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Question 1Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Calculate 7 − 3 × 2 + 4.
- 5 Correct answer.
- 14
- 8
- 12
Explanation
Multiplication is performed before addition and subtraction, so 3 × 2 = 6. Then 7 − 6 + 4 = 5, working left to right.
Question 2Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Calculate (−5) + (−8) − (−3).
- 0
- −16
- −10 Correct answer.
- −6
Explanation
Subtracting a negative is the same as adding a positive, so the expression becomes −5 − 8 + 3. Combining gives −13 + 3 = −10.
Question 3Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Which expression is equal to 3(2a − 4) − 2(a − 5)?
- 8a − 2
- 4a − 2 Correct answer.
- 4a + 2
- 4a − 22
Explanation
Expanding gives 6a − 12 − 2a + 10. Collecting like terms gives 4a − 2.
Question 4Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Factorise x² − 7x + 12.
- (x − 2)(x − 6)
- (x − 1)(x − 12)
- (x + 3)(x + 4)
- (x − 3)(x − 4) Correct answer.
Explanation
Two numbers whose product is 12 and whose sum is −7 are −3 and −4. Hence x² − 7x + 12 = (x − 3)(x − 4).
Question 5Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Simplify (2√3 + √2)(√3 − √2).
- 4 − √6 Correct answer.
- 4 + √6
- 6 − √6
- 8 − √6
Explanation
Expanding gives 2√3·√3 − 2√3·√2 + √2·√3 − √2·√2 = 6 − 2√6 + √6 − 2. This simplifies to 4 − √6.
Question 6Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Write 0.00036 in standard form (scientific notation).
- 36 × 10⁻⁵
- 3.6 × 10⁻⁴ Correct answer.
- 3.6 × 10⁻³
- 3.6 × 10⁴
Explanation
Moving the decimal point 4 places to the right gives 3.6, so the exponent is −4. Hence 0.00036 = 3.6 × 10⁻⁴.
Question 7Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Evaluate 2⁻³ × 2⁵ ÷ 2².
- 2
- 1 Correct answer.
- 4
- 8
Explanation
Using the laws of indices, add the exponents for multiplication and subtract for division: −3 + 5 − 2 = 0. Since 2⁰ = 1, the value is 1.
Question 8Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
If a = −2 and b = 3, what is the value of a² − 2ab?
- 16 Correct answer.
- 4
- −16
- −8
Explanation
Substituting gives (−2)² − 2(−2)(3) = 4 + 12 = 16. The product of two negatives in −2ab is positive.
Question 9Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Solve the equation 5x − 3 = 2x + 12.
- x = 5 Correct answer.
- x = 15
- x = 3
- x = 9
Explanation
Subtract 2x from both sides to get 3x − 3 = 12, then add 3 to get 3x = 15. Dividing by 3 gives x = 5.
Question 10Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Solve the simultaneous equations x + y = 7 and 2x − y = 2.
- x = 5, y = 2
- x = 4, y = 3
- x = 2, y = 5
- x = 3, y = 4 Correct answer.
Explanation
Adding the two equations eliminates y: 3x = 9, so x = 3. Substituting into x + y = 7 gives y = 4.
Question 11Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Expand (x + 3)².
- x² + 9
- x² + 6x + 9 Correct answer.
- x² + 3x + 9
- x² + 6x + 3
Explanation
(x + 3)² means (x + 3)(x + 3), which expands to x² + 3x + 3x + 9 = x² + 6x + 9.
Question 12Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Which of the following is an irrational number?
- 22/7
- 0.25
- √16
- √7 Correct answer.
Explanation
A number is irrational if it cannot be written as a fraction of integers. Since 7 is not a perfect square, √7 is irrational.
Question 13Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Simplify (6x²y) ÷ (2xy²) for x ≠ 0 and y ≠ 0.
- 3x²/y
- 3/y
- 3xy
- 3x/y Correct answer.
Explanation
Divide the coefficients: 6 ÷ 2 = 3. For the variables, x² ÷ x = x and y ÷ y² = 1/y, giving 3x/y.
Question 14Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
The expression 2x + 3 is multiplied by 4 and then 5 is subtracted from the result. Which expression represents this?
- 8x + 12
- 8x + 7 Correct answer.
- 8x − 2
- 8x + 17
Explanation
Multiplying gives 4(2x + 3) = 8x + 12, then subtracting 5 gives 8x + 7.
Question 15Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Solve the inequality 4 − 3x > 13.
- x < 3
- x < −3 Correct answer.
- x > −3
- x > 3
Explanation
Subtract 4 to get −3x > 9, then divide by −3. Dividing by a negative number reverses the inequality, giving x < −3.
Question 16Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
What is the value of √50 − √18 + √8?
- 4√2
- 3√2 Correct answer.
- √40
- 5√2
Explanation
Simplifying each surd gives 5√2 − 3√2 + 2√2. Collecting like terms gives 4√2, so the expression equals 4√2.
Question 17Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Make x the subject of the formula y = (3x − 1)/2.
- x = 2y + 1
- x = (y + 1)/6
- x = (2y + 1)/3 Correct answer.
- x = (2y − 1)/3
Explanation
Multiply both sides by 2 to get 2y = 3x − 1, then add 1 to get 2y + 1 = 3x. Dividing by 3 gives x = (2y + 1)/3.
Question 18Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
If x² = 49 and x < 0, what is the value of x³?
- −49
- 343
- −343 Correct answer.
- 49
Explanation
From x² = 49, x is either 7 or −7; the condition x < 0 selects x = −7. Then x³ = (−7)³ = −343.
Question 19Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
The sum of three consecutive integers is 72. What is the largest of the three integers?
- 24
- 23
- 26
- 25 Correct answer.
Explanation
Let the middle integer be n; then (n − 1) + n + (n + 1) = 3n = 72, so n = 24. The largest is n + 1 = 25.
Question 20Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Which expression is equivalent to (a − b)² − (a + b)²?
- 2a² + 2b²
- −4ab Correct answer.
- 0
- −2ab
Explanation
Expanding gives (a² − 2ab + b²) − (a² + 2ab + b²) = −4ab. The squared terms cancel.
Question 21Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Express 1/√5 with a rational denominator.
- √5
- √5/5 Correct answer.
- 1/5
- 5/√5
Explanation
Multiply numerator and denominator by √5: (1 × √5)/(√5 × √5) = √5/5. The denominator is now rational.
Question 22Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
A number is increased by 20% and the result is then decreased by 20%. Compared with the original number, the final value is:
- 4% greater
- 2% smaller
- 4% smaller Correct answer.
- the same
Explanation
Multiplying by 1.2 and then by 0.8 gives 0.96, which is 96% of the original. So the final value is 4% smaller.
Question 23Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Simplify (x² − 9)/(x + 3) for x ≠ −3.
- x + 3
- x − 3 Correct answer.
- x² − 3
- x − 9
Explanation
The numerator factorises as (x + 3)(x − 3). Cancelling the common factor (x + 3) leaves x − 3.
Question 24Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
If 2^x = 8 and 3^y = 81, what is the value of x + y?
- 11
- 4
- 7 Correct answer.
- 5
Explanation
Since 8 = 2³, x = 3; since 81 = 3⁴, y = 4. Therefore x + y = 7.
Question 25Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
The quadratic equation x² + kx + 9 = 0 has exactly one real solution. Which value of k is possible?
- −6 Correct answer.
- 9
- 0
- 3
Explanation
A quadratic has exactly one real solution when the discriminant b² − 4ac equals zero. Here k² − 36 = 0, so k = 6 or k = −6.
Question 26Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
What is the value of 3 − 2 × (−4)?
- −11
- 5
- −5
- 11 Correct answer.
Explanation
Multiplication is performed before subtraction, so 2 × (−4) = −8. Then 3 − (−8) = 3 + 8 = 11.
Question 27Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
What is the value of (−2)³ + (−3)²?
- 1 Correct answer.
- −1
- 17
- −17
Explanation
A negative number raised to an odd power is negative, so (−2)³ = −8. A negative number raised to an even power is positive, so (−3)² = 9, and −8 + 9 = 1.
Question 28Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Which expression shows 0.00000052 written using a power of 10?
- 52 × 10⁻⁹
- 5.2 × 10⁷
- 5.2 × 10⁻⁶
- 5.2 × 10⁻⁷ Correct answer.
Explanation
Move the decimal point 7 places to the right to get 5.2, so the multiplier is 10⁻⁷. The exponent is negative because the original number is less than 1.
Question 29Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
What is the value of 5 − 2(3 − 7)?
- −3
- 3
- −13
- 13 Correct answer.
Explanation
Evaluate the bracket first: 3 − 7 = −4. Then 5 − 2(−4) = 5 + 8 = 13.
Question 30Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Simplify 3(2a − 5) − 2(a − 4).
- 4a − 23
- 8a − 7
- 4a − 7 Correct answer.
- 4a + 7
Explanation
Expanding gives 6a − 15 − 2a + 8. Collecting like terms gives 4a − 7.
Question 31Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Expand and simplify (2x − 1)(x + 4).
- 2x² − 7x − 4
- 2x² + 9x − 4
- 2x² + 7x + 4
- 2x² + 7x − 4 Correct answer.
Explanation
Each term of the first bracket multiplies each term of the second: 2x² + 8x − x − 4. Collecting gives 2x² + 7x − 4.
Question 32Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Factorise 6x² − 9x completely.
- x(6x − 9)
- 3x(2x − 9)
- 3(2x² − 3x)
- 3x(2x − 3) Correct answer.
Explanation
The highest common factor of 6x² and 9x is 3x. Taking it out gives 3x(2x − 3).
Question 33Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Simplify (3x²y³) × (2x³y) ÷ (6xy²), where x and y are nonzero.
- x⁴y² Correct answer.
- 6x⁴y²
- x⁵y²
- x⁴y³
Explanation
The product of the first two factors is 6x⁵y⁴. Dividing by 6xy² gives x⁴y² because the coefficients cancel and the exponents subtract.
Question 34Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Solve the inequality 7 − 2x ≥ 1.
- x ≥ −3
- x ≥ 3
- x ≤ 3 Correct answer.
- x ≤ −3
Explanation
Subtract 7 from both sides to get −2x ≥ −6. Dividing by −2 reverses the inequality sign, giving x ≤ 3.
Question 35Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
A shop raises a price by 30%, then later reduces the new price by 30%. The final price compared with the original price is
- 30% lower
- 9% higher
- the same
- 9% lower Correct answer.
Explanation
Multiplying by 1.30 and then by 0.70 gives 0.91 of the original. So the final price is 9% lower.
Question 36Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
If 3^(x+1) = 81, what is the value of x?
- 4
- 27
- 2
- 3 Correct answer.
Explanation
Since 81 = 3⁴, the exponents must be equal: x + 1 = 4. Hence x = 3.
Question 37Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
What is the value of (√7 + √3)(√7 − √3)?
- 2√21
- 4 Correct answer.
- 10
- 7
Explanation
This is a difference of squares: (√7)² − (√3)² = 7 − 3 = 4.
Question 38Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
Simplify (x² − 4x)/(x² − 16) for x ≠ 4 and x ≠ −4.
- x/(x + 4) Correct answer.
- (x − 4)/(x + 4)
- x/(x − 4)
- 1
Explanation
Factorise: the numerator is x(x − 4) and the denominator is (x − 4)(x + 4). Cancelling the common factor x − 4 leaves x/(x + 4).
Question 39Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
For the equation x² + kx + 16 = 0 to have exactly one real solution, which value of k is possible?
- 16
- 8 Correct answer.
- 4
- 0
Explanation
Exactly one real solution requires the discriminant k² − 64 to be zero. So k² = 64, giving k = 8 or k = −8.
Question 40Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
If x + y = 5 and xy = 3, what is the value of x² + y²?
- 16
- 22
- 25
- 19 Correct answer.
Explanation
Using (x + y)² = x² + 2xy + y², we get x² + y² = 25 − 2 × 3 = 19.
Question 41Equations and Inequalities
Solve the equation 3x - 7 = 11.
- x = 18
- x = 4
- x = 3
- x = 6 Correct answer.
Explanation
Add 7 to both sides to get 3x = 18, then divide both sides by 3 to obtain x = 6.
Question 42Equations and Inequalities
Solve the inequality 2x + 5 > 13.
- x > 4 Correct answer.
- x > 9
- x > 8
- x < 4
Explanation
Subtract 5 from both sides to get 2x > 8, then divide by the positive number 2, which keeps the inequality direction, giving x > 4.
Question 43Equations and Inequalities
What is the solution of the equation 5(x - 2) = 3x + 4?
- x = 1
- x = 3
- x = 7 Correct answer.
- x = -7
Explanation
Expand the left side to get 5x - 10 = 3x + 4. Subtracting 3x and adding 10 to both sides gives 2x = 14, so x = 7.
Question 44Equations and Inequalities
Solve the inequality -3x ≤ 12.
- x ≤ -4
- x ≥ 4
- x ≥ -4 Correct answer.
- x ≤ 4
Explanation
Dividing both sides by the negative number -3 reverses the inequality sign, giving x ≥ -4.
Question 45Equations and Inequalities
Which value of x satisfies the equation x² - 5x + 6 = 0?
- x = 1
- x = -2
- x = 3 Correct answer.
- x = 6
Explanation
Factor the quadratic as (x - 2)(x - 3) = 0, so x = 2 or x = 3. Only x = 3 appears among the options.
Question 46Equations and Inequalities
Solve the system of equations: x + y = 7 and x - y = 3.
- x = 4, y = 3
- x = 5, y = 2 Correct answer.
- x = 6, y = 1
- x = 2, y = 5
Explanation
Adding the two equations eliminates y and gives 2x = 10, so x = 5. Substituting into x + y = 7 gives y = 2.
Question 47Equations and Inequalities
Solve the equation 4x - 3 = 2x + 9.
- x = 2
- x = 3
- x = 12
- x = 6 Correct answer.
Explanation
Subtract 2x from both sides to get 2x - 3 = 9, then add 3 to get 2x = 12, so x = 6.
Question 48Equations and Inequalities
How many solutions does the equation 2(x + 3) = 2x + 6 have?
- No solution
- Infinitely many solutions Correct answer.
- Exactly one solution
- Exactly two solutions
Explanation
Expanding the left side gives 2x + 6 = 2x + 6, which is true for every value of x, so there are infinitely many solutions.
Question 49Equations and Inequalities
Solve the inequality 3(x - 1) < 2x + 4.
- x > 7
- x < 5
- x < 7 Correct answer.
- x < 1
Explanation
Expanding gives 3x - 3 < 2x + 4. Subtracting 2x and adding 3 to both sides gives x < 7.
Question 50Equations and Inequalities
The equation x² + kx + 9 = 0 has exactly one real solution. What is a possible value of the positive constant k?
- k = 3
- k = 6 Correct answer.
- k = 18
- k = 9
Explanation
A quadratic has exactly one real solution when its discriminant b² - 4ac equals zero. Here k² - 36 = 0, so k = 6 or k = -6; the positive value is 6.