Researcher: When writing code to perform a set of computations in a single sequential process, best practices dictate the minimization...
GMAT Two Part Analysis : (TPA) Questions
Researcher: When writing code to perform a set of computations in a single sequential process, best practices dictate the minimization of redundant computations performed by the computer by using clever tricks to use the results of previous computations still in memory rather than starting each computation anew. In good multiprocess code, on the other hand, redundant computations are often performed in the interest of reducing the communication of results between processes. This allows the processes to complete the whole set of computations more quickly.
In summary, good multiprocess coding deemphasizes the \(\mathrm{1}\) in favor of emphasizing the \(\mathrm{2}\).
Phase 1: Owning the Dataset
Argument Analysis Table
| Passage Statement | Analysis & Implications |
|---|---|
| "When writing code to perform a set of computations in a single sequential process, best practices dictate the minimization of redundant computations" |
|
| "using clever tricks to use the results of previous computations still in memory" |
|
| "In good multiprocess code, on the other hand, redundant computations are often performed" |
|
| "in the interest of reducing the communication of results between processes" |
|
| "This allows the processes to complete the whole set of computations more quickly" |
|
Key Patterns Identified
- Established Facts:
- Single process minimizes redundant computations
- Multiprocess accepts redundant computations
- Multiprocess reduces communication overhead
- Multiprocess completes faster overall
- Core Trade-off: Computational efficiency vs. time efficiency
- Fundamental Shift: From minimizing work to minimizing time
Phase 2: Question Analysis & Prethinking
Understanding Each Part
- Part 1 Focus: What does good multiprocess coding deemphasize?
- Part 2 Focus: What does good multiprocess coding emphasize?
- Relationship: These represent the two sides of the trade-off described in the passage
Valid Inferences (Prethinking)
- Part 1 Possibilities:
- Deemphasizes minimization of redundant computations
- Deemphasizes minimization of total computations performed
- Part 2 Possibilities:
- Emphasizes speed/time efficiency
- Emphasizes minimization of completion time
Phase 3: Answer Choice Evaluation
Analyzing Each Option:
"minimization of total number of computations performed"
- What it claims: Reducing the overall count of computations
- Fact Support: Single process does this; multiprocess explicitly allows redundancy
- Logical Validity: Directly supported as what multiprocess deemphasizes
- Part Suitability: Perfect for Part 1
"minimization of total time to complete the set of computations"
- What it claims: Reducing the time needed to finish all computations
- Fact Support: "allows the processes to complete... more quickly"
- Logical Validity: This is the stated goal of multiprocess approach
- Part Suitability: Perfect for Part 2
"maximization of total time to complete the set of computations"
- What it claims: Increasing completion time
- Fact Support: Contradicts the passage - multiprocess completes "more quickly"
- Logical Validity: Invalid inference
- Part Suitability: Neither part
"maximization of total number of computations performed"
- What it claims: Actively trying to increase computations
- Fact Support: While computations increase, it's not the goal
- Logical Validity: Misrepresents the purpose - redundancy is accepted, not maximized
- Part Suitability: Neither part
"maximization of redundancy in computations performed"
- What it claims: Making redundancy the primary goal
- Fact Support: Redundancy is a means, not an end
- Logical Validity: Over-inference - redundancy serves time minimization
- Part Suitability: Neither part
Final Answer Selection
Part 1: Good multiprocess coding deemphasizes the minimization of total number of computations performed
- This is what single process coding emphasizes
- Multiprocess explicitly allows redundant computations
Part 2: Good multiprocess coding emphasizes the minimization of total time to complete the set of computations
- This is the stated benefit: "complete... more quickly"
- The entire trade-off serves this goal
Verification
Both answers create a coherent narrative: multiprocess coding sacrifices computational efficiency (Part 1) to achieve time efficiency (Part 2), perfectly capturing the trade-off described in the passage.