The third statement, 'Jacob is elder than Ethan,' cannot be confirmed as true or false based on the first two statements alone. We know Ethan is not older than Michael, and Michael is not older than Jacob, but without the direct comparison between Ethan and Jacob, the conclusion is indeterminable.
When considering the statements provided about Ethan, Michael, and Jacob, we are dealing with a logical sequence of age-related comparisons. To analyze the validity of the third statement, we must accept the first two statements as true and build upon that premise:
Ethan is not elder than Michael suggests that Ethan is either younger than or the same age as Michael.
Michael is not elder than Jacob suggests that Michael is either younger than or the same age as Jacob.
Given these first two points, the comparative age of Jacob to Ethan cannot be determined without additional information. Therefore, if the third statement is Jacob is elder than Ethan, it cannot be concluded with certainty solely based on the first two statements.
Without knowing the specific relation between Jacob and Ethan, we cannot accurately assess the third statement. It could be true or false, but there's not enough information given in the first two statements to make a definitive conclusion.