In a certain code language, "-" represents "+", "+" represents "x", "x" represents "÷" and "÷" represents "-". What is the value of the expression 2 - 12 + 10 x 5 ÷ 12 when evaluated using these coded operations?

Introduction / Context:
This is yet another coded arithmetic problem in which each familiar operation symbol is reassigned a new meaning. The expression 2 - 12 + 10 x 5 ÷ 12 cannot be read with ordinary operator meanings. Instead, we must decode each symbol, rewrite the expression in true arithmetic form, and then evaluate it carefully following the correct precedence rules.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- "-" represents "+".
- "+" represents "x" (multiplication).
- "x" represents "÷" (division).
- "÷" represents "-".
- The coded expression is 2 - 12 + 10 x 5 ÷ 12.
- After decoding, we apply the usual arithmetic precedence.

Concept / Approach:
The procedure is to substitute each coded symbol with its real meaning, then simplify step by step. Because the same symbols are used with nonstandard meanings, it is easy to slip back into reading them normally, so attention to the mapping is crucial. Once the expression is decoded, the rest of the work is straightforward arithmetic with division and multiplication first, followed by addition and subtraction.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Start with the coded expression: 2 - 12 + 10 x 5 ÷ 12. Step 2: According to the mapping, "-" becomes "+", "+" becomes multiplication, "x" becomes division, and "÷" becomes subtraction. Step 3: Rewrite the expression in true operations: 2 + 12 * 10 ÷ 5 - 12. Step 4: Evaluate multiplication and division from left to right. First compute 12 * 10 = 120. Step 5: Then compute 120 ÷ 5 = 24. Step 6: Now the expression becomes 2 + 24 - 12. Perform addition and subtraction left to right: 2 + 24 = 26, then 26 - 12 = 14.

Verification / Alternative check:
Rechecking the mapping and substitution confirms that each symbol has been correctly replaced. There is no ambiguity in the arithmetic steps, and the intermediate results 120 and 24 are easy to verify. Therefore, the final answer 14 is reliable. Any alternative reading that ignores the symbol mapping would produce a different and incorrect value.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Option 32 might result from performing 2 + 12 + 10 + 5 + 3 or some other incorrect combination without proper precedence.
- Option 8 could come from mishandling the subtraction or forgetting to multiply before dividing.
- Option 4 suggests an arithmetic mistake in combining 2, 24, and 12.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes decode only part of the expression or forget to apply true operator precedence after decoding. Another frequent mistake is to treat the operators as if they still had their standard meanings. To avoid this, always write out the fully decoded expression before evaluating and double check each substitution step.

Final Answer:
After decoding all operators and evaluating with the correct order, the value of the expression is 14.