If '+' means 'division', '×' means 'addition', '− ' means 'multiplication', and '÷' means 'subtraction', then find the value of the following expression: 36 − 2 + 4 × 10 ÷ 5

Correct — A.
Rule: rewrite every sign first, then apply BODMAS.

'−' → ×, '+' → ÷, '×' → +, '÷' → −
36 − 2 + 4 × 10 ÷ 5 becomes 36 × 2 ÷ 4 + 10 − 5

36 × 2 = 72
72 ÷ 4 = 18
18 + 10 − 5 = 23 → option (a).

Why the others are wrong

• (b)
  34 — 34 is 36 − 2, the printed minus read as a minus. After substitution that sign means multiplication, so the first step is 36 × 2 = 72.
• (c)
  11 — 11 cannot come out of 36 × 2 ÷ 4 + 10 − 5. The first part gives 18, and adding 10 then taking 5 lifts it to 23, not down to 11.
• (d)
  41 — 41 is not the value of the rewritten line. In BODMAS order it is 72 ÷ 4 = 18, then 18 + 10 − 5 = 23.

The trap in sign substitution is doing the rewrite in your head while you calculate. Write the whole new expression before any arithmetic.

Here the rewrite puts × and ÷ at the front, so working left to right and working by BODMAS both give 23. That is luck. With × or ÷ later in the line, left to right can go wrong, so use BODMAS every time.

Key facts

• Here '+' means ÷, '×' means +, '−' means × and '÷' means −.
• Rewritten: 36 × 2 ÷ 4 + 10 − 5 = 23.
• Substitute first, then work ÷ and × before + and −.

Common traps

• Reading the first sign as printed: 36 − 2 = 34 is one of the options
• Substituting three signs and leaving the fourth as printed

No directly related past PYQ was found.