Four persons A, B, C and D consisting of two married couples are in a group. Both the women are shorter than their respective husbands. A is the tallest among the four. C is taller than B. D is B's brother. In this context, which one of the following statements is not correct ?
- (a) All four have family ties.
- (b) B is the shortest among the four.
- (c) C is taller than D. ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) A is B's husband.
Why the answer is (c)
• D is B's brother, so D is male and B and D are siblings, not a married couple.
• A is tallest, so A cannot be a wife because her husband would have to be taller; hence A is male.
• With A and D male, B and C are female; since B and D cannot be a couple, the couples are A-B and C-D.
• Both women are shorter than their husbands, so B < A and C < D; given C > B, the order is A > D > C > B.
• Therefore B is shortest, A is B's husband, all four have family ties, and C is not taller than D, so option (c) is not correct.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) All four have family ties.
- All four have family ties because A and B are married, C and D are married, and B and D are siblings.
- (b) B is the shortest among the four.
- B is the shortest because A > D > C > B follows from A being tallest, C > B, and C < D.
- (d) A is B's husband.
- A is B's husband because A and D are the two men and B and D cannot be a married couple.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2015, held on 23 August 2015. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.