The text argues that Ms. Gordon thinks algebra is useless because she would let students take statistics instead. However, Ms. Gordon only claimed that students should be allowed to take statistics instead of algebra. She did not suggest that algebra is a useless subject. This illustrates a type of logical fallacy known as a straw man.
Which logical fallacy is used in the text?
Ms. Gordon has suggested that our schools let students take statistics instead of algebra to graduate. Frankly, it is puzzling to me that she thinks algebra is a useless subject.
A: circular reasoning: an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself
B: appeal to nature: the assumption that natural things are always good
C: straw man: a misrepresentation of an opponent's position that makes it easier to argue against