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Question

If the signs ‘+’ and ‘÷ ' are interchanged, then which of the following equations can be correctly balanced?

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2020 (Tier-2) Statistics Previous Year Paper 3 (28-Jan-2022)
The correct answer is 22 + 11 × 8 ÷ 3 = 19 
  • The core task is to determine which mathematical equation becomes correctly balanced after swapping the '+' (addition) and '÷' (division) signs.
  • We need to examine each option provided, apply the sign interchange rule, and verify the resulting equation using the order of operations (BODMAS/PEMDAS).

Analyzing Sign Interchange: '+' and '÷'

The rule requires us to replace every '+' sign with a '÷' sign and every '÷' sign with a '+' sign within the given equations.

Option 1: `22 + 11 × 8 ÷ 3 = 19`

  • Original Equation: 22 + 11 × 8 ÷ 3 = 19
  • Applying the Interchange Rule: Replace '+' with '÷' and '÷' with '+'. The equation becomes: 22 ÷ 11 × 8 + 3 = 19
  • Calculation Steps (BODMAS/PEMDAS):
    • Division first: 22 ÷ 11 = 2
    • Multiplication next: 2 × 8 = 16
    • Addition last: 16 + 3 = 19
  • Result: The calculation yields 19, which matches the right side of the equation (19 = 19).
  • Conclusion: This equation is correctly balanced after the sign interchange.

Option 2: `24 – 12 ÷ 6 + 3 = 20`

  • Original Equation: 24 – 12 ÷ 6 + 3 = 20
  • Applying the Interchange Rule: The equation becomes: 24 – 12 + 6 ÷ 3 = 20
  • Calculation Steps (BODMAS/PEMDAS):
    • Division first: 6 ÷ 3 = 2
    • Subtraction next: 24 – 12 = 12
    • Addition last: 12 + 2 = 14
  • Result: The calculation yields 14, which does not match the right side of the equation (14 &neq 20).
  • Conclusion: This equation is not correctly balanced.

Option 3: `12 + 4 – 8 ÷ 3 = 11`

  • Original Equation: 12 + 4 – 8 ÷ 3 = 11
  • Applying the Interchange Rule: The equation becomes: 12 ÷ 4 – 8 + 3 = 11
  • Calculation Steps (BODMAS/PEMDAS):
    • Division first: 12 ÷ 4 = 3
    • Subtraction next: 3 – 8 = -5
    • Addition last: -5 + 3 = -2
  • Result: The calculation yields -2, which does not match the right side of the equation (-2 &neq 11).
  • Conclusion: This equation is not correctly balanced.

Option 4: `16 + 4 × 8 ÷ 3 = 45`

  • Original Equation: 16 + 4 × 8 ÷ 3 = 45
  • Applying the Interchange Rule: The equation becomes: 16 ÷ 4 × 8 + 3 = 45
  • Calculation Steps (BODMAS/PEMDAS):
    • Division first: 16 ÷ 4 = 4
    • Multiplication next: 4 × 8 = 32
    • Addition last: 32 + 3 = 35
  • Result: The calculation yields 35, which does not match the right side of the equation (35 &neq 45).
  • Conclusion: This equation is not correctly balanced.

Final Conclusion on Balanced Equations

After interchanging the '+' and '÷' signs, only the first equation results in a true statement. The other equations do not balance when the signs are swapped according to the specified rule.

Therefore, the correctly balanced equation after interchanging '+' and '÷' is:

22 ÷ 11 × 8 + 3 = 19

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Similar Questions

  1. Read the given statements and conclusions carefully. You have to take the given statements to be true even if they seem to be at variance from commonly known facts. You have to decide which conclusion/s logically follow/s from the given statements.

    Statements:

    All beaches are sand.

    Some deserts are sand.

    All mountains are rocky. 

    Conclusions:

    (I) At least some beaches are desert.

    (II) At least some sands are rocky.

  2. Select the correct combination of mathematical signs that can sequentially replace the * signs and balance the given equation.

    256 * 4 * 9 * 3 * 14 = 51

  3. Select the correct combination of mathematical signs to sequentially replace the * signs and balance the given equation.

    86 * 54 * 34 * 68 * 2 * 33

  4. Which two signs should be interchanged to make the given equation correct?

    60 × 4 + 9 ÷ 3 - 8 = 34

  5. If '+' means 'division', '-' means 'multiplication', '÷' means 'addition' and '× ' means 'subtraction', then what is the value of the following expression?

    14 - 4 ÷ 133 + 7 × 17

  6. Which two signs should be interchanged to make the given equation correct?

    625 ÷ 25 + 7 × 318 - 112 = 381

  7. Select the correct combination of mathematical signs to sequentially replace the * signs and to balance the given equation.

    5 * 23 * 24 * 4 * 10 * 111

  8. Which of the following interchanges of signs would make the given equation correct?

    100 + 100 × 50 - 2 ÷ 3 = 51 

  9. Which of the following interchange of numbers and signs would make the given equation correct?

    24 × 9 + 6 ÷ 24 - 18 = 22   

  10. Select the correct combination of mathematical signs that can sequentially replace the * signs and balance the given equation.

    11 * 13 * 238 * 17 * 34 = 123 


Important Questions from Logical Puzzle

  1. If ‘A’ denotes ‘addition’, ‘B’ denotes ‘subtraction’, ‘C’ denotes ‘multiplication’ and ‘D’ denotes ‘division’, then what will be the value of the following expression?

    6 C (57 B 8) D 7 B 32 A 9

  2. If, 5 + 7 = 47, 3 + 8 = 35, 9 + 2 = 29 then 7 + 4 = ?

  3. Which two signs need to be interchanged to make the following equation correct?

    63 ÷ 21 – 7 + 28 × 3 = 144

  4. If ‘–’ stands for ‘÷’, ‘+’ stands for ‘×’, ‘÷’ stands for ‘–’ and ‘×’ stands for ‘+’, then 80 – 20 + 10 ÷ 8 × 10 is equal to:

  5. Which two signs need to be interchanged to make the given equation correct?

    3 ÷ 2 - 4 × 5 + 5 = 1
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