Hello, the attached question is from the Manhattan 5lb book. In this question, I noted that they never specified that “none” = 0. So I created two cases, one where none = 0 and therefore QA = 14, and another case where none = 9 and therefore QA = 0. Consequently, I put Need More Info.
The correct answer is instead QA = QB, meaning none ≠ 0. From the phrasing of the question, that is not clear to me. The use of the word “either” is included, but from Google the definition of either is: “used before the first of two (or occasionally more) alternatives that are being specified (the other being introduced by “or”).”. This seems like a weak case for guaranteeing that none = 0; that definition does not specify that the specified alternatives encompass the total selection of all possible alternatives. My read is that they are some alternatives that have been identified; maybe all of them, or maybe not.
Can somebody help clarify if there is something else I am missing? Thank you!