Both facts stay true
- A wrong answer explains away or denies one of the two stated facts
- A wrong answer is true but irrelevant to the specific tension
- A right answer supplies a missing factor that lets both facts stand
- A right answer usually affects one side of the discrepancy specifically, not both equally
Rate vs. total is the most common hidden variable
Many paradoxes trade on the difference between a rate (per person, per unit, percentage) and a total (raw count). A falling rate can coexist with a rising total if the underlying population grew, and a rising total can coexist with a falling rate for the same reason in reverse.
What LSAC says about identifying explanations
LSAC lists identifying explanations among the skills the Logical Reasoning section tests, and recognizing misunderstandings or points of disagreement alongside it. A paradox question asks for an explanation, so this is the skill it uses, applied to two facts drawn from an ordinary-language passage.
LSAC says its Official LSAT Prep on LawHub simulates the four-section LSAT and lets you do everything you can do on test day, including ruling out answers, highlighting passages and setting screen preferences. The standard elimination move for paradox questions is ruling out any answer that denies one of the two facts.
3 original practice questions
Answer each question, then check it. Your result is saved on this device and counts toward your study dashboard.
Question 1
A country's overall crime rate fell by 8% last year, yet the number of crime reports filed with police increased by 15% during the same period. Which of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy?
Question 2
A company's revenue increased by 20% last year, but its profit decreased by 10% over the same period. Which of the following, if true, best explains this apparent inconsistency?
Question 3
Despite a nationwide decline in the number of people who smoke cigarettes, sales of cigarettes have remained flat over the past five years. Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain this apparent discrepancy?
Common questions
What is an LSAT paradox question?+
It presents two facts that seem to conflict and asks for the answer that lets both be true at once by adding a fact that explains how they coexist.
Does the correct paradox answer deny one of the facts?+
Never. The right answer keeps both stated facts and supplies a missing factor, and an answer that explains away or minimizes either fact is wrong.
What is the most common hidden variable in a paradox question?+
The difference between a rate and a total. A falling rate can coexist with a rising total if the underlying population grew.
Why is a true answer choice sometimes wrong on a paradox question?+
It may be true but irrelevant to the specific tension. Confirm the answer explains the exact gap you named, not a related but different one.
How should I start a paradox question?+
Restate the two facts in your own words and name why they seem to conflict, before you read the choices.
Does the right paradox answer affect both sides of the discrepancy?+
Usually it affects one side specifically, not both equally, by adding a factor that changes only one of the two figures.
What does LSAC say paradox questions test?+
LSAC lists identifying explanations among the skills tested in Logical Reasoning, along with recognizing misunderstandings or points of disagreement.
Can I rule out answers on the real LSAT interface?+
Yes. LSAC says LawHub practice tests let you rule out answers, highlight passages and set screen preferences, just as you can during the actual test.
What to do next
- 1
State both facts and the specific tension between them before reading the choices.
- 2
Reject any choice that denies or minimizes one of the two given facts.
- 3
Look first for a hidden rate-versus-total explanation.
- 4
Confirm the chosen answer explains the gap, not just a related but different gap.