Which relation is a third-degree relative?

Which relation is a third-degree relative?

• A. Great-Grandparent
• B. Grandparent
• C. Aunt/Uncle
• D. Parent

Answer: (A)

Understanding how kinship degrees are counted helps explain this. The degree of relation is determined by how many steps you must take in the family tree to reach the other person. Each move from one generation to the next counts as one step. A parent is one step away from you, so that’s first-degree. A grandparent or an aunt/uncle takes two steps (you → parent → grandparent or you → parent → aunt/uncle), making them second-degree. A great-grandparent, however, is three steps away (you → parent → grandparent → great-grandparent), which makes it a third-degree relative.

Understanding how kinship degrees are counted helps explain this. The degree of relation is determined by how many steps you must take in the family tree to reach the other person. Each move from one generation to the next counts as one step.

A parent is one step away from you, so that’s first-degree. A grandparent or an aunt/uncle takes two steps (you → parent → grandparent or you → parent → aunt/uncle), making them second-degree. A great-grandparent, however, is three steps away (you → parent → grandparent → great-grandparent), which makes it a third-degree relative.