Clear concepts key to solving Blood Relation questions in LR

The questions based on blood relations are important part of Logical Reasoning section of Common Admission Test (CAT).

Such LR questions are also part of all the other reputed MBA entrance examinations. A quick glimpse on the past papers suggests that number of LR questions since 2006 have been increased from 5 to 10 with higher level of Difficulty. A number of topics and sub topics are covered to form questions in Logical Reasoning. While our previous article on Logical Reasoning covered the concept of Seating Arrangements sets, this article brings out tips on solving questions based on Blood Relations.

Strategy to solve: Questions based on Blood Relations are, although a little complex, they can be solved faster, if one has the understanding of Family Tree. The irony of the present modern world is that we have to devise various ways and means to solve them whereas, solutions to such questions are on the tips of illiterate old aged people. However, the basic strategy to solve such questions is to know the various relations among family members. Spread out the understanding and follow the relations to at least three four generations like Great Grand parents and children, Aunts, uncles, cousins. Dont be afraid even when the simple relation is described in a circuitous manner, just place the layers of relationship above or below each of them. This will help you to form the family tree in an easy manner.

Types of Questions- Try to remember good old childhood days when we spent our summer vacation with the grandparents or the hot summer noons and cool nights, where the process of exchange of riddles based on various hypothetical situations with Blood Relations continued which gave the small brain a good storming but made us understand the logical coherence of relations. Alas! It happens no more and we remain glued to the electronic media, social sites, thus losing out on the obvious knowledge of blood relationships and family tree. Now, we have to study the pattern and system to follow such problems. Such questions could come in singles or in sets. They may be statement based or puzzle based

1) Statement Based questions They are usually presented with a single question

1. A is the father of B, but B is not the Son of A Ans. Very simple answer is daughter.

2. Radhe and Sunita were going on foot from one village to another on a summer afternoon. Sunita felt thirsty and wished to have some water to quench her thirst. Radhe found out a well with sweet water and asked Sunita to accompany him to the well. The other ladies who were drawing water from the well gave water and some eatables to Sunita. One of them asked Sunita the relationship between her and Radhe to which Sunita replied that Radhes mother-in-law and her mother-in-law were mother and daughter. What could be the relationship between Radhe and Sunita.

i) Father and daughter ii) Husband and wife iii) Father in law and Daughter in Law iv) Brother in law and sister in law

Answer iii) Father in Law and Daughter in law. Eliminate the first option as it indicates mothers not mother in law; second option cant be true; ivth option again does not establish any blood relation. Although easy to solve yet difficult to solve unless you follow the Family tree of relations.

2) Puzzle Based Questions Usually such questions are presented in sets. Look at one of the CAT questions

Direction for questions 1 to 4 Answer the questions that follow the information given in the undernoted paragraph.

Four families decided to attend the marriage ceremony of one their colleagues. One family has no kids, while the others have at least one kid each. Each family with kids has at least one kid attending the marriage. Given below is some information about the families, and who reached when to attend the marriage.

The family with two kids came just before the family with no kids. Shanthi who does not have any kids reached just before Sridevis family. Sunil and his wife reached last with their only kid. Anil is not the husband of Joya. Anil and Raj are fathers. Sridevis and Anitas daughters go to the same school. Joya came before Shanthi and met Anita when she reached the venue. Raman stays the farthest from the venue. Raj said his son could not come because of his exams.

Q.1 Which woman arrived third?

a) Shanthi b) Sridevi c) Anita d) Joya

Q.2-Name the correct pair of Husband and Wife?

a) Raj and Shanthi b) Sunil and Sridevi c) Anil and Sridevi d) Raj and Anita

Q.3- Of the following pairs, whose daughters go to the same school?

a) Anil and Raman b) Sunil and Raman c) Sunil and Anil d) Raj and Anil

Q.4- Whose family is known to have more than one kid for certain?

a) Ramans b) Rajs c) Anils d) Sunils

How to figure out the answers Four men are Anil, Raj, Sunil and Raman; four women are- Shanthi, Sridevi, Joya, Anita. Now we have to find out

Order of arrival Anita was already there, Joya came before Shanthi followed by Sridevi. Kids On the basis of information we have- Anita (1 kid daughter), Joya has 2 kids, Shanthi no kids, Sridevi- 1 kid daughter

Husbands Since Anil and Raj are fathers and Sunil reached last, Anil is not the husband of Joya- we get Anil-Anita; Raj-Joya; Raman-Shanthi; Sunil-Sridevi now we have a clear picture and can answer any question logically; So

Ans. From 1 to 4 1.a) Shanthi 2.b) Sunil and Sridevi 3.c) Sunil and Anil 4. b) Rajs

Know the terms: Below is given a small chart to clear the picture on Blood Relations. It will help aspirants to crack the LR questions. Although native languages other than English, in all probability have different names for different relations-even on paternal or maternal sides. But English has one Uncle, Brother in Law, Sister-in-Law etc. So, read carefully the information given in the question before proceeding to solve it.

1. Grandfather (Maternal or paternal) - Fathers or mothers father 2. Grandmother(Maternal or Paternal) - Mothers or fathers mother 3. Father-in-law - Husbands or wifes father 4. Mother-in-law - Husbands or wifes mother 5. Daughter-in-law - Sons wife 6. Son-in-law - Daughters husband 7. Brother-in-law - Husbands or wifes brother 8. Sister-in-law - Husbands or wifes sister 9. Nephew - Brothers or sisters son 10. Niece - Brothers or sisters daughter 11. Uncle - Mothers or Fathers brother 12. Aunt - Mothers or fathers sister 13. First cousin or cousin - Uncles of Aunts son or daughter 14. Second cousin - Son or daughter of the first cousin 15. Sibling - Real brother or sister (Offspring of the same parents)