Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: L
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question introduces symbolic relationships and asks you to decode them to determine who plays the role of "father". Such coding problems combine blood-relations with a mini-logic language, commonly used in aptitude tests to measure symbol manipulation and inference skills.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
We decode the composite expression piece by piece. Each symbol directly gives us a family relationship. From this, we infer the genders of I, J and K, and the parent–child relation connecting K and L. Once we know who is mother and who is brother or daughter, we can infer who must be the father to make the family structure consistent: the person whose child is K and J, while not already being assigned a female role.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
Summarize the family: I (mother) and L (father) are parents of J (son) and K (daughter). The symbols match perfectly: I # J (I mother of J), J $ K (J brother of K), and K * L (K daughter of L). No other assignment of roles satisfies all three symbolic statements while keeping genders consistent. Hence L must be the father.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
I is explicitly the mother, so cannot be the father.
J is a brother (male child), not a parent.
K is a daughter (female child), also not a parent.
Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to read the expression from right to left and mix up who is the parent and who is the child for the * and # symbols. Always stick to the definitions given: "M * N" explicitly means M is the daughter, not the parent. Another pitfall is to forget that siblings share parents, which is crucial for identifying L as the common parent and thus the father.
Final Answer:
In the expression I # J $ K * L, L is the father.
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