If "A" denotes "multiplied by", "B" denotes "subtracted", "C" denotes "added to" and "D" denotes "divided by", then what is the value of 7 B 17 C 88 D 11 A 6 according to the usual rules of arithmetic?

Introduction:
This question uses letter symbols to represent standard arithmetic operators, similar to earlier operator coding problems. The expression 7 B 17 C 88 D 11 A 6 needs to be decoded and evaluated. Mastering this type of question requires careful mapping from letters to operations and precise application of precedence rules for multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction.

Given Data / Assumptions:
We are told that A means multiplication, B means subtraction, C means addition, and D means division. The coded expression is 7 B 17 C 88 D 11 A 6. We assume that the operations follow normal precedence, with division and multiplication executed before addition and subtraction, and that B is simply used as the minus sign.

Concept / Approach:
The steps are straightforward: first, replace each letter with its associated operator to form a standard arithmetic expression. Second, perform the calculations, starting with division and multiplication, then moving on to addition and subtraction from left to right. Care must be taken not to change the order of the numbers.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Replace A with multiplication, B with subtraction, C with addition, and D with division.Step 2: The coded expression 7 B 17 C 88 D 11 A 6 becomes 7 - 17 + 88 / 11 * 6.Step 3: Apply precedence rules. Start with the division 88 / 11. Since 11 * 8 = 88, we get 88 / 11 = 8.Step 4: Next, perform the multiplication: 8 * 6 = 48.Step 5: Now the expression reduces to 7 - 17 + 48.Step 6: Evaluate the expression from left to right: 7 - 17 = -10.Step 7: Then -10 + 48 = 38.Step 8: Therefore, the value of the original coded expression is 38.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can quickly verify by recomputing the key steps: 88 divided by 11 is 8, 8 times 6 is 48, and then combining with 7 and 17 as 7 minus 17 plus 48 yields -10 plus 48 which is 38. No alternative bracketing is suggested in the statement, so this result is definitive under the given interpretation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The value 27 or 28 might appear if someone incorrectly adds or subtracts the numbers, perhaps by treating 7 and 17 differently or by mishandling the intermediate negative result. The value 26 may result from subtracting 22 instead of 17 or miscomputing the multiplication. The value 58 would require misinterpreting an operation or effectively adding 20 more than justified, which is inconsistent with the defined mappings.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to neglect the fact that 7 - 17 is negative and proceed as if the result were 10, leading to an incorrect final answer. Also, some may reverse the order of operands or misread the mapped operations, especially if they process letters quickly without writing the full expression in symbols first.

Final Answer:
The value of the expression is 38.