What approximate value will come in place of the question mark (?) in the…

Concept: In an "approximate value" aptitude question, each decimal figure is rounded to its nearest whole number, and the requested expression is then evaluated using those rounded whole numbers instead of the exact decimals — the question intends the offered option closest to this rounded result, not an exact algebraic equality.

Application: Round every term in (9.96)3 – (25.9)2 – (2.9)5 to its nearest whole number, then evaluate step by step.

1. Round the three decimals to their nearest whole numbers: 9.96 → 10, 25.9 → 26, 2.9 → 3.

2. Evaluate each power: 103 = 1000, 262 = 676, 35 = 243.

3. Combine the three rounded terms in the order given: 1000 – 676 – 243.

4. 1000 – 676 = 324, and 324 – 243 = 81.

Cross-check: Re-add the two subtracted terms first — 676 + 243 = 919 — and subtract once from 1000: 1000 – 919 = 81, the same result, confirming the arithmetic.

So the approximate value of the expression is 81.