Reasoning : Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability

Q 127 / 325

UPSC CSE Prelims 2020

A family of two generations consisting of six members P, Q, R, S, T, and U has three males and three females. There are two married couples and two unmarried siblings. U is P’s daughter and Q is R’s mother-in-law. T is an unmarried male and S is a male. Which one of the following is correct?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option (2)

Let's deduce the family structure based on the given information:

  • There are six members (P, Q, R, S, T, U) with three males and three females across two generations.
  • Known genders: U is P's daughter (U is female). Q is R's mother-in-law (Q is female). T is an unmarried male. S is a male.
  • Initial gender count: U (F), Q (F), T (M), S (M). This accounts for two females and two males.
  • The remaining two members (P and R) must consist of one male and one female to satisfy the 3M/3F condition.
  • If P were female, we would have P, Q, U as females. This would mean R must be male. However, if P and Q are both female, they cannot be married to each other, which complicates the "two married couples" condition, especially if they are parents to U.
  • Let's assume P is male. Then R must be female.
  • Confirmed Genders: P (Male), Q (Female), R (Female), S (Male), T (Male), U (Female). This satisfies the 3 males and 3 females condition.

Now, let's establish relationships and generations:

  • U is P's daughter: P (Male) is in Generation 1, U (Female) is in Generation 2.
  • Q is R's mother-in-law: Q (Female) is in Generation 1, R (Female) is in Generation 2. This means Q's child is married to R. Since R is female, her spouse must be male. Let this male spouse be Q's son.
  • We have two males in Generation 2: S and T. T is unmarried. Therefore, S must be Q's son who is married to R.
  • So, S (Male) is married to R (Female). This forms the first married couple (S - R).
  • Since P (Male) is U's father and Q (Female) is S's mother, and U and S are in the same generation, P and Q must be married to each other and are the parents of U and S. This forms the second married couple (P - Q).
  • This implies U and S are siblings.
  • We are told there are two unmarried siblings. T is an unmarried male. U is P's daughter and is not married to R (as R is female and married to S). Therefore, U (Female) is also unmarried.
  • Thus, U and T are the two unmarried siblings. This means T is also a child of P and Q.

The family structure is:

  • Generation 1: P (Male) is married to Q (Female).
  • Generation 2: Their children are U (Female), S (Male), and T (Male).
  • S (Male) is married to R (Female).
  • U (Female) and T (Male) are unmarried siblings.

Let's verify all conditions:

  • Six members: P, Q, R, S, T, U (Yes).
  • Two generations: Gen 1 (P, Q), Gen 2 (R, S, T, U) (Yes).
  • Three males (P, S, T) and three females (Q, R, U) (Yes).
  • Two married couples: (P - Q) and (S - R) (Yes).
  • Two unmarried siblings: U and T (Yes).
  • U is P's daughter (Yes).
  • Q is R's mother-in-law (Q is S's mother, S is married to R, so Q is R's mother-in-law) (Yes).
  • T is an unmarried male (Yes).
  • S is a male (Yes).

Based on this structure, R is S's wife. Therefore, Option 2 is correct.

Incorrect Options:

  • R is U's husband: In the established family structure, R is female and U is female. They cannot be husband and wife. R is S's wife, and U is S's sister, making R U's sister-in-law.

  • S is unmarried: The derived family structure clearly shows S (Male) is married to R (Female). T and U are the unmarried siblings.

  • None of the above: Since Option 2 is correct, this option is incorrect.

Explanation figure for the question: A family of two generations consisting of six members P, Q, R, S, T, and U has three male…