In a puzzle book, family links are written with arithmetic signs: ‘P × Q’ stands for ‘P is the mother of Q’, ‘P + Q’ stands for ‘P is the brother of Q’ and ‘P ÷ Q’ stands for ‘P is the wife of Q’. Using these signs, a puzzle reads K ÷ L + M × N. How is L related to N?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Maternal uncle
Read the expression one symbol at a time, each time between the two letters on either side of it. The brother of one’s mother is one’s maternal uncle.
K ÷ L: K is the wife of L, so L is a male
L + M: L is the brother of M
M × N: M is the mother of N
L is the brother of N’s mother, so L is N’s maternal uncle
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (1) Father — Incorrect. L is the brother of N’s mother M, and a woman’s brother is not her child’s father.
Option (3) Paternal uncle — Incorrect. A paternal uncle is the father’s brother; L is related to N through N’s mother.
Option (4) Grandfather — Incorrect. L is in the same generation as N’s mother, not two generations above N.