In the equation '92 ÷ 16 + 14 = Y', what is the value of Y?

Appeared in: DSSSB 14 August 2024

Explanation

The problem requires following the order of operations, often remembered by the acronym BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction) or PEMDAS.
According to this rule, division must be performed before addition.
First, calculate 92 ÷ 16, which equals 5.75.
Then, add 14 to the result: 5.75 + 14 = 19.75.

Option B: This result is a calculation error and does not follow the correct mathematical procedure.
Option C: This result is incorrect. It might arise from a miscalculation, such as subtracting instead of adding, or an arithmetic error.
Option D: This result is incorrect. It might be obtained by incorrectly adding 16 and 14 first (30) and then performing another operation, which violates the order of operations.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Order of Operations in Mathematics (BODMAS/PEMDAS) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Accurate calculation skills are fundamental in nursing for tasks like drug dosage calculation, IV drip rate setting, and interpreting lab results, where errors can have serious patient safety consequences.
For example, a nurse might need to calculate a dose based on a patient's weight (division) and then add it to a specific volume of fluid (addition), requiring a strict order of operations.
What if? - If the equation was 92 ÷ (16 + 14), the operation inside the parentheses would be done first (16 + 14 = 30), leading to a completely different result (92 ÷ 30 ≈ 3.07). This highlights the critical importance of parentheses in medical orders and calculations.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the mathematical operations involved in the equation: division (÷) and addition (+).
Recall the standard order of operations, commonly known as BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction) or PEMDAS.
Apply the rule: Division and Multiplication have higher precedence than Addition and Subtraction. Therefore, perform the division first.
Calculate 92 ÷ 16.
Take the result from the division and add 14 to find the final value of Y.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full DSSSB 14 August 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.