Data sufficiency – counting sons of X from sibling statements How many sons does X have? Statements: (I) Q and U are brothers of T. (II) R is sister of P and U. (III) R and T are daughters of X.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: I, II and III together are not sufficient

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This is a family-relation data-sufficiency problem. We must determine the exact number of sons of X using given sibling relationships and genders.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • I: Q and U are brothers of T (so Q and U are male and siblings of T).
  • II: R is sister of P and U (so R is female, and P and U are R’s siblings).
  • III: R and T are daughters of X (both female children of X).


Concept / Approach:
Combine statements to list X’s children and their genders, then count sons. The key is whether P’s gender is determined or not.



Step-by-Step Solution:

From III: R and T are daughters of X.From I: Q and U are brothers of T → implies Q and U are also children of the same parent set (assume X) and both are male.From II: R is sister of P and U → since R is X’s daughter, P and U are also X’s children. U is already identified as a son; P’s gender is not specified.Thus, children of X include {R (F), T (F), U (M), Q (M), P (unknown gender)}.Number of sons is either 2 (Q and U) if P is female, or 3 (Q, U, and P) if P is male.


Verification / Alternative check:
No additional hidden constraints fix P’s gender. Therefore, even all three statements together do not yield a unique count of sons.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Only I and II / Only II and III / All I, II and III: None can uniquely determine P’s gender; ambiguity remains.
  • None of these: Incorrect because the correct conclusion is that insufficiency persists.


Common Pitfalls:
Assuming 'sister of P' implies P is male. It does not; a person can be a sister of another sister as well. Do not infer extra facts.



Final Answer:
I, II and III together are not sufficient


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