If '+' mean '÷', 'x' mean '-', '÷' mean '+' and '-' mean 'x', then 16 ÷ 8 × 6 - 2 + 12 = ?

Question

Accepted Answer

To solve the given problem, we need to interpret the mathematical expression using the provided symbol substitutions:

1. '+' means '÷'
2. 'x' means '-'
3. '÷' means '+'
4. '-' means 'x'

Given expression: 16 ÷ 8 × 6 - 2 + 12

Substituting the symbols according to the instructions:

- '÷' is replaced by '+', so 16 ÷ 8 becomes 16 + 8
- '×' is replaced by '-', so 8 × 6 becomes 8 - 6
- '-' is replaced by 'x', so 6 - 2 becomes 6 x 2
- '+' is replaced by '÷', so 2 + 12 becomes 2 ÷ 12

Now, the expression becomes: 16 + 8 - 6 x 2 ÷ 12

Let's solve this step by step:

1. Calculate 16 + 8 = 24
2. Calculate 6 x 2 = 12
3. Calculate 12 ÷ 12 = 1
4. Substitute back into the expression: 24 - 1

Finally, calculate 24 - 1 = 23

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3: 23.

Explanation for why other options are incorrect:

- Option 1 (22): This result does not match the final calculation of the expression after substituting and solving with the given symbol meanings.
- Option 2 (24): This result is incorrect because it does not account for the final subtraction step in the expression.
- Option 4 (120): This result is far from the calculated value and does not align with the operations performed in the expression.

Thus, Option 3 is the correct answer, as it accurately reflects the result of the expression when interpreted with the given symbol substitutions.