UPSC Prelims 2023 CSAT Paper II · Q24 of 77 Logical Reasoning medium

If 7 ⊕ 9 ⊕ 10 = 8, 9 ⊕ 11 ⊕ 30 = 5, 11 ⊕ 17 ⊕ 21 = 13, what is the value of 23 ⊕ 4 ⊕ 15 ?

  1. (a) 6 ✓ UPSC's answer
  2. (b) 8
  3. (c) 13
  4. (d) 15

Why the answer is (a)

• Add the three numbers in each expression: 7+9+10=26, 9+11+30=50, 11+17+21=49.

• Add the digits of that sum: 2+6=8, 5+0=5, 4+9=13.

• Apply the same rule to 23+4+15=42.

• Add the digits: 4+2=6, so option (a) follows.

Why the other options are wrong

(b) 8
8 is incorrect because the digit sum of 42 is 4+2=6, not 8.
(c) 13
13 is incorrect because the digit sum of 42 is 4+2=6, not 13.
(d) 15
15 is incorrect because the digit sum of 42 is 4+2=6, not 15.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2023, held on 28 May 2023. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

Reading the answer is not the same as getting it right under a clock. Practise this question with UPSC's negative marking, and anything you miss goes into an error notebook until you get it right twice.

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