Tips and Tricks: Mathematical Operations | General Intelligence and Reasoning for SSC CGL PDF Download

Mathematical Operations Tricks & Examples

For example, Suppose the triangle (∆) means addition.

Math Trick

We know that triangle is a plane figure but here it has been assigned the value of addition (+).
Thus, 3 ∆ 5 ⇒ 3 + 5 = 8
In this way, two work out such questions substitute the assigned/ implied meanings of the symbol or sign and proceed accordingly.

How to Solve the questions

To solve this type of questions, substitute the real signs in the given expression and then solve the expression according to the BODMAS rule.

Order of Operations – BODMAS

1. 1^st. B – Brackets, do all the maths contained in brackets first
2. 2^nd. O – Orders, square roots, powers and anything else not listed
3. 3^rd. D – Division, do your divisions now
4. 4^th. M – Multiplication
5. 5^th. A – Addition
6. 6^th. S – Subtraction

Example: If + means ÷, × means –, ÷ means × and – means +, then, 8 + 6 × 4 ÷ 3 – 4 = ?
(a) – 12
(b) – 20/3
(c) 12
(d) 20/3
Ans: (c)
Using the given symbols, we have:
Given expression: = 8 ÷ 6 – 4 × 3 + 4 = 4/3 – 4 × 3 + 4
= 4/3 – 12 + 4 = -20/3.