यदि लेखनी < पेंसिल, पेंसिल < पुस्तक तथा पुस्तक > टोपी, तो निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा एक सदैव सत्य है?
Read this question in English
If Pen < Pencil, Pencil < Book and Book > Cap, then which one of the following is always true?
(a) Pen > Cap · (b) Pen < Book · (c) Pencil = Cap · (d) Pencil > Cap
उत्तर और व्याख्या · explanation in English
Answer: (b) लेखनी < पुस्तक
Pen < Pencil < Book is an unbroken chain, so Pen < Book always. Cap is tied only through Book > Cap, which says nothing about how Cap compares with Pen or Pencil.
- Join the first two relations: Pen < Pencil < Book, so Pen < Book.
- Book > Cap points the other way; Cap could be above or below Pen and Pencil.
- So (a), (c) and (d) are not always true, while (b) is.
Remember · A comparison is certain only if an unbroken chain of signs points the same way between the two items.
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2018, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·