Does "least possible" include "impossible"?

Question

I got this multiple choice question wrong on a test. The exact scenario described in the question isn't important, so I'll just give you the gist of it.

Which of the following is LEAST POSSIBLE?

A. ---
B. ---
C. ---
D. A, B, and C are all equally possible

A describes a scenario that is IMPOSSIBLE
B and C describe scenarios that are possible, but B is less possible than C

A is the correct answer, however I think it's B. I think LEAST is a comparative adjective describing POSSIBLE, therefore it's comparing POSSIBLE things. I see the problem as comparing the set of all things possible, and from that set which is the least possible, having impossible things being in a separate set. Also, choice D would also have to be correct, as it is also IMPOSSIBLE for A, B, and C to be equally possible.

Ok, try saying "least possible" with a gap between the two words.

Least



Possible


The thing with impossible is that there aren't varying degrees of impossibilty like possibilty. Either something is impossible, or it's not. However, some things can be more possible than others; hence I think that "the set of all things possible" is different from the "set of all things impossible."

Answer 1

I'm sorry, I disagree. If you have an event which is impossible grouped with other events that have non-zero possibility, the least possible event is the event which is impossible.

Answer 2

The question and scenario are confusing, but it's really a question of vocabulary. If they had said, "rate A, B, C, D on a scale of 1-4, 1 being the LEAST possible and 4 being the most possible," you would have understood it better. "Least" only means "less than the others." You need to follow the givens, which you are not doing in your explanation of why you think B is the answer.

Answer 3

I would say 'impossible' would be included.
Because its technically less possible than the least possible answer.

Answer 4

Nevermind.