SSC CGL (Prelims) General: Arithmetic Reasoning questions with solutions

Q1. If $+$ means $\times$, $\times$ means $-$, $-$ means $\div$, and $\div$ means $+$, then $6 + 4 \times 24 - 8 \div 4 = ?$

1. 30
2. 25
3. 20
4. 35

Answer: 25

Substitute the symbols: $+$→$\times$, $\times$→$-$, $-$→$\div$, and $\div$→$+$. So the expression becomes $6\times4 - 24\div8 + 4 = 24 - 3 + 4 = 25$.

Q2. If ‘+’ means ‘−’, ‘−’ means ‘×’, ‘×’ means ‘÷’, and ‘÷’ means ‘+’, then which equation is correct?

1. 18 + 6 × 3 = 10
2. 18 - 6 ÷ 3 = 36
3. 18 × 6 - 3 = 1
4. 18 ÷ 6 + 3 = 21

Answer: 18 ÷ 6 + 3 = 21

Using the given code, ‘÷’ becomes ‘+’ and ‘+’ becomes ‘−’. So the option 18 ÷ 6 + 3 becomes 18 + 6 − 3, which equals 21. Hence this is the correct equation.

Q3. Which two signs need to be interchanged? 18 + 6 × 3 ÷ 3 - 4 = 20

1. + and ×
2. - and ÷
3. + and -
4. × and ÷

Answer: × and ÷

If × and ÷ are interchanged, the expression becomes 18 + 6 ÷ 3 × 3 - 4 = 20. Using BODMAS, 6 ÷ 3 × 3 = 6, so the value becomes 18 + 6 - 4 = 20.

Q4. If ‘+’ means ‘×’, ‘-’ means ‘+’, ‘×’ means ‘-’, and ‘÷’ means ‘÷’, then which of the following is correct?

1. 6 + 3 - 2 = 20
2. 8 - 2 + 1 = 17
3. 5 × 3 - 1 = 14
4. 9 ÷ 3 + 2 = 5

Answer: 6 + 3 - 2 = 20

Using the given meanings, 6 + 3 - 2 becomes 6 × 3 + 2 = 20. The other options do not evaluate correctly after substitution.