Symbol remapping puzzle: If “−” means “×”, “×” means “+”, “+” means “÷”, and “÷” means “−”, evaluate 40 × 12 + 3 − 6 ÷ 60 under the remapped meanings.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 4

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
In remapping problems, each printed symbol represents a different arithmetic operation. You must translate the expression according to the mapping and then evaluate with standard precedence.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Mapping: “−” → “×”, “×” → “+”, “+” → “÷”, “÷” → “−”.
  • Expression to evaluate: 40 × 12 + 3 − 6 ÷ 60.
  • Precedence: × and ÷ before + and − (after remapping).


Concept / Approach:
Translate each symbol to its true meaning, then compute systematically.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Translate: “×” → “+”, “+” → “÷”, “−” → “×”, “÷” → “−”.Expression becomes: 40 + 12 ÷ 3 × 6 − 60.Precedence: 12 ÷ 3 = 4; 4 × 6 = 24.Now add/subtract: 40 + 24 − 60 = 64 − 60 = 4.


Verification / Alternative check:
Recomputing left-to-right without precedence would not yield 4, highlighting the necessity of observing ×/÷ precedence.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
44 and 16 typically arise from skipping one of the remaps or mis-ordering operations; 7.95 is a non-integer result from treating a division earlier than multiplication incorrectly.


Common Pitfalls:

  • Applying the mapping partially (e.g., forgetting that “+” now means “÷”).
  • Ignoring that “÷” now means subtraction, not division.


Final Answer:
4.

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