Mathematical Operations

Key Concepts

#ConceptExplanation
1Interchange of OperatorsThe usual symbols (+, –, ×, ÷) are swapped with new ones; solve exactly as the new definitions say.
2BODMAS Rule (Modified)Brackets → New ‘Order’ → Division → Multiplication → Addition → Subtraction with new operator meanings.
3Dummy OperationsA meaningless symbol (★, ∇, ©) is defined for one question only; never carry its meaning forward.
4Balancing EquationsFind the pair of signs/numbers that make LHS = RHS after the given interchange.
5Inequality Coding<, >, =, ≤, ≥ are disguised as letters/shapes; decode first, then solve.
6Reverse OperationsAfter every step, the result is reversed digit-wise (18 → 81) before feeding into next step.
7Priority SwapInside brackets, priority of + and × is swapped; + is done before ×.

15 Practice MCQs

  1. If ‘+’ means ‘÷’, ‘–’ means ‘×’, ‘×’ means ‘+’, ‘÷’ means ‘–’, then 18 + 6 × 4 – 2 ÷ 5 = ? Answer: 18 ÷ 6 + 4 × 2 – 5 = 3 + 8 – 5 = 6
    Shortcut: Rewrite the whole expression with new symbols first, then apply BODMAS.
    Tag: Interchange of Operators

  2. If 3 ★ 5 = 16 and 7 ★ 2 = 23, then 4 ★ 9 = ? Answer: Pattern is a★b = 2a + b → 2×4 + 9 = 17
    Shortcut: Check linear relation 2a + b fits both samples.
    Tag: Dummy Operations

  3. Select the correct interchange: 8 _ 4 _ 2 = 4 (make equation true). Answer: Replace first ‘_’ with ‘÷’, second with ‘×’ → 8 ÷ 4 × 2 = 4 → A (÷, ×)
    Shortcut: Plug options quickly; only one satisfies.
    Tag: Balancing Equations

  4. If P > Q means P is father of Q, P @ Q means P is sister of Q, then which means A is grandfather of B? Answer: A > C @ B implies A is father of C and C is sister of B ⇒ A is grandfather. Option C
    Tag: Inequality Coding

  5. If 4 ∇ 3 = 25 and 5 ∇ 2 = 29, then 6 ∇ 4 = ? Answer: ∇ = a² + b² → 36 + 16 = 52
    Shortcut: Spot square sum pattern.
    Tag: Dummy Operations

  6. After interchanging ‘×’ and ‘+’ and 4 and 5, the value of 4 × 5 + 6 is Answer: 5 + 4 × 6 = 5 + 24 = 29
    Shortcut: Swap digits & operators first, then compute.
    Tag: Interchange of Operators

  7. If 9 © 7 = 63, 6 © 8 = 48, then 5 © 12 = ? Answer: © means simple product → 5 × 12 = 60
    Tag: Dummy Operations

  8. Which pair of signs fits 7 _ 5 _ 3 = 26? Answer: 7 × 5 – 3 = 32 – 3 = 29 (no); 7 + 5 × 3 = 22 (no); 7 × 5 – 9 (invalid); 7 + 5 × 3 – 2 (extra); correct pair is ×, – → 7 × 5 – 3 = 32 – 3 = 29 (still no); retry: 7 × (5 – 3) = 14; finally 7 + 5 × 3 = 22; none given; hence None of these
    Answer: D (None of these)
    Shortcut: Bracket trial saves time.
    Tag: Balancing Equations

  9. If ‘←’ means ‘+’, ‘→’ means ‘–’, ‘↑’ means ‘×’, ‘↓’ means ‘÷’, then 12 ↑ 3 ↓ 4 ← 5 → 2 = ? Answer: 12 × 3 ÷ 4 + 5 – 2 = 9 + 5 – 2 = 12
    Tag: Interchange of Operators

  10. If 2 ▲ 3 = 11, 3 ▲ 4 = 19, then 5 ▲ 6 = ? Answer: ▲ = a² + a×b – b → 25 + 30 – 6 = 49
    Shortcut: Quadratic fit in 5 s.
    Tag: Dummy Operations

  11. Interchange + & ÷ and 8 & 9. Evaluate: 9 + 8 ÷ 2 Answer: 8 ÷ 9 + 2 = 0.88 + 2 ≈ 2.88 (closest integer option 3)
    Tag: Interchange of Operators

  12. If 6 π 4 = 10 and 7 π 5 = 12, then 9 π 3 = ? Answer: π = a + b – 0 → 9 + 3 = 12
    Tag: Dummy Operations

  13. Which sign makes 15 _ 3 _ 5 = 10 true? Answer: 15 ÷ 3 + 5 = 5 + 5 = 10 → ÷, +
    Tag: Balancing Equations

  14. If 5 ◆ 2 = 17 and 4 ◆ 3 = 13, then 6 ◆ 1 = ? Answer: ◆ = 3a – b → 18 – 1 = 17
    Tag: Dummy Operations

  15. If % means ‘square first number then add second’, then 3 % 4 = ? Answer: 3² + 4 = 9 + 4 = 13
    Tag: Dummy Operations

Speed Tricks

SituationShortcutExample
1Swap & WriteBefore solving, rewrite entire expression with new symbols in one pass to avoid confusion.
2Two-Point FormulaFor dummy ops, plug two given pairs into linear model y = mx + c in 5 s.
3Balancing by 10-sec plugTry each option mentally; stop when LHS = RHS.
4Digit Reversal LastLeave reversal to the final numeric answer to cut intermediate mistakes.
5BODMAS TattooNever start calculation without marking brackets order with pencil dots (1-2-3).

Quick Revision

PointDetail
1Always decode symbols before numbers.
2Brackets enjoy top priority even after interchange.
3Check linear relation first for dummy ops (faster than quadratic).
4If no option satisfies, mark “None of these” boldly.
5Write new operator map on rough sheet: +→÷, –→× etc.
6Reverse digit rule applies only when explicitly stated.
7Inequality coding questions test blood/relational logic, not math.
8Two-operator balancing: try ×,+ first; they give big numbers quickly.
9Keep calculator finger off; RRB is calculation-light, logic-heavy.
10Finish 15 Q in ≤ 10 min → target <40 s per Q using swap-&-write trick.