Given the following codes:

• ‘P × Q’ means P is the wife of Q
• ‘P + Q’ means P is the son of Q
• ‘P - Q’ means P is the sister of Q

If the expression is R + M × J - K, then how is R related to J?

1. A

   Father

2. B

   Mother

3. C

   Paternal aunt

4. D

   Son

Appeared in: SGPGI Nursing Officer-2024

Explanation

• The expression 'R + M' decodes to 'R is the son of M', establishing R as male and M as his mother.
• The expression 'M × J' decodes to 'M is the wife of J', establishing M as female and J as her husband.
• Combining these two facts, if M is R's mother and J is M's husband, then J is R's father.
• Therefore, the relationship of R to J is that of a son to his father.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: R is the child of J, placing him in the younger generation. J is the father, not R.
• Option B: The code 'R + M' explicitly defines R as a 'son', which is a male role. Therefore, R cannot be a mother.
• Option C: A paternal aunt is the sister of one's father. R is a direct descendant (son) of J, not a sibling of a parent.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Solving coded blood relation problems using symbolic logic as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Logical reasoning questions assess critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for nurses in making sound clinical judgments and interpreting complex patient information.
• The ability to systematically break down complex information (like a patient's history or a set of symptoms) is parallel to decoding the symbolic relationships in this type of question.
• This skill helps in understanding family histories and genetic predispositions, which can be crucial for patient care and risk assessment.

How to Approach the Question

• First, carefully read and understand the meaning of each symbol (×, +, -). Note the gender and generational relationship each symbol implies.
• Break down the given expression (R + M × J - K) into smaller, manageable parts. Typically, these are decoded sequentially from left to right.
• Decode the first part: 'R + M' means 'R is the son of M'. This establishes R as male.
• Decode the next part: 'M × J' means 'M is the wife of J'. This establishes J as the husband of M.
• Combine the decoded information: If R is the son of M, and M is the wife of J, then J must be the father of R.
• Determine the final relationship asked by the question: 'How is R related to J?'. Based on the deduction, R is the son of J.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Solving coded blood relation problems using symbolic logic.
• Stem keywords: coded blood relations, R + M × J - K, wife, son, sister
• Lead-in keywords: how is R related to J

Question ID

Q3WluUVAkQBxQNK33bKki7

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Applied Sociology for Nurses TK Indrani p. 152-154