What will come in place of the question mark ‘?’ in the following question?

2025202520252023

What will come in place of the question mark ‘?’ in the following question?

  1. A.

    2(13/29)

  2. B.

    2(37/45)

  3. C.

    4(3/8)

  4. D.

    4(13/45)

Attempted by 2 students.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Concept: Simplifying a mixed expression with roots and fractions follows two rules — the square root of a perfect-square fraction, √(a²/b²) = a/b for positive a, b — and the standard order of operations (BODMAS): resolve roots and products before addition or subtraction, then combine any remaining fractions over their least common denominator (LCD).

  1. Simplify the square root: since 169 = 132 and 225 = 152, √(169/225) = 13/15.

  2. Multiply: (24/13) × (13/15) — the 13s cancel, leaving 24/15, which reduces to 8/5.

  3. The expression now reads 8/5 + 14/9 − 1/3. The least common denominator of 5, 9 and 3 is 45.

  4. Convert each fraction to forty-fifths: 8/5 = 72/45, 14/9 = 70/45, 1/3 = 15/45.

  5. Combine: 72/45 + 70/45 − 15/45 = 127/45.

  6. Convert to a mixed number: 127 ÷ 45 = 2 remainder 37, so 127/45 = 2 37/45.

Cross-check with decimals: 24/13 ≈ 1.846, √(169/225) ≈ 0.867, so the product ≈ 1.6; adding 14/9 ≈ 1.556 and subtracting 1/3 ≈ 0.333 gives ≈ 2.822, which matches 2 37/45 ≈ 2.822.

So the value that replaces the question mark is 2 37/45.

Explore the full course: Cognizant Preparation