Key Techniques for Coded Relationship

Key Techniques for Coded Relationship are useful shortcuts that help candidates solve coded blood-relation questions quickly and accurately. Instead of decoding every relationship completely, these techniques allow us to identify and eliminate incorrect answer choices at an early stage.

Coded Relationship questions can become lengthy when every symbol in every option is decoded separately. A better approach is to first look for information that can immediately prove an option to be wrong.

The most useful techniques are checking the sex, checking the generation gap, ignoring zero-generation relationships, and finally drawing a family tree for the options that remain.

Major Techniques at a Glance

Technique #1: Check the Sex

The first and one of the fastest techniques is to check whether the person under consideration must be male or female.

Certain relationships automatically determine the sex of a person.

For example, if the question asks:

then A must be female. Any answer choice that immediately establishes A as a father or brother can be rejected without decoding the rest of the expression.

Technique #2: Check the Correct Side of the Person

The position of the symbol used for checking sex depends on whether the coding is forward type or backward type.

Forward-Type Coding

In forward-type coding, the first person has the stated relationship with the second person.

Therefore, when checking the sex of a person, examine the symbol immediately after that person.

For example:

Backward-Type Coding

In backward-type coding, the second person has the stated relationship with the first person.

Therefore, when checking the sex of a person, examine the symbol immediately before that person.

For example:

Technique #3: Check Generation Gap

After checking sex, the next useful technique is to check the generation gap.

A generation gap tells us whether one person belongs to the same generation, one generation above, one generation below, or multiple generations away from another person.

For example:

Similarly:

Technique #4: Ignore Same-Generation Relationships

Brother, sister, husband, and wife relationships do not create a generation difference. Their generation value is 0.

Therefore, while calculating the generation gap, these relationships can be ignored from the numerical calculation.

For example:

Technique #5: Check the Required Generation Gap

Different relationships require different generation gaps.

Therefore, if the question asks whether A is the grandfather of B, any option that produces a generation gap other than +2 can be rejected.

Similarly, if X is required to be the grandson of Y, the required generation gap is -2.

Technique #6: Reverse the Generation Gap Carefully

The generation gap changes sign when the order of the two persons is reversed.

For example, if the gap between A and B is +2, then the gap between B and A is -2.

Therefore, if A is two generations above B, B is two generations below A.

This is especially useful when the question asks for the relationship in the opposite direction from the way the expression is written.

Technique #7: Use the Direction of Coding Correctly

The direction in which the expression is analysed depends on the coding type.

For forward-type coding, begin with the person on the left and move towards the right.

For backward-type coding, begin with the person on the right and move towards the left.

Technique #8: Eliminate Before Decoding Completely

This is one of the most important examination techniques.

Suppose there are five answer choices. It is not necessary to completely decode all five choices.

Instead:

1. Identify the person under consideration.
2. Check the required sex.
3. Eliminate choices with the wrong sex.
4. Check the generation gap of the remaining choices.
5. Eliminate choices with the wrong generation gap.
6. Draw a family tree only if necessary.

Technique #9: Use the First Relevant Relationship

In many questions, the first relationship involving the person under consideration is enough to determine whether an option can be rejected.

For example, if the question asks:

"X is the grandson of Y"

X must be male.

If an option starts with:

and ÷ means X is the sister of A, X is female. Therefore, the option can be rejected immediately.

There is no need to analyse the remaining symbols.

Technique #10: Use Family Tree as the Final Verification

The family tree is most useful when quick elimination techniques do not leave a single answer.

It provides a visual representation of the relationships and helps determine the exact relationship between two persons.

Basic Family Tree Rules

• Use vertical or diagonal lines for parent-child relationships.
• Use a double horizontal line for marriage.
• Use a dashed line for brother or sister relationships.
• Use + for male.
• Use - for female.
• Use ? when the information is unknown.

Technique #11: Combined Sex and Generation Check

The strongest shortcut is to use sex checking and generation-gap checking together.

For example, if the question asks:

We immediately know:

• A must be male.
• A must be two generations above B.

Therefore, an option must satisfy both conditions.

Technique #12: Work from the Question, Not from the Options

A common mistake is to start reading an option and immediately decode every symbol. Instead, start with the relationship asked in the question.

For example, if the question asks for:

"X is the granddaughter of Y"

first establish:

• X must be female.
• X must be two generations below Y.

Only after establishing these requirements should the answer choices be examined.

Worked Strategy Example

Consider the question:

Step 1: Check Sex

A grandfather must be male.

Therefore, reject every option that makes A female.

Step 2: Check Generation Gap

A grandfather is two generations above B.

Required Gap = +2

Reject every remaining option whose generation gap is not +2.

Step 3: Verify the Remaining Option

If only one option remains, verify the relationship.

If multiple options remain, draw a family tree and determine the exact relationship.

Generation Gap Quick Reference

Common Mistakes in Coded Relationship Questions

Fastest Method for Competitive Exams

When solving Coded Relationship questions under time pressure, use the following sequence:

Quick Learning Framework

Final Takeaway

The key to solving Coded Relationship questions quickly is to avoid unnecessary decoding. Start by understanding the coding system and identifying whether it is forward or backward.

Next, identify the person under consideration and check the required sex. In forward coding, examine the symbol immediately after the person; in backward coding, examine the symbol immediately before the person.

After that, check the generation gap. Use +1 for father or mother, 0 for brother, sister, husband, or wife, and -1 for son or daughter. Relationships with a zero generation value can be ignored when performing the numerical calculation.

Finally, use a family tree to verify the remaining possibilities. The most effective examination strategy is therefore:

With regular practice, these techniques can make even lengthy coded relationship questions faster, clearer, and easier to solve accurately.