Golden Rule: First understand the meaning of each symbol. Then check the direction of coding, sex, and generation gap before selecting the answer.

🔍 Identify the Direct Code

The question directly tells us:

A + B means A is the father of B.

Therefore, to represent P as the father of Q, we simply replace A with P and B with Q.

P + Q

Correct Answer: (b) P + Q

⚡ Quick Exam Shortcut

When the required relationship is exactly the same as the given code, directly substitute the names. No family tree is required.

🔍 Decode the Relationship

A + B means A is the father of B.

B x C means B is the brother of C.

Therefore, A is the father of C's brother. Hence, A is also the father of C.

A → Father → B
B → Brother → C

A is the father of C.

Correct Answer: (a) Father

⚡ Quick Exam Shortcut

A brother or sister relationship does not change the generation. If A is one generation above B and B is in the same generation as C, A remains one generation above C.

🔍 Check the Sex of the Person

The required relationship is mother. Therefore, X must be female.

According to the coding system, the symbol - represents mother in forward coding.

X - Y

Correct Answer: (b) X - Y

⚡ Quick Exam Shortcut

For forward coding, always check the symbol immediately after the person whose sex is being determined.

🔍 Calculate the Generation Gap

A + B means A is one generation above B.

B + C means B is one generation above C.

Therefore:

+1 + +1 = +2

A is two generations above C. Therefore, A is the grandfather of C.

Correct Answer: (b) Grandfather

⚡ Quick Exam Shortcut

Father/Mother = +1
Grandfather/Grandmother = +2
Same generation = 0
Son/Daughter = -1

🔍 Decode Step by Step

A x B means A is the brother of B. Therefore, A and B are in the same generation.

B + C means B is the father of C.

Therefore, A is the brother of C's father. Hence, A is the uncle of C.

0 + 1 = +1

Since A is a male in the same generation as C's father, A is C's uncle.

Correct Answer: (c) Uncle

🔍 Calculate the Generation

A α B means A is the son of B, so A is one generation below B.

B β C means B is the daughter of C, so B is one generation below C.

Therefore, A is two generations below C.

-1 + -1 = -2

Thus, A is the grandson of C.

Correct Answer: (c) Grandson

⚡ Quick Exam Shortcut

For son and daughter codes, move one generation downward. Two consecutive downward relationships give a grandchild relationship.

🔍 Calculate the Generation Gap

The generation values are:

• A - B = +1
• B Δ C = 0
• C α D = -1

+1 + 0 - 1 = 0

Therefore, A and D belong to the same generation.

The first relationship tells us that A is female because A is the mother of B. The exact relationship between A and D is therefore a same-generation female relation. From the chain, A is the mother of B, B is married to C, and C is the parent of D. Hence, A is D's grandmother.

The direct family interpretation is more important than the numerical gap alone.

Correct Answer: (d) Grandmother

⚡ Important Note

Generation gap is an excellent elimination tool, but when the exact relationship is asked, always verify the actual family connection. Do not rely on the numerical value alone.

🔍 Check Each Relationship

P + Q means P is the father of Q. Therefore, P is male and Q may be either male or female.

Q ÷ R means Q is the sister of R. Therefore, Q is definitely female.

R may be male or female because being the sibling of Q does not determine R's sex.

Therefore, the only person whose sex is definitely known to be female is Q.

Correct Answer: (b) Q only

⚡ Quick Exam Shortcut

Do not assume the sex of a person merely because they are a parent or sibling. Use only relationships that explicitly determine male or female.

🔍 Decode from the Correct Direction

In backward coding, read the relationship according to the meaning of the symbol.

M ^ N means N is the father of M.

N # O means O is the brother of N.

O ^ P means P is the father of O.

Therefore, P is the father of O, and O is the brother of N. Hence P is also the father of N. Since N is the father of M, P is the grandfather of M.

Therefore, M is the grandson of P.

Correct Answer: (b) Grandfather

⚡ Quick Exam Shortcut

In backward coding, do not apply forward-code meanings mechanically. First reverse the relationship described by the symbol.

🔍 Build the Family Relationship

S # R means R is the brother of S. Therefore, S and R are siblings.

R δ Q means Q is the wife of R.

Q > P means P is the son of Q.

Therefore, P is the son of Q, Q is married to R, and R is the brother of S.

Hence, S is the aunt or uncle of P depending on S's sex. Since the coding does not establish S's sex, the exact relationship cannot be determined.

Correct Answer: Cannot be determined from the given information

⚠️ Important Lesson

Never assume the sex of an unspecified sibling. If both aunt and uncle are possible, the exact relationship cannot be determined.

🔍 Solve Using Generation Values

• A + B = +1
• B x C = 0
• C β D = -1

+1 + 0 - 1 = 0

The numerical generation gap between A and D is zero.

However, the exact relationship must be checked from the family structure. A is father of B. B is brother of C. Therefore, A is also the father of C. C is the daughter of D, so D is C's parent. Thus A and D are parents of the same child generation and are therefore in the same generation.

The exact relationship between A and D cannot be uniquely determined without additional information about whether A and D are spouses or otherwise related.

Correct Answer: Cannot be determined

⚡ Quick Exam Shortcut

A generation gap of 0 tells you only that two persons are in the same generation. It does not automatically tell you whether they are brothers, sisters, spouses, cousins, or unrelated persons.

🔍 Check the Direction

The code A < B means B is the daughter of A.

To represent Q as the parent and P as the daughter, substitute:

Q < P

This means P is the daughter of Q.

Correct Answer: (b) Q < P

🔍 Check the Known Sexes

A + B means A is the father of B. Therefore, A is definitely male.

B ÷ C means B is the sister of C. Therefore, B is definitely female.

C α D means C is the son of D. Therefore, C is definitely male.

D's sex is not determined by this relationship.

Thus, A and C are definitely male.

Correct Answer: A and C

⚡ Quick Exam Shortcut

Look for father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, husband, and wife relationships. These are the codes that can directly reveal the sex of a person.

🔍 Draw the Relationship

X - Y means X is the mother of Y.

Y x Z means Y is the brother of Z.

Therefore, X is the mother of Y, and Y is the brother of Z.

If Y and Z are siblings, X is also the mother of Z.

X is the mother of Z.

Correct Answer: (a) Mother

⚡ Quick Exam Shortcut

When two persons are siblings, a parent of one sibling is generally treated as the parent of the other sibling unless the question gives information that contradicts this.

🔍 Decode the Chain

P + Q means P is the father of Q.

Q - R means Q is the mother of R.

R x S means R is the brother of S.

Therefore, P is the father of Q. Q is the mother of R. R is the brother of S, so Q is also the mother of S.

Therefore, P is the father of S's mother. Hence P is the grandfather of S.

+1 + +1 + 0 = +2

Correct Answer: (a) Grandfather

🔍 Interpret the Marriage Code

A @ B means A is the husband of B.

B - C means B is the mother of C.

Therefore, A is the husband of C's mother. Hence A is the father of C.

0 + 1 = +1

Correct Answer: (a) Father

⚡ Quick Exam Shortcut

Husband and wife relationships have a generation gap of 0. When one spouse is a parent of a child, the other spouse is also treated as the child's parent.

🔍 Trace the Relationships

A ÷ B means A is the sister of B.

B + C means B is the father of C.

Therefore, A is the sister of C's father.

A is therefore the aunt of C.

Correct Answer: (b) A is the sister of C's father

🔍 Eliminate Using Sex

P - Q means P is the mother of Q. Therefore, P is definitely female.

Q x R means Q is the brother of R. Therefore, Q is definitely male.

R's sex is not determined.

Therefore:

• P is male → Impossible
• P is female → Possible
• Q is male → Possible and definite
• R may be male or female → Possible

Correct Answer: (a) P is male

⚡ Quick Exam Shortcut

If a question asks which option can be eliminated, check sex first. It is often faster than decoding the entire family tree.

🔍 Solve from Left to Right

A + B: A is father of B.

B x C: B is brother of C. Therefore, A is also the father of C.

C - D: C is mother of D.

D x E: D is brother of E. Therefore, C is also the mother of E.

Therefore, A is the father of E's mother. Hence A is the grandfather of E.

+1 + 0 + 1 + 0 = +2

Correct Answer: (a) Grandfather

🔍 Interpret the Codes

A Δ B means A is the wife of B.

B α C means B is the son of C.

Therefore, B is the son of C, and A is B's wife.

Thus A is the daughter-in-law of C.

None of the given options exactly represents daughter-in-law.

A is the daughter-in-law of C.

Correct Answer: None of the given options

⚠️ Exam Awareness

Sometimes a coded relationship chain produces a relationship that is not directly listed in the options. Always verify the complete family connection instead of forcing the result into the nearest option.

🔍 Decode Each Link

M ^ N means N is the father of M.

N # O means O is the brother of N.

O ~ P means P is the mother of O.

Therefore, P is the mother of O. O is the brother of N, so P is also the mother of N. N is the father of M.

Therefore, M is the grandchild of P.

Since N is explicitly the father of M, M's sex is not established by that relationship. Therefore, M could be a grandson or granddaughter.

Correct Answer: Cannot be determined as grandson or granddaughter

⚡ Quick Exam Shortcut

A parent relationship does not reveal the child's sex. Never convert child automatically into son or daughter.

🔍 Build the Required Relationship

We need S's father first.

S + T means S is the father of T, which is not the required direction.

Instead, if the coding system is strictly forward, the relationship must be represented by placing the father and his wife in relation to S. The options do not provide a direct code that unambiguously states that R is the wife of S's father.

Therefore, none of the given expressions can be confirmed as the exact required relationship without additional coding information.

Correct Answer: Cannot be determined from the given options

🔍 Break the Chain

P - Q means P is the mother of Q.

Q @ R means Q is the husband of R.

R α S means R is the son of S.

S + T means S is the father of T.

Therefore, P is the mother of Q, Q is the husband of R, and R is the son of S.

Since R is the son of S and S is the father of T, S is T's father. P is the mother of Q, but the chain does not establish a unique relationship between P and T.

Therefore, the exact relationship cannot be determined from the available information.

Correct Answer: Cannot be determined

🔍 Simplify the Statement

The speaker's father has an only daughter.

If the speaker is male, that daughter is the speaker's sister.

R is the brother of that daughter. Therefore, R is also the speaker's brother.

R = Brother of the speaker

Correct Answer: (a) Brother

⚡ Quick Exam Shortcut

Convert long statements into a simple family tree. Identify the central person first, then move one relationship at a time.

🔍 Decode the Statement

The only son of the woman's mother is the woman's brother.

The man is the son of that brother.

Therefore, the man is the woman's nephew.

Correct Answer: (c) Nephew

🔍 Build the Relationship

For X to be the nephew of Y, X must be the son of Y's brother or sister.

Consider:

X x Z + Y

X is the brother of Z, and Z is the father of Y. This does not make X the nephew of Y.

Now consider:

Y + Z x X

Y is the father of Z, and Z is the brother of X. Therefore, X is also a child of Y, not Y's nephew.

The available expressions do not establish X as the son of Y's sibling. Therefore, none of the options represents the exact required relationship.

Correct Answer: None of the given options

1. Read the coding instructions carefully. Never assume the meaning of a symbol.
2. Identify the coding direction. Determine whether the question uses forward or backward coding.
3. Start with the person asked about. Work from the target person rather than decoding unnecessary relationships.
4. Check sex. Father, brother, son and husband indicate male. Mother, sister, daughter and wife indicate female.
5. Calculate the generation gap. Use +1 for parent, 0 for same generation, and -1 for child relationships.
6. Ignore zero-generation relationships initially. Brother, sister, husband and wife do not change the generation level.
7. Build the family tree when the chain is long. This prevents confusion and double interpretation.
8. Eliminate impossible options. A wrong sex or impossible generation gap can immediately eliminate an option.
9. Verify the exact relationship. Generation gap alone is not always enough to identify the precise relationship.

• Direct coded relationship questions
• Forward coding questions
• Backward coding questions
• Sex identification questions
• Generation-gap questions
• Same-generation relationship questions
• Parent-child relationship questions
• Grandparent and grandchild questions
• Brother and sister relationship questions
• Husband and wife relationship questions
• Mixed coded relationship chains
• Family-tree based questions
• Statement-based family relationship questions
• Option elimination questions
• Questions where the relationship cannot be determined
• Questions involving incomplete information
• Long multi-step coded relationship chains

• Reading a backward code as a forward code.
• Assuming the sex of a person without evidence.
• Confusing brother/sister relationships with parent-child relationships.
• Forgetting that husband and wife have the same generation level.
• Using generation gap alone to determine an exact relationship.
• Ignoring the direction of the symbol.
• Starting from the wrong person in a long expression.
• Assuming that every sibling is male or female without a coded indication.
• Missing the possibility that the answer cannot be determined.
• Forcing an answer when none of the options exactly matches the decoded relationship.

• Sex first: Use male/female information to eliminate impossible options.
• Generation second: Calculate whether the person is above, below, or in the same generation.
• Relationship third: Identify the exact family relationship.
• Direction matters: Forward and backward coding must not be mixed.
• Use zero wisely: Brother, sister, husband and wife do not change generation level.
• Draw when necessary: A simple family tree is often faster than mentally tracking a long chain.
• Do not assume: Unknown sex or incomplete information may make the answer impossible to determine.

Read the Coding Rule

↓

Identify Forward / Backward Direction

↓

Locate the Person Asked About

↓

Check Sex

↓

Calculate Generation Gap

↓

Ignore Same-Generation Links Initially

↓

Build the Family Tree if Required

↓

Eliminate Impossible Options

↓

Verify Exact Relationship

↓

Select the Answer

• Do I know the meaning of every symbol?
• Is the coding forward or backward?
• Which person is the question asking about?
• What is the sex of the person?
• What is the generation gap?
• Which relationships have a value of 0?
• Can any options be eliminated immediately?
• Do I need to draw a family tree?
• Does the exact relationship match the selected option?
• Could the correct answer be "Cannot be determined"?

Understand Symbols

↓

Check Coding Direction

↓

Identify Target Person

↓

Check Sex

↓

Calculate Generation Gap

↓

Build Family Tree

↓

Eliminate Impossible Options

↓

Verify Exact Relationship

↓

Choose the Answer

Code → Direction → Sex → Generation → Family Tree → Eliminate → Verify

Master this sequence and even long coded relationship questions become systematic and manageable.