Approximately 8 million income-earning men have children who are between 3-5 years of age, and approximately 7 million men are the sole income earners for their families. These figures indicate that there are comparatively few income-earning men who have children belonging to the age group of 3-5 but are not the sole income earners for their families.
A major flaw in the reasoning is that it
(A) Ignores the possibility, that families with children belonging to the age group of 3-5 might also have older children.
(B) Fails to indicate whether the difference between the two figures cited will tend to remain stable over time.
(C) Relies on figures that are too imprecise to support the conclusion drawn.
(D) Overlooks the possibility that there is little or no overlap between the two populations of men cited.
(E) Provides no information on families in which women are the sole income earners.
Men with children who are between 3-5 years of age = 8 million
Men who are sole bringers of money = 7 million
We do not know the proportion of sole bringers vs ones where the women or other family members also bring in money.
The probable results, therefore, are these.
- 7 million of the sole bringers of money COULD be in fact a part of the 8 million men with children who are between 3-5 years of age; i.e. MOST of the 8 million men with children are sole bringers of money.
2. A portion of the 7 million of the sole bringers of money could constitute a small to a substantial part of the 8 million
3. the 7 million men who are sole bringers of money may be exclusive of this set -> ie. ALL the 8 million men with children are with women/ other family members who bring money as well.
Therefore the conclusion that there are comparatively few income-earning men who have children belonging to the age group of 3-5 but are not the sole income earners for their families may not necessarily be true.
Hence D is correct.
(A) This doesn't talk about the subset aspect. Eliminate
(B) The number doesn't have to remain stable. Eliminate
(C) The number is not imprecise. Eliminate
(D) This option points out the flaw mentioned above. Correct.
(E) We don't need information about women being the sole income earners. Eliminate.