Blood relations
Track people, generations, and stated gender without adding assumptions beyond the wording.
Build a family diagram#
Place older generations above younger ones. Connect partners horizontally when stated and children below parents. Use initials to keep the diagram small.
Follow the exact chain#
If A is B's sister and B is C's father, A is C's aunt. Work one link at a time rather than jumping to a familiar label.
The direction matters. “X is the son of Y” gives X's relation to Y directly; a question may ask Y's relation to X instead.
Use only stated information#
Names do not always reveal gender reliably, and family structures vary. Mark gender only from terms such as mother, brother, daughter, or an explicit statement.
Common mistakes#
Do not assume that two children of the same adult have the same other parent unless the problem requires it. Avoid confusing maternal and paternal relations when the relevant parent is identified.
Final check#
Locate the two requested people, count their generation difference, follow the connecting path, and state the relationship from the correct person's point of view.
Key points
- Place people by generation before naming a relationship.
- Mark stated gender only when the problem provides it.
- Interpret chains from the named person's point of view.
- Do not assume unstated marriage, sibling, or gender details.