If 'P \times Q' means 'P is the father of Q', 'P + Q' means 'P is the brother of Q', 'P - … — State PSC Exam

If ' $P \times Q$ ' means ' $P$ is the father of $Q$ ', ' $P + Q$ ' means ' $P$ is the brother of $Q$ ', ' $P - Q$ ' means ' $P$ is the mother of $Q$ ', and ' $P \div Q$ ' means ' $P$ is the sister of $Q$ ', then in the expression $A \times B + C - D \div E$ , how is $E$ related to $A$ ?

A
Grandson
B
Granddaughter
C
Maternal Grandfather
Cannot be determinedAnswer

Answer

Cannot be determined

Decoding the expression shows that A is the father of C, and C is the mother of E, establishing A as the maternal grandfather of E. However, the relation

D \div E

only states that D is the sister of E, which confirms D's gender as female but leaves E's gender unstated. Consequently, E could be either a grandson or a granddaughter, making the exact relation impossible to determine.

Step-by-Step Solution

Decode the pairwise relationships in the expression from left to right.

A \times B

indicates

A

is the father of

B

B + C

indicates

B

is the brother of

C

C - D

indicates

C

is the mother of

D

D \div E

indicates

D

is the sister of

E

Breaking down the coded operators reveals the direct links between consecutive individuals.

Construct the generational hierarchy.

A

is the father of both

B

and

C

(first generation gap).

C

is the mother of both

D

and

E

(second generation gap). Thus,

A

is the maternal grandfather of

E

Combining sibling and parent relationships establishes the multi-generational family tree.

Evaluate the gender of the target individual

E

The relation

D \div E

specifies that

D

is a female sibling of

E

, but gives no information regarding whether

E

is male or female.

Gender in blood relation problems must be explicitly stated; it cannot be inferred from a sibling's gender.

Determine the exact kinship relation of

E

A

Since

E

is a grandchild of

A

but could be either male or female,

E

could be either a grandson or a granddaughter. Therefore, the relation cannot be determined uniquely.

Without definitive gender information, a specific relational title cannot be selected.

Key Concept

Gender ambiguity in coded blood relations

Question

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

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