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Question

Which two signs should be interchanged to make the following equation correct?

4 × 5 - 24 ÷ 12 + 8 = 14

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2018 (Tier 2) Statistics Previous Year Paper (22-feb-2018)
The correct answer is

+ and -

The question asks us to find which two mathematical signs, when interchanged in the given equation, make the equation mathematically correct. The original equation is:

\(4 \times 5 - 24 \div 12 + 8 = 14\)

Let's evaluate the original equation using the BODMAS/PEMDAS rule (Brackets, Orders/Exponents, Division/Multiplication from left to right, Addition/Subtraction from left to right).

First, perform the multiplication and division:

\(4 \times 5 = 20\)

\(24 \div 12 = 2\)

Substitute these values back into the equation:

\(20 - 2 + 8\)

Now, perform the subtraction and addition from left to right:

\(20 - 2 = 18\)

\(18 + 8 = 26\)

So, the original equation evaluates to \(26\), which is not equal to \(14\). Therefore, the original equation is incorrect, and we need to interchange signs.

Testing Sign Interchange Options

We will now test each option by interchanging the specified signs and re-evaluating the equation using BODMAS/PEMDAS to see which interchange makes the equation equal to 14.

Option 1: Interchange + and - signs

Swap the '-' sign with the '+' sign in the original equation. The new equation becomes:

\(4 \times 5 + 24 \div 12 - 8\)

Now, evaluate this equation:

  1. First, Multiplication and Division:
  2. \(4 \times 5 = 20\)
  3. \(24 \div 12 = 2\)
  4. Substitute back: \(20 + 2 - 8\)
  5. Now, Addition and Subtraction from left to right:
  6. \(20 + 2 = 22\)
  7. \(22 - 8 = 14\)

The result is \(14\), which matches the right side of the given equation. So, interchanging '+' and '-' signs makes the equation correct.

Option 2: Interchange ÷ and × signs

Swap the '×' sign with the '÷' sign. The new equation becomes:

\(4 \div 5 - 24 \times 12 + 8\)

Evaluate this equation:

  1. First, Division and Multiplication:
  2. \(4 \div 5 = 0.8\)
  3. \(24 \times 12 = 288\)
  4. Substitute back: \(0.8 - 288 + 8\)
  5. Now, Subtraction and Addition:
  6. \(0.8 - 288 = -287.2\)
  7. \(-287.2 + 8 = -279.2\)

The result is \(-279.2\), which is not equal to \(14\).

Option 3: Interchange × and + signs

Swap the '×' sign with the '+' sign. The new equation becomes:

\(4 + 5 - 24 \div 12 \times 8\)

Evaluate this equation:

  1. First, Division and Multiplication:
  2. \(24 \div 12 = 2\)
  3. \(2 \times 8 = 16\)
  4. Substitute back: \(4 + 5 - 16\)
  5. Now, Addition and Subtraction:
  6. \(4 + 5 = 9\)
  7. \(9 - 16 = -7\)

The result is \(-7\), which is not equal to \(14\).

Option 4: Interchange + and ÷ signs

Swap the '+' sign with the '÷' sign. The new equation becomes:

\(4 \times 5 - 24 + 12 \div 8\)

Evaluate this equation:

  1. First, Multiplication and Division:
  2. \(4 \times 5 = 20\)
  3. \(12 \div 8 = 1.5\)
  4. Substitute back: \(20 - 24 + 1.5\)
  5. Now, Subtraction and Addition:
  6. \(20 - 24 = -4\)
  7. \(-4 + 1.5 = -2.5\)

The result is \(-2.5\), which is not equal to \(14\).

Based on the evaluation of all options, interchanging the '+' and '-' signs makes the equation correct.

Revision Table: Evaluating Options for Sign Interchange

Original Equation \(4 \times 5 - 24 \div 12 + 8 = 14\) Evaluates to: \(20 - 2 + 8 = 26\) (Incorrect)
Option 1 (+ and -) \(4 \times 5 + 24 \div 12 - 8\) Evaluates to: \(20 + 2 - 8 = 22 - 8 = 14\) (Correct)
Option 2 (÷ and ×) \(4 \div 5 - 24 \times 12 + 8\) Evaluates to: \(0.8 - 288 + 8 = -279.2\) (Incorrect)
Option 3 (× and +) \(4 + 5 - 24 \div 12 \times 8\) Evaluates to: \(4 + 5 - 16 = 9 - 16 = -7\) (Incorrect)
Option 4 (+ and ÷) \(4 \times 5 - 24 + 12 \div 8\) Evaluates to: \(20 - 24 + 1.5 = -4 + 1.5 = -2.5\) (Incorrect)

Additional Information on BODMAS/PEMDAS

The BODMAS or PEMDAS rule is crucial for evaluating mathematical expressions correctly. It dictates the order in which operations should be performed:

  • B / P: Brackets (Parentheses) - Operations inside brackets are performed first.
  • O / E: Orders (Exponents) - Powers and square roots are evaluated next.
  • D / M: Division and Multiplication - These are performed from left to right as they appear. They have equal priority.
  • A / S: Addition and Subtraction - These are performed from left to right as they appear. They have equal priority.

Understanding and applying this order is essential for solving problems involving multiple operations, like the sign interchange problem we solved.

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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.

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  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?

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

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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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