(IGP) IAS Pre Paper - 2: GS - General Mental Ability - Arithmetical Reasoning

First we should know some mathematical operations. They are add (+), subtraction (–), multiply (×) and division (÷), greater than (>), less than (<). This test is set up to test candidates skill in mathematical operations. The questions involving these operations are set using artificial symbols. You are required to substitute the real signs and solve the questions accordingly, to get the answer.

Different Type of Questions

There are three types of questions based onmathematical operations which are asked in various competitive examinations. They are,

Problem-Solving by Substitution

In such type of questions you have some substitutes for variousmathematical symbols or numerals followed by a question involving calculation of an expression or choosing the correct/incorrect equation.

Rule BODMAS

Brackets
Of
Division
Multiplication
Addition
Subtraction
While solving amathematical operations proceed according to the BODMAS’ formula.

Example 1: If ‘+’ means ‘minus’ ‘×’ means ‘divided by’ ‘÷’ means ‘plus’ and ‘–’means ‘multiplied by’ then which of the following will be the value of expression 7 × 3.5 ÷ 2 – 4 + 5 ?
(a) 4
(b) 5
(c) 11
(d) None of these
Solution. (b) Using the proper notations in the given expression, we have = 7 × 3.5 ÷ 2 – 4 + 5 = 7 + 3.5 + 2 ÷ 4 – 5 = 2 + 2 × 4 – 5 = 2 + 8 – 5 = 10 – 5 = 5

Example 2: If × means +, + means ÷, – means × and ÷ means –, then 6 × 4 – 5 + 2 ÷ 1 =?
(a) 10
(b) 11
(c) 12
(d) 15
Solution. (d) Using the proper notations in the given expression, we have 6 × 4 – 5 + 2 ÷ 1 = 6 + 4 × 5 ÷ 2 – 1 = 6 + 4 × 2.5 – 1 = 6 + 10 – 1 = 16 – 1 = 15

Example 3: If P denotes ‘multiplied by’ T denotes ‘subtracted from, M denotes ‘added to’ and B denotes ‘divided by’, then 12 P 6 M 15 T 16 B 4
(a) 70
(b) 83
(c) 75
(d) 110
(e) None of these
Solution. (b) 12 P 6 M 15 T 16 B 4 = 12 × 6 + 15 – 16 ÷ 4 = 12 × 6 + 15 – 4 = 72 + 15 – 4 = 87 – 4 = 83

Interchanging of Signs and Numbers

This type of question certain signs or numbers interchanging with each other. The candidate is required to change the given signs or change the given numbers with each other and select which of the equation is correct of the given alternatives.

Example 4: If signs + and –and numbers 4 and 8 interchanges with each other, which one of the following four equations would be correct?
(a) 4 – 8 + 12 = 0
(b) 8 – 4 ÷ 12 = 8
(c) 4 ÷ 8 – 12 = 16
(d) 8 ÷ 4 – 12 = 24
Solution. (a) On interchanging signs + and – and numbers 4 and 8 in equation
(a) 8 + 4 – 12 = 0
Þ12 – 12 = 0
Þ 0 = 0

Example 5: Which one of the four interchanges in signs and numberwouldmake the given equation correct? 6 × 4 + 2 = 16
(a) + and ×, 2 and 4
(b) + and ×, 4 and 6
(c) + and ×, 2 and 6
(d) None of the above
Solution. (b) On interchanging signs + and × and 4 and 6,4 + 6 × 2 = 4 +12 = 16

Example 6: If 5 × 4= 15, 7 × 8 = 49 and 6 × 5 = 24, then 8 × 4= ?
(a) 24
(b) 26
(c) 28
(d) 30
Solution. (a) As, 5 × 4 = 5 × (4 – 1) = 5 × 3 = 15 7 × 8 = 7 × (8 – 1) = 7 × 7 = 49 and 6 × 5 = 6 × (5 – 1) = 6 × 4 = 24 Similarly, 8 × 4 = 8 × (4 –1) = 8 × 3= 24

Example 7: If 64 × 52 = 17, 48 × 56 = 23 and 74 × 35 = 19 then 84 × 37 = ?
(a) 32
(b) 28
(c) 22
(d) 20
Solution. (c) As, 64 × 52 Þ (6 + 4) + (5 + 2) = 17 48 × 56 Þ (4 + 8) + (5 + 6) = 23 and 74 × 35 Þ (7 + 4) + (3 + 5) = 19 Similarly, 84 × 37 Þ (8 + 4) + (3 + 7) = 22

Deriving the Appropriate Conclusions

In this type of questions certain relations 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. The candidate is required to briefly read the given statements and then choose which of the conclusions is/are definitely true. Directions (Examples 8 to 10) In the following questions, the symbols d, @, ©, % and * are used with the following means as illustrated below :

• ‘P © Q’ means ‘P is not smaller than Q’

• ‘P % Q’ means ‘P is neither smaller than nor equal to Q’

• ‘P « Q’ means ‘P is neither greater than nor equal to Q’

• ‘P d Q’ means ‘P is not greater than Q’

• ‘P @ Q’ means ‘P is neither greater than nor smaller than Q’

Now in each of the following questions assuming the given statements to be true, find which of the three conclusions I, II, III and IV given below them is/are definitely true and give your answer accordingly.

Example 8: Statements D d T, T @ R, R © M, M % K Conclusions I. R @ D II. R % D III. K « T IV. M d T
(a) Only either I or II is true
(b) Only III and IV are true
(c) Only either I or II and III are true
(d) Only either I or II and III and IV are true

Example 9: Statements J @ F, F d N, N % H, H © G Conclusions I. G « N II. N ©J III. F « J IV. J d G
(a) Only I and II are true
(b) Only I, II and III are true
(c) Only I, III and IV are true
(d) All I, II, III and IV are true

Example 10: Statements R « K, K % D, D @ V, V d M Conclusions I. R « D II. V « R III. D @ M IV. M % D
(a) None is true
(b) Only III is true
(c) Only IV is true
(d) Only either III or IV is true
Solutions (8–10) Finally © Þ ³
% Þ >
« Þ <
d Þ £
a Þ =

8. (a) Here, D d T Þ D £ T; T @ R Þ T = R; R ©M Þ R ³ M; M % K Þ M > K So, D £ T = R ³ M > K Now, R @ D Þ R = D (False); R % D Þ R > D (False) K « T Þ K < T (True) M d T Þ M £ T (True) ence, only either I or II and III and IV are true.

9. (a) Here, J @ F Þ J = F; F d N = F £ N N %H Þ N > H; H © G = H ³ G So, J = F £ N >H ³ G Now, G «N Þ G < N (True); N © J Þ N ³ J (True) F « J Þ F < J (False): J d G Þ J £ G (False) Hence, only I and II are true.

10. (d)Here, R « K Þ R < K; K % D Þ K > D D @ VÞ D = V; V d M = V £ M So, R <K > D = V £ M Now, R « D Þ R < D (False); V «R Þ S V< R (False) D @M Þ D ?? M (False); M % DÞ M > D (False) But either III or IV is true.

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