If / stands for greater than, * stands for addition, + stands for division, -…
2014
If / stands for greater than, * stands for addition, + stands for division, - stands for equal to, > stands for multiplication, = stands for less than, and < stands for minus, then which of the following is correct?
Answer: B. 3 * 2 < 4 / 6 + 3 < 2 — ConceptIn coded mathematical-operation questions, every printed symbol must first be replaced by the meaning assigned in the stem. Only after all replacements…
- A.
3 + 2 < 4 / 6 > 3 * 2
- B.
3 * 2 < 4 / 6 + 3 < 2
- C.
3 > 2 < 4 - 6 * 3 * 2
- D.
3 * 2 * 4 = 6 + 3 < 2
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Correct answer: B
Concept
In coded mathematical-operation questions, every printed symbol must first be replaced by the meaning assigned in the stem. Only after all replacements are complete should ordinary arithmetic precedence and the resulting comparison be evaluated.
Application
Use the mapping / → >, * → +, + → ÷, - → =, > → ×, = → <, and < → -.
For 3 * 2 < 4 / 6 + 3 < 2, replace the symbols to obtain 3 + 2 - 4 > 6 ÷ 3 - 2.
Evaluate the left side: 3 + 2 - 4 = 5 - 4 = 1.
Evaluate the right side: 6 ÷ 3 - 2 = 2 - 2 = 0.
Compare the results: 1 > 0 is true.
Cross-check
3 ÷ 2 - 4 gives -2.5, whereas 6 × 3 + 2 gives 20.
3 × 2 - 4 gives 2, whereas 6 + 3 + 2 gives 11.
3 + 2 + 4 gives 9, whereas 6 ÷ 3 - 2 gives 0.
Therefore, 3 * 2 < 4 / 6 + 3 < 2 is the correct expression.