All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

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

321 * 3 * 236 * 5 * 248 * 4 * 20 = 384 

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2023 (Tier-II) Paper 1 Previous Year Paper (26-Oct-2023) (Shift-1)
The correct answer is

+, -, ×, +, ÷, ×

The objective is to find the correct sequence of mathematical signs to replace the asterisks (*) in the given equation, ensuring the equation is balanced and evaluates to the target value.

Balancing the Equation: Finding the Correct Sign Combination

We are given the equation:

321 * 3 * 236 * 5 * 248 * 4 * 20 = 384

We need to replace each asterisk (*) with one of the signs: '+', '-', '×', or '÷' in the correct sequence. The key to solving this is to apply the standard order of operations (often remembered by PEMDAS/BODMAS).

  • Parentheses/Brackets
  • Exponents/Orders
  • Multiplication and Division (from left to right)
  • Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)

Let's test the provided options by substituting the signs and evaluating the expression.

Evaluating Option 1: +, -, ×, +, ÷, ×

Substitute the signs from Option 1 into the equation:

321 + 3 - 236 × 5 + 248 ÷ 4 × 20

Now, let's evaluate this expression step-by-step following the order of operations:

  1. Multiplication and Division (from left to right):
    • First multiplication: 236 × 5 = 1180
    • Division: 248 ÷ 4 = 62
    • Second multiplication: 62 × 20 = 1240

    The expression now becomes:

    321 + 3 - 1180 + 1240

  2. Addition and Subtraction (from left to right):
    • 321 + 3 = 324
    • 324 - 1180 = -856
    • -856 + 1240 = 384

The final result is 384, which matches the right-hand side of the original equation. Therefore, this combination of signs correctly balances the equation.

Conclusion on Correct Combination

By systematically applying the order of operations, we found that the sequence '+, -, ×, +, ÷, ×' successfully balances the equation.

The correct combination of mathematical signs to sequentially replace the asterisks is:

+, -, ×, +, ÷, ×

This confirms that Option 1 is the correct answer, as it provides the sequence of operators that makes the left side of the equation equal to the right side (384).

Was this answer helpful?

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
Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
SSC JHT
September 08, 2026
SSC Stenographer
September 09, 2026
SSC Selection Post
September 16, 2026
Test Series
SSC CGL img
SSC
SSC CGL (Tier I + Tier II) 2026 Mock Test Series - Latest Pattern
2500 Tests 6 Tests Free
3990 Attempts
4.2(838)
English, Hindi

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App