Q.6 In a group of four children, Som is younger to Riaz. Shiv is elder to Ansu. Ansu is youngest in the
group. Which of the following statements is/are required to find the eldest child in the group?
Statements
1. Shiv is younger to Riaz.
2. Shiv is elder to Som.
(A) Statement 1by itself determines the eldest child.
(B) Statement 2 by itself determines the eldest child.
(C) Statements 1 and 2 are both required to determine the eldest child.
(D) Statements 1 and 2 are not sufficient to determine the eldest child.

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Age-based logic puzzles test your ability to rank individuals using limited clues, a staple in competitive exams like IBPS PO, SSC CGL, and CAT. This data sufficiency question involves four children—Som, Riaz, Shiv, and Ansu—with initial facts: Som is younger than Riaz, Shiv is elder than Ansu, and Ansu is the youngest. Can you determine the eldest child in the group? Let’s break it down.

The Logic Puzzle: Base Facts and Age Order

Start with the given information:

• Ansu is the youngest (position 4).

• Som < Riaz (Som is younger than Riaz).

• Shiv > Ansu (Shiv is elder than Ansu).

This fixes Ansu at the bottom. The possible positions for the others (Shiv, Som, Riaz) are 1 (eldest), 2, or 3, but we need more to pinpoint the eldest.

Visual age ladder (youngest to eldest):

• 4: Ansu

• 3: ?

• 2: ?

• 1: ? (Eldest)

Without statements, multiple orders are possible (e.g., Shiv eldest or Riaz eldest). Now, evaluate the statements.

Statement 1: Shiv is Younger to Riaz (Shiv < Riaz)

Adding this: Shiv < Riaz, plus base facts.

• Ansu youngest (4).

• Som < Riaz.

• Shiv > Ansu but Shiv < Riaz.

Possible order:

• Riaz must be elder than both Som and Shiv, and only Ansu is fixed below. Riaz can occupy position 1 (eldest).

Confirmed ranking:

1. Riaz (eldest)

2. Shiv or Som

3. Som or Shiv

4. Ansu

No other child can be eldest—Shiv < Riaz, Som < Riaz, Ansu youngest. Statement 1 alone determines the eldest child in the group as Riaz.

Statement 2: Shiv is Elder to Som (Shiv > Som)

Adding this: Shiv > Som, plus base facts.

• Ansu youngest (4).

• Som < Riaz.

• Shiv > Ansu and Shiv > Som.

Possible orders:

• Option 1: Shiv (1), Riaz (2), Som (3), Ansu (4)

• Option 2: Riaz (1), Shiv (2), Som (3), Ansu (4)

Shiv > Som and Shiv > Ansu, but Shiv’s relation to Riaz is unknown. Riaz > Som, but Riaz could be above or below Shiv. Two possibilities exist, so we can’t uniquely determine the eldest child in the group. Statement 2 alone is insufficient.

Evaluating All Options: Why Only One is Correct

• (A) Statement 1 by itself determines the eldest child.
  Correct! As shown, it fixes Riaz as #1. No ambiguity.

• (B) Statement 2 by itself determines the eldest child.
  Incorrect. Allows Shiv or Riaz as eldest.

• (C) Statements 1 and 2 are both required to determine the eldest child.
  Incorrect. Statement 1 alone suffices; adding 2 is redundant but doesn’t change the result.

• (D) Statements 1 and 2 are not sufficient to determine the eldest child.
  Incorrect. Together (or just 1), Riaz is clearly eldest.

Correct Answer: (A)

Tips to Master Data Sufficiency Age Ranking Questions

Practice these to ace similar puzzles:

• Draw age ladders or tables for visuals.

• Test each statement independently first.

• Eliminate impossibilities step-by-step.

• Common trap: Assuming transitivity without proof (e.g., Shiv > Ansu + Shiv > Som doesn’t rank Shiv vs. Riaz).

Mastering questions like “how to determine the eldest child in the group” boosts your logical reasoning score. Try variations with five people or inequalities.