Tips
to Solve Coded Inequality in Reasoning
Coded
Inequality problems are the advanced version of Mathematical Inequality
questions. To solve Coded Inequality in the Reasoning Sections of exams, we
must know how to solve Mathematical Inequality where direct inequality
operators are used (>, >, ≤, ≤ and =). These types of questions are
important for competitive exams like IBPS Clerk, SBI Clerk, SSC CGL, Placement
Aptitude, IBPS PO, SBI PO, NICL AO, LIC AAO, SBI Associate Clerk, SBI Associate
PO, CAT and others.
In problems on mathematical equalities,
operator ‘>’ and ‘<’ has the highest priority. This is followed by ‘≥’
and ‘≤’. On the other hand, ‘=’ has the least priority. So if a statement
is A > B ≥ C = D then A > C, D because ‘>’ has highest priority. B ≥ D
because ≥ has priority more than ‘=’.
Now we know how
to get the relation between two elements. So, we can go ahead and solve Coded
Inequality in Reasoning.
In problems
on coded inequalities, operators are coded with some symbols. So we first need
to decode it and then check the conclusions.
Example
of Coded Inequality in Reasoning
Directions: In the following questions, the
symbols δ, @, ©, % and ⋆ are used
with the following meaning as illustrated below.
‘A © B’ means ‘A is not smaller than B’.
‘A % B’ means ‘A is neither smaller than nor equal to B ’.
‘A ⋆ B’ means
‘A is neither greater than nor equal to B’.
‘A δ B’ means ‘A is not greater than B’.
‘A @ B’ means ‘A is neither greater than nor smaller than B’.
Now in each of the following questions
assuming the given statements to be true, find which of the four conclusions I,
II, II and IV given below them is / are definitely true and give your answer
accordingly.
Statements:
P δ T, T @ R, R © O, O % K
Conclusions:
I. R @ P
II. R % P
III. K ⋆ T
IV. O δ T
1) Only either I or II is true
2) Only III and IV are true
3) Only either I or II and III are true
4) Only either I or II and IV are true
5) Only either I or II and III and IV are true
Follow the steps given below to simplify
the process.
Steps
Involved in Solving Coded Inequality in Reasoning
Step 1: Make Decoding
Table.
The easiest method is to first make a
table as shown below.
NOTE: Elements used in question are A and B so we have added A
and B in table.
TIP: Sometimes, to make questions more
complicated, reverse relations may be given as:
‘A * B’ means ‘B is not smaller than A’.
So here we will write B in the first row and A in the last row.
