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

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

17 + 10 × 5 ÷ 9 + 18 = 53

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

× and ÷

Solving Mathematical Equation by Swapping Signs

The problem asks us to find which pair of mathematical signs needs to be interchanged in the given equation to make it correct. The original equation is:

\(17 + 10 \times 5 \div 9 + 18 = 53\)

Let's evaluate the original equation using the order of operations (BODMAS/PEMDAS):

\(17 + (10 \times 5) \div 9 + 18\)

\(17 + 50 \div 9 + 18\)

\(17 + (50 \div 9) + 18\)

Since \(50 \div 9\) results in a non-integer (\(\approx 5.56\)), the original equation does not result in the integer 53. We need to test each option by swapping the specified signs and re-evaluating the equation.

Testing Options for Sign Interchange

Option 1: Interchanging + and ÷

If we interchange the + and ÷ signs, the equation becomes:

\(17 \div 10 \times 5 + 9 \div 18 = 53\)

Evaluate using order of operations:

\((17 \div 10) \times 5 + (9 \div 18)\)

\(1.7 \times 5 + 0.5\)

\(8.5 + 0.5 = 9\)

This does not equal 53.

Option 2: Interchanging + and ×

If we interchange the + and × signs, the equation becomes:

\(17 \times 10 + 5 \div 9 \times 18 = 53\)

Evaluate using order of operations:

\((17 \times 10) + (5 \div 9) \times 18\)

\(170 + (5/9) \times 18\)

\(170 + (5 \times 18 / 9)\)

\(170 + (90 / 9)\)

\(170 + 10 = 180\)

This does not equal 53.

Option 3: Interchanging + and −

The original equation does not contain a − sign. Therefore, this interchange is not possible with the given equation structure.

Option 4: Interchanging × and ÷

If we interchange the × and ÷ signs, the equation becomes:

\(17 + 10 \div 5 \times 9 + 18 = 53\)

Evaluate using order of operations:

\(17 + (10 \div 5) \times 9 + 18\)

\(17 + 2 \times 9 + 18\)

\(17 + (2 \times 9) + 18\)

\(17 + 18 + 18\)

\(17 + 36 = 53\)

This equals 53. Therefore, interchanging the × and ÷ signs makes the equation correct.

Conclusion

By testing each option and applying the order of operations, we find that interchanging the × and ÷ signs correctly solves the mathematical equation, resulting in 53.

Revision Table: Checking Sign Interchanges

Interchanged Signs New Equation Evaluation Result Correct?
+ and ÷ \(17 \div 10 \times 5 + 9 \div 18\) \(1.7 \times 5 + 0.5 = 8.5 + 0.5 = 9\) 9 No
+ and × \(17 \times 10 + 5 \div 9 \times 18\) \(170 + (5/9) \times 18 = 170 + 10 = 180\) 180 No
× and ÷ \(17 + 10 \div 5 \times 9 + 18\) \(17 + 2 \times 9 + 18 = 17 + 18 + 18 = 53\) 53 Yes

Additional Information on Order of Operations

When solving mathematical equations involving multiple operations, it is crucial to follow a specific order. This order is commonly known by acronyms like BODMAS or PEMDAS.

  • BODMAS: Brackets, Orders (powers/roots), Division and Multiplication (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).
  • PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).

In the context of this problem, Division and Multiplication are performed before Addition and Subtraction. If both Division and Multiplication are present, they are performed from left to right as they appear in the equation. Similarly, Addition and Subtraction are performed from left to right.

Understanding the correct order of operations is fundamental to solving such mathematical equation problems accurately.

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