How to approach machine input and output questions for IBPS PO Mains

Machine Input and Output is one of the main topics in bank mains examination. For IBPS PO Mains exam, we can expect 4 to 5 Machine Input and Output questions.

Machine input and output questions:

In a computer when we give input it performs some operations and gives the output. Similarly, in reasoning in Machine input and output questions, Input is given and there will be four to five steps to obtain the output.

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Types of Machine input and output questions:  

Some of the types in Machine input and output questions are

1. Based on Shifting
2. Based on Arrangement
3. Based on Mathematical operations
4. Based on the Miscellaneous approach – consisting of different operations in each step

Cross out your weak areas by attempting the topic tests on Reasoning.

Approach while solving Machine input and output questions:

1. Read the input carefully and check the output
2. Now, try to analyse what type of Machine input and output question it is
3. If you are unable to find the type, try to find the logic involved in step 1 (surely it will be one of the types that are mentioned above)
4. Don’t try to solve immediately after you find the pattern/ logic in the previous step. Because in each step there may be different logic involved, especially in the case of mains examination.
5. Once you understand the logic/pattern in each step, then try applying the same logic/pattern to the input which needs to be solved

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Practice questions:

Try to solve the Machine input and output question below without looking into the solution first.

Input: iodin 58 27 verbs kilty 36 throb 15 creme 92

Step I: dremf 6 iodin 58 27 verbs kilty 36 throb 92

Step II: jodio 9 dremf 6 58 verbs kilty 36 throb 92

Step III: liltz 3 jodio 9 dremf 6 58 verbs throb 92

Step IV: uhroc 3 liltz 3 jodio 9 dremf 6 verbs 92

Step V: werbt 7 uhroc 3 liltz 3 jodio 9 dremf 6

Step V is the last step of the input.

Find the steps of the following input.

Input: pasta 51 waxed 34 letup focal 78 shirk 62 49

1. What is the fifth element to the left of waxed in step III?

(a) metug

(b) 13

(c) 1

(d) gocam

(e) gastb

2. What is the sum of all the numbers in step V?

(a) 30

(b) 31

(c) 15

(d) 27

(e) 37

3. Which of the following letters appear more than twice in the last step?

(a) Q

(b) S

(c) X

(d) M

(e) T

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SOLUTION:

The logic followed in arranging the words is as follows:

The words are picked in dictionary order while the numbers are picked in ascending order. A number is picked first and placed in the extreme left followed by a word which is placed to the immediate left of the number. The first and last letters of the word picked are changed to their successive letters as in the alphabet. If the number is odd, the digits are added and if it is even, the smaller digit is subtracted from the larger digit. So, the steps of the given input are:

Input: pasta 51 waxed 34 letup focal 78 shirk 62 49

Step I: gocam 1 pasta 51 waxed letup 78 shirk 62 49

Step II: gocam 1 metuq 13 pasta 51 waxed 78 shirk 62

Step III: gocam 1 metuq 13 qastb 6 waxed 78 shirk 62

Step IV: gocam 1 metuq 13 qastb 6 thirl 4 waxed 78

Step V: gocam 1 metuq 13 qastb 6 thirl 4 xaxee 1

Step V is the last step of the input.

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Answer key to question 1: (a)

Solution:

‘metuq’ is the fifth element to the left of waxed in step III.

Answer key to question 2: (b)

Solution:

Sum = 7 + 13 + 6 + 4 + 1 = 31

Answer key to question 3: (e)

Solution:

T appears more than twice in the last step.

Cross out your weak areas by attempting the topic tests on Reasoning.

We hope this post helped you to understand the concept of Machine Input and Output. Solving Machine input and output questions in reasoning is quite hard, but by practicing more questions it will be easy to score more marks in less time. For more such practice questions, click here.

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