Relations

One of the type of questions that may be asked in various entrance exams is the one pertaining to relations.

Typically, the question would state that A is related to B, B is related to C and C is related to D. With the relations at each level defined, the candidate has to identify how A is related to D.

Let us understand, how such questions can be answered.

1. Relations are broadly defined in two categories. A. Blood relations - relatives who share common DNA are said to be related by blood. For e.g. Father-son/daughter, Mother-son/daughter, brothers and sisters etc. The second kind of relation is a legal or social relation. For example, the relation between a husband and wife. All the in-laws come in the second category.

2. Relations are spread across generations. So siblings, spouse, cousins are all in the same generation. Parents, uncles, aunts, father/mother-in-law are all one generation above. Sons/daughters, nephews, nieces, son/daughter-in-law are all one generation below. Grandparents are two generations above while grand children are two generations below. I hope you get the picture.

While solving such questions, making a family tree is often useful. Represent people on the same generation on the same horizontal while generations are spread across the vertical.

That is

Grandparents
|
Parents - Uncles - Aunts
|
Person - Siblings - Spouse
|
Children - Nephews - Nieces
|
Grandchildren

Secondly, a blood relation between two people can be shown by a line (-) while a legal relation can be shown by a cross (x). (Note - You can choose a convention of your own, but stick to it)

Let's try and take an example to understand this.

P is the brother of Q and R. T is Q's father. S is R's mother.

We can show this relation as under

...(f)S x T(m)
........|
(m)P - Q - R

The (f) and (m) indicate female and male respectively. As P is the brother, S is the mother and T is the father, we know their gender. We must NOT ASSUME the gender of Q and R. They can either be male or female.

If we are asked how Q is related to S, we have to answer that Q may be the Son OR Daughter of S.

In such questions, brother means a male child born to the same parents. Cousins are not referred to as brother or sister. (although we tend to do so in India)

The diagram helps us to know that S and T are on the same generation, and P, Q, R are one generation below them. S and T have a legal relation while S,P,Q,R and T,P,Q,R share blood relations.

Never make the mistake of assuming the gender when the same is not given.

I hope this helps you start solving questions of relations.

All the best.

Logic - Number Series

Logic comes in various shapes and sizes. And it is often tested in the weirdest of manners. However, entrance exams have a set repertoire of questions. So let's just plunge into one of those typical type of questions.

Number series is a typical type of question that tests the candidate's mathematical ability.

A series of numbers is given and one has to identify the pattern that connects all the numbers. Typical series are arithmetic of geometric progressions. However, questions asked in entrance tests are not typical. One needs to think in terms of

- arithmetic progressions
- geometric progressions
- primes odds evens multiples squares cubes....
- multiple series (combination of 2 or 3 different series done alternatively)

Repeated practice with number series questions is the only key to crack these type of questions