)Both bolded portions are pieces of evidence that potentially support a position promoted by the argument.e)The first is a piece of evidence supporting the authors conclusion; the second is that conclusion.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
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Arabs had been in close contact with Indian civilization for a prolonged period.In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?a)Both bolded sections are evidence that seem to contradict the authors argument.b)The first is a summary of the position the author seeks to promote; the second is a dismissal of that position.c)The first is a methodological basis for findings examined in the argument; the second is an explanation of that methodology.d)Both bolded portions are pieces of evidence that potentially support a position promoted by the argument.e)The first is a piece of evidence supporting the authors conclusion; the second is that conclusion.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GMAT tests.
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