Dear Reader, in this tutorial you will find 3 common types of problems on symbols and notations.
Now let us begin the tutorial.
Type I: Interpretation of Symbols
In type 1, you will find symbols and their corresponding meanings. You have to find the answer based on the question data.
Below example will help you understand better.
Example Question 1: If A @ B means ‘A is the mother of B’, A # B means ‘A is the brother of B’, A * B means ‘A is the sister of B’, A % B means ‘A is the father of B’, then which of the following indicates the relationship R is the grandmother of Q?
a) R @ P * S % Q
b) P @ R % S * Q
c) P $ R @ S * Q
d) R * Q $ S # P
Solution:
You can solve these problems by checking the options one by one.
Let us consider option a) R @ P * S % Q
R @ P – R is the mother of P
P * S – P is the sister of S
S % Q – S is the father of Q
From these 3 statements, we can write that R is the mother of P and S and S is the father of Q.
Therefore, R is the grandmother of Q.
Thus option a) is the answer. (In case, if it did not match you have to check each option in the same way to find the answer.)
Hence, the answer is R @ P * S % Q.
Type II: Replacement Type of Problems
In this type, you will be given replacements for symbols. You have to make similar replacements in given expression to find the answer. Below example will help you.
Example Question 2: If ‘+’ means ‘x’, ’x’ means ‘-‘, ‘-‘ means ‘÷’, ‘÷’ means ‘+’, then find the value of 18 – 3 + 2 x 8 ÷ 2.
Solution:
Given expression: 18 – 3 + 2 x 8 ÷ 2,
After changing the signs (based on question data) , the above expression becomes
18 ÷ 3 x 2 – 8 + 2
By applying BODMAS rule we get,
6 x 2 – 8 + 2
12 – 10
= 2
Type III: Directions and Distances Representation
In this type, symbols will represent distance in a particular direction. Based on the data in question, you have to compute the answer. Below is an example.
Example Question 3:
A * B means B is to the East of A at a distance of two units.
A # B means B is to the South of A at a distance of one unit.
A @ B means B is to the West of A at a distance of two units.
A $ B means B is to the North of A at a distance of two units.
If P $ Q # R @ S, then S is in which direction with respect to P?
Solution:
P $ Q – Q is in North to P with a distance of 2 units.
Q # R – R is in South to Q with a distance of 1 unit.
R @ S – S is in West to R with a distance of 2 units.
The below diagram represents the above statements,
From the diagram, we know that S is in Northwest to P.
If you want clarification for any doubts, please use the comments section below. Also please let us know if you have suggestions or corrections.