13.

Numbers and Symbols

Interchange
We are all familiar with the symbols used for indicating mathematical operations such as addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division etc. When more than one symbol is used in a mathematical expression,
we are not supposed to carryout the operations at our discretion. There is a rule as to which operation is to be
carried out first. This rule is called BODMAS rule. Each letter of the word BODMAS represents a
mathematical operation and the order of the letters indicate the order in which the operations are to be carried
out. The operations indicated by the letters in BODMAS are given below:
B  Brackets –Removal of bracket (After simplifying the terms there in)
O  Order (exponents) –Conversion of exponents to normal form
D  Division
M  Multiplication
A  Addition –Addition of numbers with like signs
S  Subtraction –Subtraction of numbers with opposite signs

 BODMAS rule should be applied for simplifying the terms in side the bracket also.

Though we are familiar with BODMAS rule, one example is given below, so as to recollect the concept.
Consider the following expression.

The above expression can be simplified by using BODMAS rule in the following order.
Step 1: Remove the brackets.

Step 2: Convert the exponent to normal form.

x = 25 + 2  3 + 10  5  3
Step 3: Carryout division.
x = 25 + 2  3 + 2 – 3
Step 4: Carryout multiplication.
x = 25 + 6 + 2 – 3
Step 5: Carryout addition.
x = 33 – 3
Step 6: Carryout subtraction.
x = 30

 (1) The operations Division and Multiplication can be performed simultaneously. Similarly the
operations Addition and Subtraction can be performed simultaneously.
After removing Brackets and after converting exponents to normal form, just go from left to right doing
“Division” or “Multiplication” as you finds them. Then again go from left to right doing “Addition” or
“Subtraction” as you finds them.
(2) In some books it is given that the letter ‘O’ of BODMAS stands for the operation ‘Of’, which is nothing

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 but multiplication. For example of 12, means = 4.

In this chapter we deal with numbers given in the form of mathematical expressions (or equations). We are
asked to interchange the numbers or symbols or both in the given mathematical expression. Four options are
normally given for each problem, out of which only one holds good. We have to interchange the numbers or
symbols or both as suggested in the problem and simplify the expression to find out which option is correct.

Type I
Example 1
Interchange the symbols + and ; numbers 2 and 4. Find out the alternative which is correct.
1. 2+43=3
2. 4 + 2  6 = 1.5
3. 42+3=4
4. 2+46=8
Analysis
Consider the alternatives one by one. Interchange the symbols and numbers as suggested in the question and
check whether the equation holds good.
1. Consider option number 1.
2+43=3
On effecting interchange of symbols and numbers, the equation becomes;
42+3=3
Check whether this equation is correct.
LHS = 4  2 + 3 =2 + 3 = 5  3.
So, this option does not hold good.

2. Consider option number 2.

4 + 2  6 = 1.5.
On effecting interchange of symbols and numbers, the equation becomes;
2  4 + 6 = 1.5
Check whether this equation is correct.
LHS = 2  4 + 6 = 0.5 + 6 = 6.5 1.5
So, this option also does not hold good.

3. Consider option number 3.

4  2 + 3 = 4.
On effecting interchange of symbols and numbers, the equation becomes;
2+43=2 (Note: Even 4 in the answer part changes into 2.)
Check whether this equation is correct.
LHS = 2 + 4/3  2
So, this option also does not hold good.

4. Consider option number 4.

2 + 4  6 = 8.
On effecting interchange of symbols and numbers, the equation becomes;
42+6=8
Check whether this equation is correct.

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 LHS = 4  2 + 6 = 2 + 6 = 8 = RHS. This is correct.
Answer : (4)
Example 2
Which one of the four interchanges in symbols and numbers would make the given equation correct?
Given equation: 3 + 5  2 = 4
1. + and – ; 2 and 3
2. + and –; 2 and 5
3. + and –; 3 and 5
4. none of these
Analysis
Check every alternative by interchanging the symbols and numbers in the given equation.
1. On interchanging the symbols and numbers as given in alternative (1) the given equation becomes;
25+3=4
LHS = 2  5 + 3 = 5 – 5 = 0 4.
So, this option does not hold good.

2. On interchanging the symbols and numbers as given in alternative (2), the given equation becomes;
32+5=4
LHS = 3  2 + 5 = 8 – 2 = 6 4.
So, this option also does not hold good.

3. On interchanging the symbols and numbers as given in alternative (3) the given equation becomes;
53+2=4
LHS = 5  3 + 2 = 7 – 3 = 4 = RHS.
So, this option holds good.
Answer: (3)
Example 3
Interchanges the symbols  and ; and the numbers 15 and 18. Find the correct alternative.
1. (20  10) + 15 = 25
2. (25  3) + 18 = 93
3. (40  4)  18 = 180
4. (64  10)  15 = 3

Analysis
Check every alternative
1. (20  10) + 15 = 25.
On effecting interchange of symbols and numbers as suggested in the question, the equation becomes;
(20  10) + 18 = 25
LHS = (20  10) + 18 = 10 + 18 = 28 25.
So, this option does not hold good.

2. (25  3) + 18 = 93.
On effecting interchange of symbols and numbers as suggested in the question, the equation becomes;
(25  3) + 15 = 93

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 LHS = (25  3) + 15 = 75 + 15 = 90 93.
So, this option also does not hold good.
3. (40  4)  18 = 180.
On effecting interchange of symbols and numbers as suggested in the question, the equation becomes;
(40  4)  15 = 180
LHS = (40  4)  15 = 10  15 = 150 180
So, this option also does not hold good.

4. (64  10)  15 = 3.
On effecting interchange of symbols and numbers as suggested in the question, the equation becomes;
(64  10)  18 = 3
LHS = (64  10)  18 = 54  18 =3 = RHS
So, this option is correct
Answer: (4)
Example 4
Interchange  and ; 3 and 6. Which of the following four options becomes correct?
1. 6  3  2 = 9
2. 3  6  4 = 14
3. 3  6  4 = 33
4. 3  6  8 = 10
Analysis
Check every alternative
1. 6  3  2 = 9.
On interchanging  and ; 3 and 6, the equation becomes;
362=9
LHS = 3  6  2 = 18  2 = 16 9
So, this option does not hold good.

2. 3  6 – 4 = 14.
On interchanging  and ; 3 and 6, the equation becomes;
6 – 3  4 = 14
LHS = 6 – 3  4 = 6 – 12 = – 6 14.
So, this option also does not hold good.

3. 3  6 – 4 = 33.
On interchanging  and ; 3 and 6, the equation becomes;
6 – 3  4 = 33
LHS = 6 – 3  4 = 6 – 12 = – 6 33
So, this option also does not hold good.

4. 3  6  8 = 10.
On interchanging  and ; 3 and 6, the equation becomes;
6  3  8 = 10
LHS = 6  3  8 = 18 – 8 = 10 =RHS
So, this option is correct.

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 Answer: (4)
Type II
Example 5
Which of the two signs (symbols) you have to interchange to make the equation correct?
10 + 10  10  10  10 = 10
(1) + and – (2) + and  (3) + and  (4)  and 

Analysis
1. Given equation is 10 + 10  10  10  10 = 10
On interchanging the symbols as suggested in option 1, the equation becomes;
10  10  10 + 10  10 = 10
LHS = 10  10  10 + 10  10 = 10  1 + 100 = 109 10
So, this option does not hold good.

2. Givenequation is 10
On interchanging the symbols as suggested in option 2, the equation becomes;
10  10 + 10  10  10 = 10
LHS = 10  10 + 10  10  10 = 1 + 10  100 =  89 10
So, this option also does not hold good.

3. Givenequation is 10
On interchanging the symbols as suggested in option 3, the equation becomes;
10  10  10 10 +10 = 10
LHS = 10  10  10 10 +10 = 10  1  10 + 10 = 10 10 + 10 = 20  10 = 10 = RHS.
This is correct

4. Givenequation is 10
On interchanging the symbols as suggested in option 4, the equation becomes;
10 + 10  10  10  10 = 10
LHS = 10  10  10  10  10 = 10 + 100  1 = 109 10
So, this option also does not hold good.
Answer: (3)

 Once you get a particular alternative as correct, you need not waste time to check the other alternatives.

Type III
The two expressions on either side of the sign (=) will have the same value, if two terms on either side or on
the same side are interchanged. Choose the correct terms to be interchanged from the alternatives given
below the equation.
Example 6
5 + 3  6  4  2 = 4  3  10  2 + 7
1. 5 and 7
2. 6 and 10
3. 4 and 7
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 4. none of these
Analysis
1. Check the alternative (1).
Given equation is 5 + 3  6  4  2 = 4  3  10  2 + 7.
On interchanging 5 and 7 we get;
7 + 3  6  4  2 = 4  3  10  2 + 5
LHS = 7 + 3  6  4  2 RHS = 4  3  10  2 + 5
= 7 + 18  2 = 12  5 + 5
= 25  2 = 17  5
= 23 = 12.
LHS RHS
So, this option does not hold good

2. Check the alternative (2)

Given equation is 5 + 3  6  4  2 = 4  3  10  2 + 7.
On interchanging 6 and 10 we get;
5 + 3  10  4  2 = 4  3  6  2 + 7.
LHS = 5 + 3  10  4  2 RHS = 4  3  6  2 + 7
= 5 + 30  2 = 12  3 + 7
= 35  2 = 19  3
= 33 = 16.
LHS RHS
So, this option also does not hold good

3. Check the alternative (3)

Given equation is 5 + 3  6  4  2 = 4  3  10  2 + 7.
On interchanging 4 and 7 we get;
5 + 3  6  7  2 = 7  3  10  2 + 4
LHS = 5 + 18  3.5 RHS = 21  5 + 4
= 23  3.5 = 25  5
= 19.5 = 20
LHS RHS
So, this option also does not hold good
Answer: (4) None of these

Example 7
15 + 3  4  8  2 = 8  5 + 16  2  1
1. 3 and 1
2. 15 and 5
3. 15 and 16
4. 3 and 5
Analysis
1. Check alternative (1)
Given equation is 15 + 3  4  8  2 = 8  5 + 16  2  1

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 On interchanging 3 and 1, we get;
15 + 1  4  8  2 = 8  5 + 16  2  3
LHS = 15 + 1  4  8  2 RHS = 8  5 + 16  2  3
= 15 + 4  4 = 40 + 8  3
= 19  4 = 48  3
= 15 = 45
LHS RHS
So, this option does not hold good

2. Check alternative (2)

Given equation is 15 + 3  4  8  2 = 8  5 + 16  2  1
On interchanging 15 and 5, we get;
5 + 3  4 – 8  2 = 8  15 + 16  2 – 1
LHS = 5 + 3  4 – 8  2 RHS = 8  15 + 16  2 – 1
= 5 + 12  4 = 120 + 8  1
= 17  4 = 128  1
= 13 = 127
LHS RHS
So, this option also does not hold good

3. Check alternative (3)

Given equation is 15 + 3  4  8  2 = 8  5 + 16  2  1
On interchanging 15 and 16, we get;
16 + 3  4 – 8  2 = 8  5 + 15  2 – 1
LHS = 16 + 3  4 – 8  2 RHS = 8  5 + 15  2 – 1
= 16 + 12  4 = 40 + 7.5  1
= 28  4 = 47.5  1
= 24 = 46.5
LHS RHS
So, this option also does not hold good

4. Check alternative (4)

Given equation is 15 + 3  4  8  2 = 8  5 + 16  2  1
On interchanging 3 and 5, we get;
15 + 5  4  8  2 = 8  3 + 16  2  1
LHS = 15 + 5  4  8  2 RHS = 8  3 + 16  2  1
= 15 + 20  4 = 24 + 8  1
= 35  4 = 32  1
= 31 = 31
LHS = RHS
So, this option holds good.

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 Answer: (4)

Exercise
Choose the correct answer and enter it in the bracket provided. BODMAS rule should be applied to all the
problems.
Directions (Questions 1 to 3): One of the four alternatives becomes correct on interchanging the
symbols and numbers as suggested therein. Find the correct alternative.
1. Symbols + and  ; Numbers 14 and 6.
(1) (98 + 6)  3 = 74 (2) (14  10)  14 = 36
(3) (6  10) + 4 = 1 (4) (60  14) + 14 = 21 [ ]
2. Symbols  and ; numbers 5 and 16.
(1) (16 + 16)  25 = 25 (2) (5  25) + 16 = 141
(3) (16 + 5)  10 = 210 (4) (40  16)  5 = 40 [ ]
3. Symbols  and +; numbers 20 and 15.
(1) (15  5)  6 = 18 (2) (20 – 5) + 20 = 30
(3) (30  15)  11 = 5 (4) (40 + 5)  15 = 220 [ ]
Directions (Questions 4 to 5) :The given equation becomes correct when symbols and numbers are
interchanged as given in one of the options. Find the correct option.
4. 37 – 27  9  7 + 50 = 8
(1) + – (2)   (3)  – (4) + 
[ ]
5. (78 – 28) + 25  14  7 = 100
(1) –  (2)   (3)  – (4) + –
[ ]
Directions (Questions 6 to 7) :Mathematical symbols (signs) are missing between the numbers. The
missing symbols in proper sequence are given in the alternatives. When the symbols given in one of the
alternatives are inserted between the numbers, in the same sequence the equation becomes correct. Find
the correct alternative.
6. (69 23) (76 19 6) = 30
(1)    + (2)  +  – (3)   – + (4)   + +
[ ]
7. (9 6 36 9) 10 = 5
(1) +  + – (2)  +  + (3) – + –  (4)  –  
[ ]
Directions (Questions 8 to 10) :Interchange the digits 2 and 8 as well as the signs + and and select
the correct answer from the given four alternatives.
8. [(892  308)  (85  2)] + 2 = ?
(1) 800 (2) 400 (3) 200 (4) 100 [ ]

110
9. 12 + 8 = 2  x. Find the value of x.
(1) 0.1 (2) 0.5 (3) 4 (4) 1 [ ]

10. =?

(1) (2) (3) (4) [ ]

Directions (Questions 11 to 12) : The sign marked (*) stands for different mathematical signs. The
mathematical signs in the proper sequence are given in the alternatives. When (*) is replaced by the
mathematical signs given in one of the alternatives, in the same sequence, the equation becomes
correct. Find the correct alternative. Rule of BODMAS applies.
11. 24 * 9 * 2 * 6
(1) = +  (2)  = + (3) =  + (4) +  = [ ]

12. 24 * 16 * 5 * 8
(1) +  = (2) + =  (3) =  + (4)  = +
[ ]
Directions (Questions 13 to 14) : Some new symbols are used instead of standard mathematical
symbols as given in the following table. In each problem, only one of the four alternatives is correct. Find
the correct alternative.
+ –   =  > <
    P R S T

13.
(1) 95  50  5  4 T 30
(2) 95  50  5  4 P 30
(3) 95  50  5  4 T 30
(4) 95  50  5  4 S 30 [ ]

14.
(1) 46  4  5  5 P 75
(2) 46  4  5  5 S 75
(3) 46  4  5  5 S 75
(4) 46  4  5  5 T 75 [ ]

Directions (Questions 15 to 16) : Some symbols are given new meaning as furnished below.
 means greater than  means addition
+ means division – means equal to
> means multiplication = means less than
< means minus
In each problem, only one of the four alternatives is correct. Find the correct alternative.

111
15. 16.
(1) 7 + 3 < 2  8  2 < 9 (1) 3  4  2 – 10 > 2 + 6
(2) 7 > 3  2 = 8 + 2  9 (2) 3 > 4 < 2 = 10 + 2  6
(3) 7 < 3 + 2 – 8 < 2 + 9 (3) 3 < 4 > 2  10 < 2  6
(4) 7  3 > 2 – 8 + 2  9 (4) 3 + 4  2 – 10  2 < 6
[ ] [ ]

17. If a mean +, b means –, c means  and d means  then 18 c 14 a 6 b 16 d 4 = ?

(1) 63 (2) 254 (3) 288 (4) 1208 [ ]

18. If – means , + means ,  means –,  means + then which of the following equations is correct?
(1) 52  4 + 5  8 – 2 = 36 (2) 43  7  5 + 4 – 8 = 25
(3) 36  4 – 12 + 5  3 = 420 (4) 36 – 12  6  3 + 4 = 60 [ ]

Directions (Questions 19 to 20) :In a particular mathematical operation, before the normal
mathematical operations are carried out, the digits are first changed as follows:
1, 2, 3 and 4 are changed to 6
5, 6, 7 and 8 are changed to 4
0 and 9 remain as 0 and 9 (no change)
The result obtained by solving the given problem is once again changed as per above given rule to get
the final answer. Rule of BODMAS is applicable.
Apply the above rules to problems and select the correct alternatives.

19. 2 + (91  7) + 82 + 59 = ?
(1) 156 (2) 125 (3) 446 (4) 664 [ ]

20.

(1) 4.906 (2) 9.064 (3) 4.664 (4) 6.496 [ ]

Directions (Questions 21to 22) : One of the four alternatives becomes correct on interchanging the
symbols and numbers as suggested therein. Find the correct alternative.

21. Symbols + and  ; Digits 2 and 8 .

(1) 18  2 = 9 (2) 822 + 9 = 744
(3) 78 + 2 = 9 (4) 2 + 2 = 4 [ ]
22. Symbols + and  ; Numbers 2 and 8 .
(1) (8  8 + 8)8 = 2  1 (2) 126  248 = 1028
(2) 3  2 = (8  8)  4 (4) 1088  972 = 2000 + 4 [ ]

112
Directions (Questions 23 to 28) :The given equation becomes correct when symbols and numbers are
interchanged as given in one of the options. Find the correct option.

23. 27  3  (4 + 7)  18 = 1
(1)  and  (2) + and  (3)  and  (4)  and + [ ]

24. 6 + 45  9  4  2 = 3
(1)  and  (2)  and + (3)  and  (4) + and  [ ]

25. 40 + 3  1  3  26 = 15
(1)  and  (2) + and  (3)  and  (4) + and  [ ]

26. (27 – 8)  24 + 7  3 = 13
(1) + and  (2)  and  (3) and + (4) and –
[ ]

27. 48 + 69 – 23  8  22 = 50
(1) and  (2)  and + (3) x and + (4) – and  [ ]

28. 32  4  6 + 3  12 = 14
(1)  and + (2) + and – (3) – and  (4) + and  [ ]
Directions (Questions 29 to 31) :Mathematical symbols (signs) are missing between the numbers. The
missing symbols in proper sequence are given in the alternatives. When the symbols given in one of the
alternatives are inserted between the numbers, in the same sequence the equation becomes correct. Find
the correct alternative.

29. 69 23 111 37 1 = 10
(1) + –   (2)  +  – (3)  –  – (4)    + [ ]

30. (8 7) 5 (78 6) = 62
(1) –    (2) +  –  (3) +  +  (4)  – –  [ ]

31. (13 9) (14 11) 13 = 3

(1) +  +  (2) –  –  (3)   –  (4)   –  [ ]

Directions (Questions 32 to 35) : The sign marked (*) stands for different mathematical signs. The
mathematical signs in the proper sequence are given in the alternatives. When (*) is replaced by the
mathematical signs given in one of the alternatives, in the same sequence, the equation becomes
correct. Find the correct alternative. Rule of BODMAS applies.

32. 18 * 6 * 2 * 5
(1) +  = (2) – =  (3) + =  (4)  + =
[ ]

113
33. 7 * 8 * 5 * 3
(1) =  + (2) +  = (3) = +  (4) + = 
[ ]

34. 9 * 3 * 4 * 3
(1) +  = (2)  = + (3) + =  (4)  + =
[ ]

35. 18 * 18 * 2 * 9
(1) =  + (2)  – = (3) – =  (4)  = –
[ ]

Directions (Question 36) : Some new symbols are used instead of standard mathematical symbols as
given in the following table. In each problem, only one of the four alternatives is correct. Find the correct
alternative.

+ –   =  > <
    P R S T

36.
(1) 15  15  3  2 P 20
(2) 12  2  10  5 R 5
(3) 18  8  5  10 S 18
(4) 15  5  2  8 P 5 [ ]
Directions (Questions 37 to 38) :Some symbols are given new meaning as furnished below.
 means greater than  means addition
+ means division – means equal to
> means multiplication = means less than
< means minus

In each problem, only one of the four alternatives is correct. Find the correct alternative.

37. 38.
(1) 8 + 6  2 = 8  2 < 7 (1) 9 > 2 < 8 = 10 > 2 < 9
(2) 8 > 6 < 2 – 8 < 2  7 (2) 9 + 2  8 – 10 > 2  9
(3) 8  6 + 2 = 8 > 2 > 7 (3) 9  2 > 8 = 10 + 2  9
(4) 8 < 6  2  8 + 2  7 (4) 9 < 2  8  10  2 > 9
[ ] [ ]

39. If + means x, – mean +, x means  and  means – then 9  5 + 4 – 3  2 = ?

(1) 2 (2) –9 (3) –3 (4) 8 [ ]

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40. If  means +, – means ,  means – and + means , then =?

(1) 0 (2) 8 (3) 12 (4) 16 [ ]

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