Question

Difficulty: MediumBlood Relations

In a certain artificial language used for genealogical tracking, familial relationships are denoted by mathematical symbols as follows:

XYX \star Y signifies that XX is the biological father of YY.
XYX \bullet Y signifies that XX is the biological mother of YY.
XYX \diamond Y signifies that XX is the brother of YY.
XYX \circ Y signifies that XX is the sister of YY.

Evaluate the genealogical string PQRSTP \bullet Q \diamond R \star S \circ T. Which of the following accurately describes the relationship of QQ to TT?

  1. Paternal uncleAnswer
  2. B
    Nephew
  3. C
    Maternal uncle
  4. D
    Niece

Answer

Paternal uncle
In the given expression, tracing from right to left reveals that SS and TT are siblings. Moving to the next element, RR is the father of SS, which means RR is also the father of TT. Further left, QQ is the brother of RR. The brother of a person's father is their paternal uncle. Therefore, QQ is the paternal uncle of TT.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship at the right end of the string between S and T.
STS \circ T means SS is the sister of TT. They are siblings, but TT's gender remains completely undetermined.
To establish the generational baseline and identify the youngest generation.
2
Analyze the relationship of R to S and T.
RSR \star S means RR is the father of SS. Because SS and TT are siblings, RR is also the father of TT.
To move up one generation and identify the common parent of the siblings.
3
Analyze the relationship of Q to R.
QRQ \diamond R means QQ is the brother of RR.
To establish QQ's generational level and relationship to TT's father.
4
Determine the final relationship from Q to T.
Since QQ is the brother of RR, and RR is the father of TT, QQ is the brother of TT's father. This makes QQ the paternal uncle of TT.
To connect the full chain and directly answer the specific question asked.

Key Concept

Coded Blood Relations and Generational Tracing
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