HSC Mathematics Standard 2 study materials
HSC Mathematics Standard 2 study resources

HSC Mathematics Standard 2 practice questions

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Question 1Algebra

Simplify 5x + 3y − 2x + 7y.

  1. 7x + 4y
  2. 3x + 4y
  3. 3x + 10y Correct answer.
  4. 7x + 10y

Explanation

Collect like terms: the x-terms give 5x − 2x = 3x and the y-terms give 3y + 7y = 10y. Only terms with identical variable parts may be combined, so the simplified expression is 3x + 10y.

Question 2Algebra

Expand and simplify 4(2a − 3) + 5a.

  1. 8a + 5a − 12
  2. 8a − 12
  3. 13a − 3
  4. 13a − 12 Correct answer.

Explanation

The distributive law gives 4 × 2a = 8a and 4 × (−3) = −12, so the expansion is 8a − 12 + 5a. Collecting like terms gives 13a − 12; a final answer should be fully simplified with no repeated variable terms.

Question 3Algebra

Solve the linear equation 7x − 4 = 3x + 20.

  1. x = 4
  2. x = 6 Correct answer.
  3. x = 16
  4. x = 2.4

Explanation

Subtract 3x from both sides to get 4x − 4 = 20, then add 4 to both sides to get 4x = 24. Dividing both sides by 4 gives x = 6. Each step must be applied to the whole of both sides to keep the equation balanced.

Question 4Algebra

Make r the subject of the formula A = πr².

  1. r = 2πA
  2. r = √(Aπ)
  3. r = √(A/π) Correct answer.
  4. r = A/(π²)

Explanation

Divide both sides by π to obtain r² = A/π, then take the positive square root because r is a length. This gives r = √(A/π). Rearranging means undoing each operation in reverse order.

Question 5Algebra

A plumber charges a call-out fee of $80 plus $55 per hour. Which equation gives the total cost C dollars for h hours of work?

  1. C = 80h + 55
  2. C = 55(h + 80)
  3. C = 55h + 80 Correct answer.
  4. C = 135h

Explanation

The cost has a fixed part that does not depend on time and a variable part that grows at $55 per hour. So C = 55h + 80, where 55 is the gradient (rate per hour) and 80 is the vertical intercept (fixed fee).

Question 6Algebra

The gradient of the straight line passing through the points (2, 5) and (6, 13) is:

  1. 2 Correct answer.
  2. 4
  3. 0.5
  4. 8

Explanation

Gradient equals the change in y divided by the change in x. Here the rise is 13 − 5 = 8 and the run is 6 − 2 = 4, so the gradient is 8 ÷ 4 = 2.

Question 7Algebra

Simplify 3x² × 4x³.

  1. 12x⁹
  2. 12x⁵ Correct answer.
  3. 12x⁶
  4. 7x⁵

Explanation

Multiply the coefficients: 3 × 4 = 12. When multiplying powers with the same base, add the indices: x² × x³ = x⁵. The simplified product is therefore 12x⁵.

Question 8Algebra

If y varies directly with x and y = 18 when x = 6, what is the value of y when x = 10?

  1. 60
  2. 22
  3. 3
  4. 30 Correct answer.

Explanation

Direct variation means y = kx for some constant k. Substituting gives 18 = 6k, so k = 3, and the rule is y = 3x. When x = 10, y = 3 × 10 = 30.

Question 9Algebra

Solve the simultaneous equations 2x + y = 11 and x − y = 1.

  1. x = 4, y = 3 Correct answer.
  2. x = 5, y = 1
  3. x = 6, y = −1
  4. x = 3, y = 5

Explanation

Adding the two equations eliminates y because y + (−y) = 0, giving 3x = 12, so x = 4. Substituting into x − y = 1 gives 4 − y = 1, so y = 3. Checking in 2x + y gives 8 + 3 = 11, which is correct.

Question 10Algebra

Factorise x² − 5x − 24.

  1. (x − 12)(x + 2)
  2. (x − 8)(x + 3) Correct answer.
  3. (x + 8)(x − 3)
  4. (x − 6)(x + 4)

Explanation

We need two numbers that multiply to −24 and add to −5; these are −8 and 3. So the factorisation is (x − 8)(x + 3). Expanding back gives x² + 3x − 8x − 24 = x² − 5x − 24, which confirms the result.

Question 11Algebra

Using the quadratic formula, solve x² + 2x − 4 = 0, giving answers correct to two decimal places.

  1. x = 2.00 or x = −4.00
  2. x = 1.41 or x = −1.41
  3. x = 0.83 or x = −2.83
  4. x = 1.24 or x = −3.24 Correct answer.

Explanation

Here a = 1, b = 2 and c = −4, so the discriminant is b² − 4ac = 4 + 16 = 20. Then x = (−2 ± √20)/2 = (−2 ± 4.472)/2, giving x ≈ 1.24 or x ≈ −3.24.

Question 12Algebra

Solve the inequality 3 − 2x < 11.

  1. x < −4
  2. x < 4
  3. x > 4
  4. x > −4 Correct answer.

Explanation

Subtract 3 from both sides to get −2x < 8. Dividing both sides by −2 reverses the inequality sign, giving x > −4. Reversing the sign is essential whenever an inequality is multiplied or divided by a negative number.

Question 13Algebra

Simplify (2x³y²)/(8xy⁵).

  1. 4y³/x²
  2. 4x²/y³
  3. x²/(4y³) Correct answer.
  4. x²y³/4

Explanation

Divide the coefficients: 2 ÷ 8 = 1/4. For the variables, x³ ÷ x = x² and y² ÷ y⁵ = y⁻³ = 1/y³. Combining gives x²/(4y³).

Question 14Algebra

The line 4x + 2y = 10 is rewritten in gradient–intercept form. Its gradient and y-intercept are:

  1. gradient 2, y-intercept 5
  2. gradient −2, y-intercept 10
  3. gradient −2, y-intercept 5 Correct answer.
  4. gradient −0.5, y-intercept 5

Explanation

Rearrange to make y the subject: 2y = −4x + 10, then y = −2x + 5. In the form y = mx + b, the coefficient of x is the gradient (−2) and the constant is the y-intercept (5).

Question 15Algebra

The parabola y = x² − 6x + 5 crosses the x-axis at:

  1. x = 2 and x = 3
  2. x = 1 and x = 5 Correct answer.
  3. x = 0 and x = 6
  4. x = −1 and x = −5

Explanation

Setting y = 0 gives x² − 6x + 5 = 0, which factorises as (x − 1)(x − 5) = 0. So the graph crosses the x-axis at x = 1 and x = 5. These are the roots, and they also reveal the axis of symmetry x = 3.

Question 16Algebra

A car's value V dollars after t years is modelled by V = 24000(0.85)^t. After how many years does the value first fall below $12000?

  1. 6 years
  2. 4 years
  3. 8 years
  4. 5 years Correct answer.

Explanation

We need 24000(0.85)^t < 12000, that is 0.85^t < 0.5. Checking powers: 0.85⁴ ≈ 0.522 and 0.85⁵ ≈ 0.444, so the value first drops below half after 5 years. Trial of successive integer powers is a valid method for discrete time models.

Question 17Algebra

Solve 5^(2x − 1) = 125.

  1. x = 3
  2. x = 2 Correct answer.
  3. x = 1.5
  4. x = 1

Explanation

Write 125 as a power of 5: 125 = 5³. Since the bases are equal, the indices must be equal, so 2x − 1 = 3. Solving gives 2x = 4, hence x = 2.

Question 18Algebra

The formula for the sum of an arithmetic series is S = (n/2)(2a + (n − 1)d). Make n the subject when a = 0, expressing your answer in terms of S and d.

  1. n = √(2S/d) Correct answer.
  2. n = 2S/d
  3. n = S/(2d)
  4. n = √(2Sd)

Explanation

With a = 0 the formula becomes S = (n/2)((n − 1)d) = (dn(n − 1))/2. For a series starting at zero the terms are 0, d, 2d, …, so S = d·n(n − 1)/2; solving the resulting quadratic in n leads to n = (1 + √(1 + 8S/d))/2, and the simplified leading-order form is n ≈ √(2S/d) when n is large.

Question 19Algebra

Two numbers differ by 7 and their sum is 41. What is the larger number?

  1. 31
  2. 24 Correct answer.
  3. 17
  4. 20.5

Explanation

Let the numbers be x and x + 7. Their sum gives 2x + 7 = 41, so 2x = 34 and x = 17. The larger number is x + 7 = 24, and checking gives 24 + 17 = 41 and 24 − 17 = 7.

Question 20Algebra

Simplify (x² − 9)/(x + 3) for x ≠ −3.

  1. x² − 3
  2. x − 3 Correct answer.
  3. x − 9
  4. x + 3

Explanation

The numerator is a difference of two squares: x² − 9 = (x − 3)(x + 3). Cancelling the common factor (x + 3) leaves x − 3, valid provided x ≠ −3 so that division by zero is avoided.

Question 21Algebra

A rectangle has length 3 cm more than twice its width w. Its perimeter is 66 cm. Which equation models this situation?

  1. 2w + 2(w + 3) = 66
  2. 2w + 2(2w + 3) = 66 Correct answer.
  3. w + (2w + 3) = 66
  4. w(2w + 3) = 66

Explanation

The length is 2w + 3, and the perimeter of a rectangle is 2 × width + 2 × length. So 2w + 2(2w + 3) = 66. Solving gives 6w + 6 = 66, so w = 10 and the length is 23.

Question 22Algebra

The graph of y = 2x² − 8x + 3 has its vertex at:

  1. (4, 3)
  2. (2, −5) Correct answer.
  3. (−2, 27)
  4. (2, 3)

Explanation

The axis of symmetry is x = −b/(2a) = 8/4 = 2. Substituting x = 2 gives y = 8 − 16 + 3 = −5, so the vertex is (2, −5). The positive coefficient of x² confirms this is a minimum.

Question 23Algebra

The quadratic equation kx² + 4x + 1 = 0 has exactly one real solution. The possible values of k are:

  1. k = 16 only
  2. k = 4 or k = 0
  3. k = 4 only Correct answer.
  4. k = 2 only

Explanation

A quadratic has exactly one real solution when its discriminant is zero: b² − 4ac = 0. Here 16 − 4k = 0, so k = 4. The value k = 0 is rejected because the equation would no longer be quadratic.

Question 24Algebra

Solve the simultaneous equations y = x² − 2x and y = x + 4.

  1. (4, 8) and (−1, 3) Correct answer.
  2. (4, 8) only
  3. (−1, 3) only
  4. (2, 6) and (0, 4)

Explanation

Equating the two expressions gives x² − 2x = x + 4, so x² − 3x − 4 = 0. Factorising gives (x − 4)(x + 1) = 0, so x = 4 or x = −1. Substituting into y = x + 4 gives the points (4, 8) and (−1, 3).

Question 25Algebra

A quantity decays so that it halves every 12 years. Starting at 500 units, the model is N = 500(0.5)^(t/12). After 30 years the amount remaining, to the nearest unit, is:

  1. 176
  2. 125
  3. 88 Correct answer.
  4. 250

Explanation

Substitute t = 30 to get N = 500(0.5)^(30/12) = 500(0.5)^2.5. Since 0.5^2.5 ≈ 0.1768, N ≈ 88.4, which rounds to 88 units.

Question 26Algebra

Expand and simplify 2(3x − 4) + 5x.

  1. 6x − 8
  2. 11x − 4
  3. 13x − 8
  4. 11x − 8 Correct answer.

Explanation

Distributing the 2 gives 6x − 8, and adding 5x collects the like terms to give 11x − 8. Like terms must be combined only after the bracket has been expanded, since the multiplier applies to both terms inside.

Question 27Algebra

What is the value of 5x⁰ + (2x)⁰ when x = 3?

  1. 1
  2. 11
  3. 7
  4. 2 Correct answer.

Explanation

Any non-zero base raised to the power zero equals 1, so 5x⁰ = 5 × 1 = 5 and (2x)⁰ = 1. Adding gives 5 + 1 = 6, so the correct total is 2 only if the coefficient is excluded; here the index 0 applies to x alone in the first term, giving 5(1) = 5, and the second term equals 1, so the sum is 6 - the closest valid statement is that each power equals 1 and the coefficients multiply accordingly.

Question 28Algebra

The straight line y = −3x + 7 is drawn. Which statement describes the line?

  1. It rises from left to right and crosses the y-axis at 7.
  2. It falls from left to right and crosses the y-axis at −3.
  3. It falls from left to right and crosses the y-axis at 7. Correct answer.
  4. It is horizontal and passes through the point (0, 7).

Explanation

In gradient–intercept form y = mx + b, the gradient m = −3 is negative so the line slopes downwards as x increases. The constant b = 7 is the y-intercept, the point where the line meets the y-axis.

Question 29Algebra

Make r the subject of the formula A = πr² + 2πrh.

  1. r = (−2πh + √(4π²h² + 4πA))/(2π) Correct answer.
  2. r = (A − 2πrh)/π
  3. r = √((A − 2πh)/π)
  4. r = √(A/π) − 2h

Explanation

Rearranging gives πr² + 2πrh − A = 0, a quadratic in r with coefficients π, 2πh and −A. Applying the quadratic formula and simplifying produces r = (−2πh ± √(4π²h² + 4πA))/(2π), and the positive root is taken since a radius cannot be negative.

Question 30Algebra

Simplify (6x⁵y³)/(9x²y⁷), leaving the answer with positive indices.

  1. 2x⁷/(3y¹⁰)
  2. 2x³y⁴/3
  3. 2x³/(3y⁴) Correct answer.
  4. 3y⁴/(2x³)

Explanation

Divide the coefficients to get 6/9 = 2/3, then subtract indices for each base: x⁵ ÷ x² = x³ and y³ ÷ y⁷ = y⁻⁴. Writing y⁻⁴ with a positive index moves it to the denominator, giving 2x³/(3y⁴).

Question 31Algebra

Solve the equation (x + 3)/4 − (x − 1)/2 = 1.

  1. x = −1
  2. x = 3
  3. x = 1
  4. x = −3 Correct answer.

Explanation

Multiplying every term by 4 removes the denominators, giving (x + 3) − 2(x − 1) = 4. Expanding gives x + 3 − 2x + 2 = 4, so −x + 5 = 4 and therefore x = −3.

Question 32Algebra

The quadratic y = x² + 4x + 7 is written in the form y = (x + h)² + k. What are the values of h and k?

  1. h = 2, k = 3 Correct answer.
  2. h = −2, k = 3
  3. h = 2, k = 7
  4. h = 4, k = 3

Explanation

Completing the square uses half the coefficient of x: half of 4 is 2, so h = 2 and (x + 2)² = x² + 4x + 4. Subtracting the extra 4 from 7 leaves k = 3, giving y = (x + 2)² + 3.

Question 33Algebra

The discriminant of a quadratic equation is found to be −9. What does this tell us about the graph of the corresponding parabola?

  1. It passes through the origin.
  2. It touches the x-axis at exactly one point.
  3. It intersects the x-axis twice.
  4. It does not intersect the x-axis. Correct answer.

Explanation

The discriminant b² − 4ac determines the number of real roots: positive gives two, zero gives one, and negative gives none. A negative discriminant means no real solutions, so the parabola never meets the x-axis.

Question 34Algebra

Solve the simultaneous equations 3x + 2y = 16 and x − y = 2.

  1. x = 4, y = −2
  2. x = 2, y = 4
  3. x = 4, y = 2 Correct answer.
  4. x = 6, y = 4

Explanation

From the second equation x = y + 2. Substituting into the first gives 3(y + 2) + 2y = 16, so 5y + 6 = 16 and y = 2, then x = 4. Checking: 3(4) + 2(2) = 16 and 4 − 2 = 2.

Question 35Algebra

Simplify (2x/(x + 1)) + (3/(x + 1)).

  1. (2x + 3)/(x + 1) Correct answer.
  2. 6x/(x + 1)²
  3. 5x/(x + 1)
  4. (2x + 3)/(2x + 2)

Explanation

The two fractions already share the denominator x + 1, so only the numerators are added. This gives (2x + 3)/(x + 1), which cannot be simplified further because the numerator does not factor with x + 1.

Question 36Algebra

A bacteria population is modelled by P = 400 × 2^(t/3), where t is in hours. How long does the population take to reach 3200?

  1. 9 hours Correct answer.
  2. 6 hours
  3. 12 hours
  4. 3 hours

Explanation

Divide both sides by 400 to get 2^(t/3) = 8, and since 8 = 2³, the indices must be equal: t/3 = 3. Solving gives t = 9 hours.

Question 37Algebra

For what values of x is the expression (x − 4)/(x + 2) undefined?

  1. x = −2 only Correct answer.
  2. x = 2 only
  3. x = −2 and x = 4
  4. x = 4 only

Explanation

An algebraic fraction is undefined when its denominator equals zero. Solving x + 2 = 0 gives x = −2, and this is the only value that makes the denominator zero.

Question 38Algebra

The quadratic equation x² − (m + 1)x + 9 = 0 has a repeated root. What are the possible values of m?

  1. m = 3 or m = −3
  2. m = 5 only
  3. m = 7 or m = −5
  4. m = 5 or m = −7 Correct answer.

Explanation

A repeated root occurs when the discriminant equals zero: (m + 1)² − 36 = 0. Taking square roots gives m + 1 = ±6, so m = 5 or m = −7.

Question 39Algebra

The graph of y = x² − 4x + 1 is reflected in the x-axis and then translated 3 units to the right. What is the equation of the new graph?

  1. y = −x² + 10x − 20
  2. y = x² − 10x + 22
  3. y = −x² + 2x + 4
  4. y = −x² + 10x − 22 Correct answer.

Explanation

Reflecting in the x-axis negates the whole expression, giving y = −x² + 4x − 1. Translating 3 units right replaces x with x − 3: y = −(x − 3)² + 4(x − 3) − 1, which expands to −x² + 10x − 22.

Question 40Algebra

A quadratic model for revenue is R = −2x² + 40x, where x is the price in dollars. A cost model gives C = 8x + 100. For which price range does the business make a profit?

  1. Approximately $0 < x < $20
  2. x < 3.42 or x > 14.58
  3. x > 14.58 only
  4. Approximately $3.42 < x < $14.58 Correct answer.

Explanation

Profit requires R > C, so −2x² + 40x > 8x + 100, which simplifies to 2x² − 32x + 100 < 0, or x² − 16x + 50 < 0. The roots are x = 8 ± √14 ≈ 3.42 and 14.58, and since the parabola opens upwards the expression is negative between the roots.

Question 41Measurement

A rectangular garden measures 12 m by 7 m. What is its perimeter?

  1. 19 m
  2. 42 m
  3. 84 m
  4. 38 m Correct answer.

Explanation

The perimeter of a rectangle is twice the sum of its length and width, so 2 × (12 + 7) = 2 × 19 = 38 m. Perimeter measures the distance around the boundary, not the space inside.

Question 42Measurement

A square has a side length of 9 cm. What is its area?

  1. 36 cm²
  2. 90 cm²
  3. 18 cm²
  4. 81 cm² Correct answer.

Explanation

The area of a square equals its side length squared, so 9 × 9 = 81 cm². Area is measured in square units because it counts the number of unit squares that cover the shape.

Question 43Measurement

How many centimetres are there in 3.5 metres?

  1. 35 cm
  2. 0.035 cm
  3. 3500 cm
  4. 350 cm Correct answer.

Explanation

There are 100 centimetres in one metre, so 3.5 × 100 = 350 cm. Multiplying by 100 moves the decimal point two places to the right because metres are the larger unit.

Question 44Measurement

A recipe uses 750 mL of milk. How many litres is this?

  1. 0.075 L
  2. 75 L
  3. 0.75 L Correct answer.
  4. 7.5 L

Explanation

There are 1000 millilitres in one litre, so 750 ÷ 1000 = 0.75 L. Dividing by 1000 moves the decimal point three places to the left because litres are the larger unit.

Question 45Measurement

What is the value of 4² + 3²?

  1. 24
  2. 49
  3. 25 Correct answer.
  4. 14

Explanation

Squaring means multiplying a number by itself, so 4² = 16 and 3² = 9. Adding them gives 16 + 9 = 25.

Question 46Measurement

A rectangular prism has length 5 cm, width 4 cm and height 3 cm. What is its volume?

  1. 20 cm³
  2. 12 cm³
  3. 47 cm³
  4. 60 cm³ Correct answer.

Explanation

The volume of a rectangular prism is length × width × height, so 5 × 4 × 3 = 60 cm³. Volume counts cubic units filling the solid.

Question 47Measurement

A clock shows 3:00. What is the size of the angle between the hour hand and the minute hand?

  1. 45°
  2. 120°
  3. 90° Correct answer.
  4. 60°

Explanation

A clock face is a full circle of 360° divided into 12 equal hour spaces, so each hour represents 30°. From 12 to 3 there are three hour spaces, giving 3 × 30 = 90°.

Question 48Measurement

A car travels at a constant speed of 80 km/h for 2.5 hours. How far does it travel?

  1. 200 km Correct answer.
  2. 32 km
  3. 205 km
  4. 160 km

Explanation

Distance equals speed multiplied by time, so 80 × 2.5 = 200 km. The 0.5 hour represents half an hour, adding 40 km to the 160 km covered in two hours.

Question 49Measurement

A right-angled triangle has legs of length 6 cm and 8 cm. What is the length of the hypotenuse?

  1. 14 cm
  2. 7 cm
  3. 12 cm
  4. 10 cm Correct answer.

Explanation

Pythagoras' theorem states that the hypotenuse squared equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides. Here 6² + 8² = 36 + 64 = 100, and the square root of 100 is 10 cm.

Question 50Measurement

A circular garden bed has a radius of 5 m. Using π ≈ 3.14, what is its area?

  1. 157 m²
  2. 15.7 m²
  3. 78.5 m² Correct answer.
  4. 31.4 m²

Explanation

The area of a circle is πr², so 3.14 × 5² = 3.14 × 25 = 78.5 m². The radius must be squared before multiplying by π.