If + means `-:` , -means ` xx , -:` means + and ` xx ` means -, then the value of `36 xx 12 + 4 -: 6 + 2 - 3` when simplified is

Options

A. 2
B. 18
C. 42
D. `6(1)/(2)`

Explanation

To solve the expression `36 xx 12 + 4 -: 6 + 2 - 3` with the given meanings of the operations, we first need to replace the symbols according to the definitions provided:

- `+` means `-:` (which means addition)
- `-` means `xx` (which means multiplication)
- `-:` means `+` (which means division)
- `xx` means `-` (which means subtraction)

Now, let's rewrite the expression step by step:

1. **Replace the symbols**:
- `36 xx 12` becomes `36 - 12` (because `xx` means `-`)
- `+ 4` becomes `-: 4` (because `+` means `-:`)
- `-: 6` becomes `+ 6` (because `-:` means `+`)
- `+ 2` remains `+ 2` (because we are still using `-:`)
- `- 3` becomes `xx 3` (because `-` means `xx`)

So, the expression now looks like:
\[ 36 - 12 -: 4 + 6 + 2 xx 3 \]

2. **Now replace the operations**:
- `-:` means `+`, so `-: 4` becomes `+ 4`
- `xx` means `-`, so `2 xx 3` becomes `2 - 3`

The expression now looks like:
\[ 36 - 12 + 4 + 6 + (2 - 3) \]

3. **Calculate the expression**:
- First, calculate `2 - 3`:
\[ 2 - 3 = -1 \]
- Now substitute that back into the expression:
\[ 36 - 12 + 4 + 6 - 1 \]

4. **Perform the calculations step by step**:
- Calculate `36 - 12`:
\[ 36 - 12 = 24 \]
- Now add `4`:
\[ 24 + 4 = 28 \]
- Now add `6`:
\[ 28 + 6 = 34 \]
- Finally, subtract `1`:
\[ 34 - 1 = 33 \]

Thus, the final value of the expression `36 xx 12 + 4 -: 6 + 2 - 3` when simplified is **33**.