Question

If '+' means '÷', '−' means '+', '×' means '−' and '÷' means '×', then, what will be the value of the following expression?

$[\{(12 \times 3) - (2 \div 3)\} + (1 - 4)] \div 4$

• A. 12
• B. 16
• C. 9
• D. 8

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 12

The value of the expression is 12.

1. Substitute the signs according to the given rules:

   • Change + to ÷

   • Change − to +

   • Change × to −

   • Change ÷ to ×

   The original expression:
   $[\{(12 \times 3) - (2 \div 3)\} + (1 - 4)] \div 4$ The newly substituted expression becomes:
   $[\{(12 - 3) + (2 \times 3)\} \div (1 + 4)] \times 4$

2. Solve using the BODMAS rule (from the inside out):

   • Innermost Parentheses ( ):

     • $(12 - 3) = 9$

     • $(2 \times 3) = 6$

     • $(1 + 4) = 5$

     The expression updates to: $[\{9 + 6\} \div 5] \times 4$

   • Curly Braces { }:

     • $\{9 + 6\} = 15$

     The expression updates to: $[15 \div 5] \times 4$

   • Square Brackets [ ]:

     • $[15 \div 5] = 3$

   • Final Multiplication:

     • $3 \times 4 = 12$