If '+' means `' xx '`, - means '+', `' xx '` means `' -: '`, and `' -: '` means '-', then 6 - 9 + 8 `xx` 3 `divide` 20 = ?

Options

A. -2
B. 6
C. 10
D. 12

Explanation

To solve the problem step by step, we first need to interpret the symbols according to the given meanings:

1. **Identify the meanings of the symbols**:
- '+' means 'xx' (which means multiplication)
- '-' means '+' (which means addition)
- 'xx' means '-:' (which means division)
- '-:' means '-' (which means subtraction)

2. **Rewrite the expression**:
The original expression is:
\[ 6 - 9 + 8 \, xx \, 3 \, divide \, 20 \]
According to the meanings, we can rewrite it as:
\[ 6 + 9 \, (which is -) \, 8 \times 3 \, (which is xx) \, - 20 \, (which is -:) \]
So, the expression becomes:
\[ 6 + 9 \, (addition) \, 8 \times 3 \, (multiplication) \, - 20 \, (subtraction) \]

3. **Perform the operations**:
According to the order of operations (BODMAS/BIDMAS), we first handle multiplication and division before addition and subtraction.

- First, calculate \(8 \times 3\):
\[ 8 \times 3 = 24 \]
- Now substitute back into the expression:
\[ 6 + 9 + 24 - 20 \]

4. **Perform addition and subtraction from left to right**:
- First, add \(6 + 9\):
\[ 6 + 9 = 15 \]
- Now, add \(15 + 24\):
\[ 15 + 24 = 39 \]
- Finally, subtract \(20\) from \(39\):
\[ 39 - 20 = 19 \]

5. **Final answer**:
The final answer is:
\[ 19 \]