Subject: Mathematics | Level: JHS (Basic 7 – 9) | Topic: Algebra | Type: Multiple Choice Questions | Total Questions: 20
All questions are original and created by Education Always. They are not official BECE questions. They are designed to help you practise and build confidence for your examination.
Instructions
Choose the best answer for each question. Work out each calculation before selecting your answer. Check your work against the answer key at the bottom of the page.
Section A: Simplifying Expressions (Questions 1 – 5)
1. Simplify: 5x + 3y – 2x + y
A. 3x + 4y B. 7x + 2y C. 3x + 2y D. 7x + 4y
Answer: A. (5x – 2x) + (3y + y) = 3x + 4y
2. Expand: 4(3x – 5)
A. 12x – 5 B. 12x – 20 C. 7x – 20 D. 12x + 20
Answer: B. 4 × 3x = 12x; 4 × (-5) = -20
3. Simplify: 3(2x + 1) – 2(x – 3)
A. 4x + 9 B. 4x + 3 C. 8x – 3 D. 4x – 3
Answer: A. 6x + 3 – 2x + 6 = 4x + 9
4. Which expression is equivalent to -(3x – 7)?
A. -3x – 7 B. 3x – 7 C. -3x + 7 D. 3x + 7
Answer: C. Multiplying by -1: -3x + 7
5. What is the value of 4a – 2b when a = 3 and b = 5?
A. 2 B. 4 C. 6 D. 10
Answer: A. 4(3) – 2(5) = 12 – 10 = 2
Section B: Solving Linear Equations (Questions 6 – 12)
6. Solve: x + 15 = 32
A. x = 17 B. x = 47 C. x = 13 D. x = 15
Answer: A. x = 32 – 15 = 17
7. Solve: 5x = 45
A. x = 9 B. x = 40 C. x = 50 D. x = 225
Answer: A. x = 45 ÷ 5 = 9
8. Solve: 3x – 7 = 14
A. x = 6 B. x = 7 C. x = 9 D. x = 21
Answer: B. 3x = 21, x = 7
9. Solve: 2(x + 4) = 18
A. x = 5 B. x = 7 C. x = 9 D. x = 11
Answer: A. 2x + 8 = 18; 2x = 10; x = 5
10. Solve: 4x + 3 = 2x + 11
A. x = 2 B. x = 4 C. x = 7 D. x = 14
Answer: B. 4x – 2x = 11 – 3; 2x = 8; x = 4
11. Solve: x/5 = 8
A. x = 3 B. x = 13 C. x = 40 D. x = 1.6
Answer: C. x = 8 × 5 = 40
12. Solve: (2x + 6)/4 = 5
A. x = 7 B. x = 9 C. x = 11 D. x = 13
Answer: A. 2x + 6 = 20; 2x = 14; x = 7
Section C: Word Problems Using Algebra (Questions 13 – 17)
13. Ama thinks of a number, triples it, and subtracts 4. The result is 20. What is the number?
A. 6 B. 7 C. 8 D. 9
Answer: C. Let n = number; 3n – 4 = 20; 3n = 24; n = 8
14. The sum of two consecutive numbers is 47. What are the numbers?
A. 22 and 25 B. 23 and 24 C. 24 and 23 D. 20 and 27
Answer: B. Let n and n+1 = numbers; n + n + 1 = 47; 2n = 46; n = 23; numbers are 23 and 24
15. Kofi is 8 years older than his sister. Their combined age is 36. How old is Kofi?
A. 14 B. 20 C. 22 D. 28
Answer: C. Let sister’s age = x; Kofi = x + 8; x + x + 8 = 36; 2x = 28; x = 14; Kofi = 14 + 8 = 22
16. A rectangle has perimeter 52 cm. If its length is 16 cm, what is its width?
A. 8 cm B. 10 cm C. 12 cm D. 20 cm
Answer: B. Perimeter = 2(l + w); 52 = 2(16 + w); 26 = 16 + w; w = 10 cm
17. Mangoes cost GHS 2 each and bananas cost GHS 1.50 each. Yaa bought some mangoes and 4 bananas and paid GHS 16. How many mangoes did she buy?
A. 4 B. 5 C. 6 D. 7
Answer: B. Let m = number of mangoes; 2m + 4(1.5) = 16; 2m + 6 = 16; 2m = 10; m = 5
Section D: Inequalities (Questions 18 – 20)
18. Solve: x + 4 > 9
A. x > 5 B. x > 13 C. x < 5 D. x = 5
Answer: A. x > 9 – 4; x > 5
19. Solve: 3x – 2 < 13
A. x < 3 B. x < 5 C. x < 11 D. x > 5
Answer: B. 3x < 15; x < 5
20. Which of the following values of x satisfies the inequality 2x + 1 ≥ 9?
A. x = 2 B. x = 3 C. x = 4 D. x = 5
Answer: C or D. 2x ≥ 8; x ≥ 4. So x = 4 and x = 5 both satisfy it. C is the minimum value.
Answer Key
1-A, 2-B, 3-A, 4-C, 5-A, 6-A, 7-A, 8-B, 9-A, 10-B, 11-C, 12-A, 13-C, 14-B, 15-C, 16-B, 17-B, 18-A, 19-B, 20-C/D
Scoring Guide
- 18 – 20 correct: Excellent mastery of Algebra
- 14 – 17 correct: Good work. Review any questions you missed
- 10 – 13 correct: Fair. Re-read the Algebra lesson notes and try again
- Below 10: Focus on the basics of solving equations and try smaller sets of questions first
Related lesson: JHS Mathematics – Algebra: Linear Equations and Inequalities