Question

What will come in place of the question mark (?) in the following equation, if '+' is interchanged with '×', and '÷' is interchanged with '—'?

6 ÷ 16 × 4 ÷ 8 — 8 + 2 × 7 = ?

• A. -1
• B. 1
• C. 23
• D. 0

Answer 1

Answer:

A. -1

The value that will come in place of the question mark is -1.

First, interchange the signs according to the rules:

• + and × swap places (+ $\leftrightarrow$ ×)

• ÷ and — swap places (÷ $\leftrightarrow$ —)

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1. Substituting the signs into the equation:

• Original: 6 ÷ 16 × 4 ÷ 8 — 8 + 2 × 7 = ?

• Interchanged: 6 — 16 + 4 — 8 ÷ 8 × 2 + 7 = ?

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2. Solving using BODMAS rules:

• Step 1: Division (÷)

  • 8 ÷ 8 = 1

  • The equation becomes: 6 — 16 + 4 — 1 × 2 + 7

• Step 2: Multiplication (×)

  • 1 × 2 = 2

  • The equation becomes: 6 — 16 + 4 — 2 + 7

• Step 3: Addition and Subtraction (+ / —)

  • Group the positive numbers together: 6 + 4 + 7 = 17

  • Group the negative numbers together: —16 — 2 = —18

  • Final calculation: 17 — 18 = -1