Government of TamilNadu

Department of Employment and Training

Course : RRB
Subject : Reasoning
Topic : Problem Solving

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Department of Employment and Training
 Problem Solving

PROBLEM SOLVING

In this type of test, artificial signs are allotted to the original signs like +,-,* and / in the
questions. The questions involving these operations are set using artificial symbols. It is required
to substitute the real signs and solve the questions accordingly.

1) Problem solving by substitution:

In this, you are given substitutes for various mathematical symbols or numerals followed
by question involving calculation of an expression or choosing the correct/incorrect equation.
The candidate is required to put in real signs or numerals in the given equation and then solve the
questions as required.

BODMAS rule:

While solving the equation, the following order should be followed.

B → Brackets first (parentheses)
O → of (orders i.e. Powers and Square Roots, Cube Roots, etc.)
DM → Division and Multiplication (start from left to right)
AS → Addition and Subtraction (start from left to right)

EXAMPLE 1

If ‘ + ‘ means ‘minus’, ‘x’ means ‘divided by’, ‘‚’ means ‘plus’ and ‘-‘ means ‘multiplied by’,
then which of the following will be the value of the expression 252 * 9 – 5 +32 ÷92?

A) 95 B) 168 C) 192 D) 200 E) None

Solution:
Putting the proper signs in the given expression,
=252÷9*5-32+92
=28*5-32+92
=40-32+92
=232-32
=200
Hence Answer is D

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 Problem Solving
Example 2:
If ‘+ ‘means ‘*’, ‘*’ means ‘-’, ‘‚’ means ‘+’ and ‘-‘means ‘‚’, then which of the following will
be the value of the expression 175-25÷5+20*3+10?
A) 77 B) 160 C) 240 D) 2370
Answer:
Putting the proper signs in the given expression,
=175÷25+5*20-3*10
=7+5*20-3*10
=7+100-30
=77
Hence answer is A.

Example 3:
If L stands for +, M stands for -, N stands for *, P stands for ÷, then
14 N 10 L 42 P 2 M 8 =?
A) 153 B) 216 C) 248 D) 251
Answer:
Using the proper signs, we get
Given expression:
=14*10+42÷2-8
=14*10+21-8
=140+21-8
=161-8
=153
Hence Answer is A

Example 4
If 20-10 means 200, 8÷4 means 12, 6*2 means 4, then
A) 0 B) 20 C) 1090 D) 1900
=100-10*1000+1000÷100-10
=1000-1000+10-10
=0
Hence Answer is A

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 Problem Solving
2) Interchanging of signs and numbers:

Example 1:

If the given interchanges namely: signs + and ÷ and numbers 2 and 4 are made in signs and
numbers, which one of the following four equations would be correct?

a) 2 + 4 ÷ 3 = 3 b) 4 + 2 ÷ 6 =1.5 c) 4÷2+3=4 d) 2+4÷6=8

Solution:

Interchanging (+ and ÷) and (2 and 4), we get:

a) 4÷2+3=3 or 5 = 3, which is false

b) 2 ÷ 4 +6=1.5 or 6.5=1.5 which is false

c) 2 + 4 ÷ 3= 4 or 10/3=4 which is false

d) 4 ÷ 2 + 6 =8 or 8 = 8, which is true

Hence the answer is (d)

Example 2:

If the given interchanges namely: signs + and ÷ and numbers 2 and 4 are made in signs and
numbers, which one of the following four equations would be correct?

A) 2+4÷3=3 B) 4+2÷6=1.5 C) 4÷2+3=4 D) 2+4÷6=8

Solution:

Interchanging (+ and ÷) and (2 and 4), we get:

a) 4÷2+3=3 or 5=3, is false

b) 2÷4+6=1.5 or 6.5=1.5 is false

c) 2+4÷3=4 or 10/3=4, is false

d) 4 ÷ 2 + 6=8 or 8=8 is true

Hence answer is D.

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 Problem Solving
Example 3

Which one of the four interchanges in signs and numbers would make the given equation
correct?

3+5-2=4

a) + and -, 2 and 3 b) + and -, 2 and 5 c) + and -, 3 and 5 d) None

Solution:

By making the interchanges given in (a) we get the equation as 2 – 5 +3 =4 or c=4, is false

By making the interchanges given in (b) we get the equation as 3-2 + 5=4 or 6=4, is false

By making the interchanges given in (c) we get the equation as 5-3+2=4 or 4=4, is true

So, answer is C

3) Derive the appropriate conclusion:

In this type of questions, certain relationship between different sets of elements is given
(in terms of less than, greater than or equal to using either the real symbols or substituted
symbols. It is required to replace the symbols and find whether the given expression is true or
not.

Example 1:
If A + B > C + D and B + C > A + D, then it is definite that
a)D>B b)C>D c) A>D d)B > D
Answer:
Given :
A + B > C + D ……..(i)
B + C > A + D …….(ii)
Adding (i) and (ii),
(A + B) + (B+C) > (C + D) + (A+D)
=A + 2B + C > C + 2D + A
=2B > 2D
=B>D
Hence the answer is (d)

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 Problem Solving
Example 2:
In the following questions, the symbols @, !,$,% and # are used with the following meanings as
illustrated below:
‘A $ B’ means ‘A is not smaller than B’
‘A # B’ means ‘A is not greater than B’
‘A @ B’ means ‘A is neither smaller than nor equal to B’
‘A! B’ means ‘A is neither smaller than nor greater than B’
‘A % B’ means ‘A is neither smaller than nor equal to B’
Now in each question, assume the given statements to be true. Find which of the three
conclusions I, II and III given below them is/are definitely true and answer accordingly
1. Statements: H % J, J! N, N @ R
Conclusion:
I. R % J
II.H @ J
III. N @ H
a) Only I is true b) Only II is true c) Only III is true d) only I and III are true
Answer:
Given statements:
H < J, J = N, N > R
I. Relation between R and J:
R < N, N=J  R<N=J  R<J i.e R % J
II. Relation between H and J:
H < J i.e H % J
III. Relation between N and H
N = J, J > H  N = J > H  N > H i.e N @ H
So, Only I and III are true. Hence answer is (d)
Example.1. If + stands for ‘division’, × stands for ‘addition’, – stands for ‘multiplication’
and ÷ stands for subtraction, then which of the following equations is correct?
(a) 36 × 6 + 7 ÷ 2 – 6 = 20
(b) 36 + 6 – 3 × 5 ÷ 3 = 24.
(c) 36 ÷ 6 + 3 × 5 – 3 = 45.
(d) 36 -6 + 3 × 5 ÷ 3 = 74.

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 Problem Solving
Ans. d
Solution
36 – 6 + 3 × 5 ÷ 3
→ 36 × 6 ‚ 3 + 5 – 3.
→ 36 × 2 + 5 – 3 = 74.
→ 72 + 5 – 3 = 74.

Example: If P denotes ‘+’, Q denotes ‘–‘, R denotes ‘×’ and S denotes ‘‚’, then which of the
following statement is correct?
(a) 16 R 12 P 49 S 7 Q 9 = 200
(b) 32 S 8 R 9 = 160 Q 12 R 12
(c) 8 R 8 P 8 S 8 Q 8 = 57
(d) 36 R 4 S 8 Q 7 P 4 = 10
Ans. c
Solution
=8×8+8÷8–8
= 8 × 8 + (8/8) – 8
= 64 +1 – 8 = 57.

Questions on Problem-Solving By Substitution

This topic is also known as symbol substitution. Symbols of different mathematical operations
like addition, division, greater than, lesser than, etc are interchanged or substituted to find the
correct answer. Almost all the competitive exams like IBPS PO, IBPS clerk, SSC asks the
questions related to the mathematical operations. There are four types of topics that come under
mathematical operations. But today our sole focus will only be on substitution based questions.

In this type of questions, you will be provided with various mathematical signs and symbols. The
substitute for these signs itself will be provided in the question. You need to change the signs
with that given in the equation and then find the answer. Or you will also be asked to find the
correct/incorrect equations. You just need to solve the equation based on these signs and
symbols. Now, we will show you some of the examples and approach on how to solve the
questions.

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 Problem Solving
Examples
Q. If ‘+’ means ‘‚ ‘, ‘-‘means ’x’. ‘‚ ‘ means ‘+’ and ‘x’ means ‘-‘, then 36 x 8 + 4 ‚ 6 + 2 – 3 =
?
A. 2
B. 18
C. 43
D. 6 1/2
Now, in this question instead of remembering the signs make a table like this. Fill this table with
the interchanging signs as given in the first half of the question.
Symbols + – ÷ x
Meaning ÷ x + –
From the table replace the signs in the given equation.
The equation will be as follows: 36 – 8 ÷ 4 + 6 ÷ 2 x 3 = 36 – 2 + 3 x 3 = 34 + 9 = 43.
So the correct answer is (C). You must have noticed while solving this question yourself as to
how much there is confusion regarding the interchanging signs. And that is why it is important
that you make a table.

Q. It is given that: ‘>’ denotes ‘+’, ‘<‘denotes ‘-‘, ‘+’ denotes ‘‚ ‘, ‘-‘denotes ‘=’, ‘=’ denotes
less than’ and ‘x’ denotes ‘greater than’, find which of the following is correct statement?
A. 3 + 2 > 4 = 9 + 3 < 1
B. 3 > 2 > 4 = 18 + 3 < 2
C. 3 > 2 < 4 x 8 + 4 < 2
D. 3 + 2 < 4 x 9 + 3 < 1
In this question, there are many signs and symbols. You need to find the correct statement out of
the following given options. First, make the following table as per the symbols given in the
question.
Symbols > < + – = x
Meaning + – ÷ = < >
Now put all the interchanged signs and symbols in the question and check them one by one.

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 Problem Solving
Equation 1. After interchanging the signs equation will be:
3 ÷ 2 + 4 < 9 ÷ 3 – 1 = 11/2 < 3 – 1 = 11/2 < 2 . This is not possible. So, option A is not the
correct answer.
Equation 2. After the signs are interchanged, the equation will become:
3 + 2 + 4 < 18 ÷ 3 – 2 = 9 < 6 – 2 = 9 < 4. This is also not possible. So option B is also not the
correct answer.
Equation 3. The equation 3 will be become: 3 + 2 – 4 > 8 ÷ 4 – 2 = 5 – 4 > 2 – 2 = 1 > 0. This is
possible and it satisfies the conditions. So option C is the correct answer.
Equation: 4 This equation will be like: 3 ÷ 2 – 4 > 9 ÷ 3 – 1 = 3/2 – 4 > 3 – 1 = -5/2 > 2. This
condition is also not possible.
So the correct answer is (C). To solve this type of questions it is important that you remember
the BODMAS rule. It is a basic mathematical rule in which for the given equation, the division
between the two numbers is solved first, after that multiplication, and this will be followed by
addition and subtraction. Every question in this section is solved using this rule.

Practice Questions
Q. If P = 6, J = 4, L = 8, M = 24 then M x L ÷ L + J =?
A. 8
B. 36
C. 16
D. 0
The correct answer is (C).

Q. If L denotes ‘x’, M denotes ‘divide’, P denotes ‘+’ and Q denotes ‘-‘, than 8 P 36 M 6 Q 6 M
2 L 3 =?
A. 13/6
B. -1/6
C. 14 1/2
D. 5
The correct answer is (D).

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 Problem Solving
Q. If ‘-‘means ‘x’; ‘x’ means ‘‚ ‘; ‘‚’ means ‘+’ and ‘+’ means ‘-‘, then 40 x 12 + 3 – 6 ÷ 60 = ?
A. 44/5
B. 79/5
C. 116/3
D. 136/3
The correct answer is (D).

Q. If ‘+’ means ‘‚ ‘; ‘-‘ means ‘x’; ‘‚ ‘ means ‘+’ and ‘x’ means ‘-‘ then 20 ‚ 12 x 4 + 8 – 6 = ?
A. 8 2/3
B. 29
C. 32
D. 26
The correct answer is (B).

Q. If ‘x’ stands for ‘addition’, ‘<‘ for ‘subtraction’, ‘+’ stands for ‘division’, ‘>’ for
multiplication’,’-‘ stands for ‘equal to’, ‘‚’ for ‘greater than’ and ‘=’ stands for ‘less than’, state
which of the following is true?
A. 3 x 2 < 4 – 16 > 2 + 4
B. 5 > 2 + 2 = 10 < 4 x 2
C. 3 x 4 > 2 – 9 + 3 < 3
D. 5 x 3 < 7 – 8 + 4 x 1
The correct answer is (B).

Q. If L denotes ‘‚’, M denotes ‘x’, P denotes ‘+’ and Q denotes ‘-‘, then which of the following
statements is true?
A. 32 P 8 L 16 Q 4 = -3/2
B. 6 M 18 Q 26 L 13 P 7 = 173/13
C. 11 M 34 L 17 Q 8 L 3 = 38/3
D. 9 P 9 L 9 Q 9 M 9 = – 71
The correct answer is (D).

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 Problem Solving
Q. If P denotes ‘+’, Q denotes ‘-‘, R denotes ‘x’ and S denotes ‘‚’, which of the following
statements is correct?
A. 36 4 S 8 Q 7 P 4 = 10
B. 16 R 12 P 49 S 7 Q 9 = 200
C. 32 S 8 R 9 = 160 Q 12 R 12
D. 8 R 8 P 8 S 8 Q 8 = 57
The correct answer is (D).

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