Types of Puzzles - How to Solve Puzzle Questions

TYPE 6: Family-Based Puzzle

In this type of questions, some clues are given regarding relationship among different members of a family, together with their professions, qualities, dresses, preferences etc. The candidate is required to analyze the whole information and then answer the given question accordingly.

Ex.6.Read the following information carefully and answer the question given below it:

(i) In a family of six persons – P, Q, R, S, T and U – there are three gents and three ladies. There are two married couples and tow persons are unmarried. Each one of them reads different newspapers, uiz. The times of India, Indian Express, Hindustan Times, Business Herald, Navbharat Times and The Tribune.

(ii) T, who reads Indian Express, is mother-in-law of P who is wife of R. S is the father of U and he does not read The Times of India or The Tribune. Q reads Navbharat Times and she is the sister of U – Who reads Hindustan Time. R does not read The Tribune.

1. How many sons does T have?

(A) One

(B) Two

(C) Three

(D) Four

(E) None of these

2. Who among the following reads The Times of India?

(A) P

(B) R

(C) S

(D) Data inadequate

(E) None of these

3. Which of the following newspaper is ready by P?

(A) Business Herald

(B) The Times of India

(C) Navbharat Times

(D) Data Inadequate

(E) None of these

4. How is U related to T?

(A) Son

(B) Daughter

(C) Brother

(D) Data Inadequate

5. Which of the following is one of the married couples?

(A) QU

(B) TU

(C) SQ

(D) ST

(E) None of these

Solution:

T is mother-in-law of P and P is wife of R. So, R is P’s husband and T is mother of R. So, one couple is RP. Since S is father of U, so S is the husband of T. So, the other couple is ST.

Since Q is sister of U, so R, U and Q are children of S and T. Since there are 3 gents in all, so U is also a male

Now, Q reads Navbharat Times; U reads Hindustan Times: T reads Indian Express.

Since S does not read The Times of India or The Tribune, so S reads Business Herald.

Since R does not read The Tribune, so R reads The Times of India.

Clearly, P reads The Tribune.

1. Clearly, T has two sons R and U. So, the answer is (b).

2. R reads The Times of India. So, the answer is (b).

3. P reads The Tribune. So, the answer is (e).

4. Clearly, U is the son of T. So, the answer is (a).

5. The two couples are- RP and ST. So, the answer is (d).