Reasoning : Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability

Q 222 / 325

UPSC CSE Prelims 2015

A society consists of only two types of people – fighters and cowards. Two cowards are always friends. A fighter and a coward are always enemies. Fighters are indifferent to one another. If A and B are enemies, C and D are friends, E and F are indifferent to each other, A and E are not enemies, while B and F are enemies.

Which of the following statements is correct?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option (2)

Based on the given societal rules and relationships, the category of each individual can be deduced:

  • "C and D are friends": According to the rules, "Two cowards are always friends." Therefore, C is a coward and D is a coward.
  • "E and F are indifferent to each other": According to the rules, "Fighters are indifferent to one another." Therefore, E is a fighter and F is a fighter.
  • "A and E are not enemies": Since E is a fighter, and "A fighter and a coward are always enemies," A cannot be a coward. Thus, A must be a fighter (as fighters are indifferent to one another and not enemies).
  • "A and B are enemies": Since A is a fighter, and "A fighter and a coward are always enemies," B must be a coward.
  • "B and F are enemies": This relationship is consistent with B being a coward and F being a fighter.

Therefore, A is a fighter, E is a fighter, and F is a fighter. The statement "A, E and F are fighters" is correct.

Incorrect Options:

  • Option 1: B, C and F are cowards. While B and C are cowards, F has been determined to be a fighter. Hence, this statement is incorrect.

  • Option 3: B and E are in the same category. B is a coward, and E is a fighter. They belong to different categories. Hence, this statement is incorrect.

  • Option 4: A and F are in different categories. A is a fighter, and F is also a fighter. They belong to the same category. Hence, this statement is incorrect.