Machine Input-Output Questions

Introduction

Machine input and output questions are the most commonly asked questions in government exams. In these questions, the people taking the exam get a set of arrangements, be it in numbers or words. With each performed operation, the arrangement changes. This is performed till a final desired arrangement is reached. The candidates must find the hidden pattern in the arrangements provided and apply it to the questions on the basis of the given input.

The input provided in the question can either be in words or numbers, but some questions have both numbers and words in them.

Classification of Machine input-output questions 

Machine input-output questions are classified into three types on the basis of the logic used behind the rearrangements:

• On the basis of order

If the input provided is in words, they are usually arranged alphabetically. If the arrangement is numerical, it is arranged in a descending or ascending order.

Words and numbers can be arranged individually or together in a step. The rearrangement of the input can begin from either the left side or the right side. In some cases, the rearrangement can be done from both ends simultaneously. The candidate can begin the task with either the word or the number. Regardless of choice, while rearranging, only one word/number is moved at a time while keeping all the remaining words/numbers in the same position.

For example:

Input – Cake 98 43 Bread 10 Doughnut

Step I – 98 Cake 43 Bread 10 Doughnut

Step II – 98 43 Cake Bread 10 Doughnut

Step III – 98 43 10 Cake Bread Doughnut

Step IV – 98 43 10 Bread Cake Doughnut

Here, the last step of the input would be Step IV, with the arrangement going from left to right. The numbers are arranged in descending order, whereas the words are organized alphabetically.

• On the basis of interchanging positions

Unlike the previous classification, where the input is arranged in an order, two positions are selected in this classification, and only those two numbers/words are interchanged.

For example:

Input – 101 Indigo Baseball 94 Gas 32 Mic

Step I – 32 Indigo Baseball 94 Gas 101 Mic

Step II – 32 Baseball Indigo 94 Gas 101 Mic

Step III – 32 Baseball 94 Indigo Gas 101 Mic

Step IV – 32 Baseball 95 Gas Indigo 101 Mic

Step V – 32 Baseball 95 Gas 101 Indigo Mic

In this question, Step V will be the last step. The words underlined in each step indicate which words/numbers are being interchanged in that specific step.

• On the basis of rules of mathematics

Some mathematical operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc., are applied to arrange the input in this classification.

For example:

Input – 96 74 16 35 29

Step I – 90 74 16 35 20

Step II – 90 70 16 30 20

Step III – 90 70 10 30 20

The final step is Step III. The operation of subtraction is used to rearrange this input. The last digit of each number is turned to zero by subtracting the number by itself.

Machine Input Output Questions for Banking PO 

Ques 1. Directions – When given a set of numbers, a number arranging machine arranges them in a particular order.

Input – 60 86 19 32 45 83

Step I – 19 60 32 45 83 86

Step II – 19 32 45 60 83 86

Find the different steps of rearrangement for the following input and then answer the questions on their basis.

Input – 37 51 99 27 14 76 58 47

1. Which number is the 4th left to 51 in step 3?

2. How many numbers are between the number 99 and the 2nd most number from the right in step 2?

3. Which position is 51 at on the last step?

4. Which number is at the 3rd position from the left on the last step?

Ques 2. Directions – When a number and word arranging machine is given an input containing numbers and words, it arranges them by following a particular rule.

Input – 85 Nose 59 Orange Purple 09 House 17

Step I – 09 85 Nose 59 Orange Purple House 17

Step II – 09 House 85 Nose 59 Orange Purple 19

Step III – 09 House 19 85 Nose 59 Orange Purple

Step IV – 09 House 19 Nose 85 59 Orange Purple

Step V – 09 House 19 Nose 59 85 Orange Purple

Step VI – 09 House 19 Nose 59 Orange 85 Purple

Using the same rule followed in the above arrangement, find the steps for the following input.

Input – 65 46 Circles 11 Mail Pain 82 Delivery

1. Which number is interchanged with the word ‘deliver’ in step 4?

2. What are the first two elements in the 3rd step?

3. Which is the last element in step 5?

   Conclusion

   Machine input and output questions are the most frequently asked questions when it comes to giving government exams. The questions require the candidate to rearrange an input on the basis of an already given input. The candidate has to study the previously given input and understand its pattern to solve the other input. These patterns vary from them being rearranged on the basis of order, interchanging positions, or rules of mathematics. The inputs could either be numerals, words, or both. These can be rearranged from left to right, right to left, or both sides at once. The candidates are supposed to rearrange the input until the desired output is achieved or the input loops. ?