UPSC Prelims 2010·GS1·polity-and-governance·governance

P, Q, R and S are four men. P is the oldest but not the poorest. R is the richest but not the oldest. Q is older than S but not than P or R. P is richer than Q but not than S. The four men can be ordered (descending) in respect of age and richness, respectively, as

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Last updated 8 Jul 2026, 4:39 pm IST
  1. APQRS, RPSQ
  2. BPRQS, RSPQCorrect
  3. CPRQS, RSQP
  4. DPRSQ, RSPQ

Explanation

To find the correct order, we analyze the statements for age and richness separately.

For Age:

  1. P is the oldest.
  2. Q is older than S but not than P or R. This means P and R are both older than Q, and Q is older than S.
  3. Since P is the oldest, the sequence starts with P.
  4. Between R and Q, R is older.
  5. Therefore, the age order from oldest to youngest is P, R, Q, S.

For Richness:

  1. R is the richest.
  2. P is richer than Q but not than S. This means S is richer than P, and P is richer than Q.
  3. Combining these, R is at the top, followed by S, then P, and finally Q.
  4. Therefore, the richness order from richest to poorest is R, S, P, Q.

Matching these results with the options, Age is PRQS and Richness is RSPQ. This corresponds to Option B.

polity-and-governance: P, Q, R and S are four men. P is the oldest but not the poorest. R is the richest but not the oldest. Q is older than S
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