Explanation:

Let’s unravel the code in this problem:

- Here's what the symbols really mean:

- "+" is actually "-"

- "-" is actually "×"

- "×" is actually "÷"

- "÷" is actually "+"

So the given math:

24 - 20 × 12 + 18 ÷ 5

After swapping in the real operations, it reads:

24 × 20 ÷ 12 - 18 + 5

Now, let's put operations in order of standard precedence (divide and multiply before add and subtract):

- First: 24 × 20 = 480

- Next: 480 ÷ 12 = 40

- Next: 40 - 18 = 22

- Last: 22 + 5 = 27

Let’s check the options:

- 1: 17 — not matching

- 2: 27 — this matches our result

- 3: 480 — that was just in the middle

- 4: 53 — way off

So here’s what this all boils down to:

Option 2 (27) is correct.