Algebra Skills Required for Entry to a Level Two Course in Mathematics

This is a list of Level One skills you will be required to demonstrate if you are to gain entry to the
Level Two Achievement Standard Course in Year 12. To demonstrate that you have gained these
skills you will be required to attend school and sit an Algebra test. If you can demonstrate mastery
of 4 out of the 6 Achieved skills and 4 out of 6 of the Merit skills then this will count as satisfying
the Merit in Algebra criterion for entry to the Year 12 course.
Level of
Achievement

Achieved

Skill
6

Simplify expressions involving indices

Simplify 12x3
8x

Simplify expressions involving brackets

Expand and simplify

4x 2 y 3x 2 y

Expand a pair of brackets

Expand and simplify 2 x 3x 4

Factorise a quadratic expression

Factorise x 2 3x 10

Solve a linear equation

Solve 2 x 3 7
5

Solve a factorised quadratic equation

Solve 3x 1x 2 0

Factorise, then solve, a quadratic

equation
Rearrange, then solve, a quadratic
equation
Achieved

Example

Solve simultaneous linear equations

with

Solve, by factorising,
x 2 10x 200 0

Solve: x 2 3x 2 x 24
Solve this pair of equations:
4 x 5 y 400
x y 10

Merit
Rearrange a formula

Rearrange the formula

A 1 a b h
2
to make a the subject of the formula
Simplify a fractional algebraic expression

2
Simplify x 4
x2

Add or subtract algebraic fractions

Simplify 2 x x
3
4

Worked examples, practice questions, and practice assessments with answers are provided in the
following pages.

2
Achieved Skill 1

Simplify expressions involving indices

6

Example 1a:

Simplify 12x3
8x

Method:

Cancel the fraction part.

You can use the fraction key on your calculator to do this.
Or just divide both 12 and 8 by 4, giving the fraction 3 .
2
Now subtract the powers, so 6 3 = 3.

Answer:

3x 3
2

Example 1b:

Simplify 8x 3 5x 9

Method:

Multiply the numbers. So 8 5 = 40

Now add the powers, so 3 + 9 = 12.

Answer:

40x12

Example 1c:

Simplify 5 x 3 y

Method:

Work out 5 2 . This is 25.

Now multiply the powers. So x 3

And x 3 y
Answer:

becomes x 6

becomes x 6 y 2

25x 6 y 2

Achieved Skill 1

Practice questions

Simplify these:
1

5x 20 20x 5

12x 3 12x 6

4a b

5d

5 x 10
10x 5

10

25x 5
5x

8 p3 4 p9

11

6d 5 3d 2

a 2a 5 3a 2

12

3a 2
6a

8x 8
16x

13

5m n

9 x 21
15x 7

14

8d e

5 3 2

4 3

Go to List of Required Skills (page 1)

10 2

4 5 2

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3
Achieved Skill 2

Simplify expressions involving brackets

Example 2a:

Expand and simplify 4x 2 y 3x 2 y

Method:

Multiply each term inside the bracket by the number that is outside.
Remember = +. Then gather like terms
4x 2 y 3x 2 y
= 4 x 8 y 3x 6 y

Answer:

= x 14 y

Example 2b:

Expand and simplify 4x 7 3x 4

Method:

If there is just a sign in front, make it into 1

4x 7 13x 4
= 4 x 28 3x 4

Answer:

= x 24

Achieved Skill 2

Practice questions

Simplify these:
1

5(x 3) + 2(x 4)

4(x + 1) (x 6)

3(2x 1) 2(x 3)

2(3 2x) 4(x 3)

6x 3 + 4(x 7)

10

x(x 3) + x(x 4)

3 + 8(x 3)

11

7(x 2y) 2(5x 4y)

x(x 3) + 4x + 5

12

3(4y x) (2x + 9y)

3(x 1) + 5(2x 4)

13

14 3(2x 7) 5x

(x + 4) 3(x 2)

14

7(4 5x) (3 + 2x)

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4
Achieved Skill 3

Expand a pair of brackets

Example 3a:

Expand and simplify 2 x 3x 4

Method:

Multiply each term inside the second bracket first by the 2x and then by the 3.
Remember + = . Then gather like terms.

2 x 3x 4
= 2 x 2 8x 3x 12
Answer:

= 2 x 2 5x 12

Example 3b:

Expand and simplify x 53x 4

Method:

Multiply each term inside the second bracket first by the x and then by the 5.
Remember = +.

x 53x 4
= 3x 2 4 x 15x 20
Answer:

= 3x 2 19x 20

Achieved Skill 3

Practice questions

Expand the bracket and then simplify:

1

(x 3)(x 4)

(4x + 1)(x 6)

(2x 1)(x 3)

(3x 2)(x 3)

(6x 3)(x + 7)

10

(2x 5)(3x 4)

(x 5)(2x 3)

11

(3x 2)(5x + 4)

(x 3)(4x + 5)

12

(4y 3)(2y + 7)

(x + 1)(2x 7)

13

(2x 1)(5 2x)

(3x + 4)(2x 1)

14

(4 5x)(3 + 2x)

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5
Achieved Skill 4

Factorise a quadratic expression

Example 4a:

Factorise x 2 3x 10

Method:

Draw a pair of skeleton brackets, then put x at the start of each bracket.
Write down pairs of numbers that multiply to give 10.
Choose the pair of numbers that also add together to give 3.
Put these numbers into the brackets.
Check that you get x 2 3x 10 if you expand the brackets.
x 2 3x 10
x
= x

+10
10
+5
5

1
+1
2
+2

Answer:

= x 5x 2

Example 4b:

Factorise x 2 8x 15

Method:

Draw a pair of skeleton brackets, and put x at the start of each bracket.
Find the pair of numbers that multiply to give +15
and add together to give 8. Put these numbers into the brackets.
Check that you get x 2 8x 15 if you expand the brackets.
x 2 8x 15
x
= x

+15
15
+5
5

+1
1
+3
3

Answer:

= x 5x 3

Example 4c:

Factorise x 2 25 (This type is called the difference of two squares)

Method:

Draw a pair of skeleton brackets, and put x at the start of each bracket.
Our pair of numbers must multiply to give 25 and add together to give zero
(there is no x term).
The numbers are +5 and 5
Check that you get x 2 25 if you expand the brackets.
x 2 25

Answer:

x 5x 5

Achieved Skill 4

Practice questions

Factorise:
1

x 2 3x 18

x 2 5x 24

11

x2 4

x 2 x 20

x 2 10x 24

12

x 2 4 x 21

x 2 13x 30

x2 4x 5

13

x 2 11x 30

x 2 8x 12

x 2 16

14

x 2 81

x 2 3x 10

10

x 2 5x 14

15

x 2 x 12

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6
Achieved Skill 5

Solve a linear equation

Example 5a: 5 2 x 3 7 5
5
Method:

2 x 3 35
3

32

16

Example 5b:
Method:

2x

7 x 8 5x 22

5x

5x

2x 8

22

+8

+8

2x

14

Achieved Skill 5

Practice questions

Solve these equations:

1

12x 32 7 x 6

13 x 17 2 x

53 2 x 35

4x 5 17 x

5 x 14 1
3

10

7x 1
5
2

5 x 14 4
6

11

3 2 x 13
4

22 6 x 64 x

12

2.4 x 5.4 4.2 x 18

7 x 3x 6 2

13

3 2 x 3 15
4

5x 9 4
8

14

2 x 1 11
9

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7
Achieved Skill 6

Solve a factorised quadratic equation

Example 6a:

Solve: 3x 1x 2 0

Method:

Let each bracket equal zero. This gives two equations, so there are two solutions.
3x 1 0

or

x20

Answer:

x 1 or x 2
3

Example 6b:

Solve: 3x3x 4 0

Method:

Let each part equal zero. Again there are two solutions.
3x 0 or 3x 4 0

Answer:

x 0 or x 4
3

Achieved Skill 6

Practice questions

Solve these equations:

1

(x + 5)(x 4) = 0

4x(x 6) = 0

(2x 1)(x + 3) = 0

(3x 2)(x + 3) = 0

(6x 1)(x + 7) = 0

10

2x(3x 4) = 0

(x 5)(2x 3) = 0

11

(5x 1)( x + 4) = 0

(x 3)(4x + 5) = 0

12

(4x + 1)(x 7) = 0

(x + 1)(2x + 7) = 0

13

5x(2x 1) = 0

3x(2x 1) = 0

14

5x(3 + 2x) = 0

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8
Merit Skill 1

Factorise and solve a quadratic equation

Example 1a:

Solve: x 2 10x 200 0

Method:

x 20x 10 0

Answer:

x 20

Example 1b:

Solve: 2 x 2 50 0

Method:

2 x 2 25 0
2x 5x 5 0
x 5 or x 5

Answer:

Merit Skill 1

or

x 10

Practice questions

Solve these equations:

1

x 2 15x 50 0

13

4 x 2 36 0

x 2 2 x 80 0

14

x 2 13x 40 0

3x 2 48 0

15

x 2 40x 300 0

x 2 10x 200 0

16

x 2 40x 400 0

x 2 4 x 60 0

17

x 2 x 42 0

x 2 35x 300 0

18

x 2 16x 64 0

x 2 25x 100 0

19

x 2 20x 100 0

x 2 8x 20 0

20

x 2 5x 150 0

x 2 16x 80 0

21

6 x 2 24 0

10

x 2 25x 150 0

22

x 2 15x 36 0

11

x 2 7 x 12 0

23

x 2 14x 40 0

12

2 x 2 98 0

24

x 2 10x 1200 0

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9
Merit Skill 2

Rearrange, then solve a quadratic equation

Example 2a:

Solve: x 2 3x 2 x 24

Method:

x 2 5x 24 0

x 8x 3 0
Answer:

x8

or

Example 2b:

Solve: x 2 24 10x

Method:

x 2 10x 24 0

x 3

x 12x 2 0
Answer:

x 12 or x 2

Example 2c:

Solve: x 2 3x 6

Method:

x 2 3x 18
x 2 3x 18 0

x 6x 3 0
Answer:

x 6 or x 3

Merit Skill 2

Practice questions

Solve these equations:

1

x 2 13x 30

x 2 30 x

x 2 9 x 20

10

x 2 103x 20

x 2 9x 4

11

x 6x 2 21

x 2 3x 40

12

x 2 3x 26 14x

x 2 8x 9 x 56

13

x 2 60 16x

x 32

14

x 2 53x 10

x 2 10x 21

15

x 3x 2 6

x 2 10 7 x

16

x 2 25x 6

25

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10
Merit Skill 3

Solve simultaneous linear equations

Example 3a:

Solve:

Method:

Substitute y + 10 in place of x in the first equation

4(y + 10) + 5 y = 400

4 x 5 y 400
x y 10

4 y + 40 + 5 y = 400
9y = 360

y = 40
Now substitute this into the second equation to find out what x is.
Answer:

y 40

Example 3b:

Solve:

Method:

Rearrange the second equation so that it matches the first one.

40x 10 y 280
4 x 3 y 12

The equations have

to be arranged this
way if you are using
a graphics calculator.

and

x 40 10 50

40x 10 y 280
3 y 4 x 12

Divide the first equation by 10 (or multiply the second equation by 10)
4 x y 28
4 x 3 y 12
Add the equations to eliminate the x variable
2 y 40

y 20
Substitute y 20 into one of the original equations, and solve for x.

40x 10 20 280
x 12
Answer:

x 12 and y 20

Merit Skill 3

Practice questions

Solve these pairs of simultaneous equations:

1

5 y 2 x 75
y x 13

7 x 10 y 159
y x 30

2x 8 y 4
x 2 y 10

7 x y 11
5 x 2 y 59

2x 8 y 6
5y x 1

3x 4 y 122
x y 1

2y x 2
3y x 6

4x y 3
x 18 y

3x 2 y 119
y x 23

10

2 x 6 y 30
3x 8 y 90

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11
Merit Skill 4

Rearrange a formula

Example 4a:

Make a the subject of the formula A 1 a b h

2

Method:

1
a bh A
2
a bh 2 A
ab

2A
h

2A
b
h

Answer:

Example 4b:

Make a the subject of the formula v u at

Method:

u at v
at v u

vu
t

Answer:

Merit Skill 4

Practice questions

The formula for the perimeter of a rectangle is P 2l 2b .

Rearrange the formula to make b the subject.

Make n the subject of the formula S 180n 2 .

Make h the subject of the formula A 1 bh .

2

The formula for the distance around a running track is D 2l w .

Rearrange the formula to make w the subject.

The formula for the area of a square with an equilateral triangle on one of its sides is
A 1.433x 2 . Rearrange the formula to make x the subject.

The formula for the volume of a cylinder is V r 2 h .

Rearrange the formula to make (i) h (ii) r the subject.

2
Make d the subject of the formula A d .
4

Make v the subject of the formula E 1 mv2 .

2

Make d the subject of the formula T a n 1d .

10

The equation of a straight line is 2 x 3 y 12 .

Rearrange the equation to make y the subject.

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12
Merit Skill 5

Simplify a fractional algebraic expression

Example 5a:

2
Simplify: x 4
x2

Method:

=
=

x 2x 2
x2

x 2x 2
x2

Answer:

= x2

Example 5b:

2
Simplify: 2 x 6 x
3x 9

Method:

2 xx 3
3x 3

2 xx 3
3x 3

Answer:

Factorise top, or
bottom, or both.
Then cancel.

= 2x
3

Merit Skill 5

Practice questions

Simplify:
1

4 x 12
x3

6 x 2 12xy
3x 6 y

x 3 2x 2
x2

x 1
x2 1

x2 9
x3

10

x 2 x 12
x4

x2 x 2
x2

11

x 2 3x 2
x2

x 2 5x 4
x4

12

2 x 2 8x
x4

3 p 2 q 3 15 p 2 q 2
3 pq 2

13

x 2 4x 4
x2

3x 2 3x
x 1

14

2x 6
x 2 3x

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13
Merit Skill 6

Add or subtract algebraic fractions

Example 6a:

Simplify: 2 x x
3
4

Method:

= 4 2x 3 x
12
= 8 x 3x
12

Answer:

= 11x
12

Example 6b:

Simplify: x 5 x
3 24

Method:

= 8x 5x
24 24

Use the method for

adding fractions

= 3x
24
Answer:

Merit Skill 6

= x
8

Practice questions

Simplify:
1

2 x 3x
5 10

x 5x
2 12

m 3m
4
5

2p

x x
5 6

10

3z 3z
4 16

2x x
3
4

11

2x 4x
9
3

2a a
9

12

x x
5 15

6x 7 x
7
6

13

7 d 2d
10
5

k 5k
8 12

14

3x 9 x
5
25

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7p
5

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14
Practice Assessment One

Simplify 3a 4 b

Simplify 4x 2 y 22 x y

Solve: x 2 6 x 3x 10

Solve these simultaneous equations:

5a 2b 30
a 1 b

Expand and simplify 2 y 3 y 4

Factorise x 2 3x 28

Solve: 3x 2 5
4

Solve: 4 x3x 1 0

Solve: x 7 x 30 0
2

Go to List of Required Skills (page 1)

10

Make h the subject of the formula

V 1 r 2 h
3

11

3
3
Simplify 2a b2 2ab
a b2

12

Simplify 5 x x
2
5

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15
Practice Assessment Two
1

3
Simplify 8a
2a

Simplify 8 p 2q 23 p q

Solve: x 2x 4 15

Solve these simultaneous equations:

2x 3y 8
y 23 3x

Expand and simplify x 23x 4

Factorise x 2 6 x 8

Solve: 3x 1
8
4

10

Make r the subject of the formula

A 4r 2

11

2
Simplify x 16
2x 8

12

Simplify 2m m
3
4

Solve: x 73x 2 0

Solve: x 2 9 x 18 0

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16
Practice Assessment Three
1

Simplify 3a 2 4a 5

Simplify 53a 6 4a 9

Solve: x 2 4x 3

Solve these simultaneous equations:

3x 4 y 43
x 2y 9
3

Expand and simplify 3d 2d 5

Factorise x 2 x 12

10

Make t the subject of the formula

C k 2nt

Solve: 7 x 3 4 5x

Solve: x 32 x 1 0

Solve: 2 x 2 50 0

Go to List of Required Skills (page 1)

11

2
Simplify x 5 x 4
x 1

12

Simplify 9 x x
4
2

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17
Answers

Achieved Skill 1

Simplify expressions involving indices

100x 25

144x 9

16a10b 6

25d 20

x5
2

10

5x 4

11

18d 7

12

a
2

32p

12

6a

x7
2

13

3 x 14
5

125m 6 n12

14

64d 8 e10

Answers

Achieved Skill 2

Simplify expressions involving brackets

5(x 3) + 2(x 4)
= 5x 15 + 2x 8
= 7x 23

4(x + 1) (x 6)
= 4x + 4 x + 6
= 3x + 10

3(2x 1) 2(x 3)
= 6x 3 2x + 6
= 4x + 3

2(3 2x) 4(x 3)

= 6 + 4x 4x + 12
=6

6x 3 + 4(x 7)
= 6x 3 + 4x 28
= 10x 31

10

x(x 3) + x(x 4)
= x2 3x + x2 4x
= 2x2 7x

3 + 8(x 3)
= 3 + 8x 24
= 8x 27

11

7(x 2y) 2(5x 4y)

= 7x 14y 10x + 8y
= 3x 6y

x(x 3) + 4x + 5
= x2 3x + 4x + 5
= x2 + x + 5

12

3(4y x) (2x + 9y)

= 12y 3x 2x 9y
= 3y 5x

3(x 1) + 5(2x 4)
= 3x + 3 + 10x 20
= 7x 17

13

14 3(2x 7) 5x
= 14 6x + 21 5x
= 11x + 35

(x + 4) 3(x 2)
= x 4 3x + 6
= 4x + 2

14

7(4 5x) (3 + 2x)

= 28 + 35x 3 2x
= 33x 31

Go to List of Required Skills (page 1)

18
Answers

Achieved Skill 3

Expand a pair of brackets

(x 3)(x 4)
= x2 3x 4x + 12
= x2 7x + 12

(4x + 1)(x 6)
= 4x2 24x + x 6
= 4x2 23x 6

(2x 1)(x 3)
= 2x2 6x x + 3
= x2 7x + 3

(3x 2)(x 3)
= 3x2 9x 2x + 6
= 3x2 11x + 6

(6x 3)(x + 7)
= 6x2 + 42x 3x 21
= 6x2 + 39x 21

10

(2x 5)(3x 4)
= 6x2 8x 15x + 20
= 6x2 23x + 20

(x 5)(2x 3)
= 2x2 3x 10x + 15
= 2x2 13x + 15

11

(3x 2)(5x + 4)
= 15x2 + 12x 10x 8
= 15x2 + 2x 8

(x 3)(4x + 5)
= 4x2 + 5x 12x 15
= 4x2 7x 15

12

(4y 3)(2y + 7)
= 8y2 + 28y 6y 21
= 8y2 + 22y 21

(x + 1)(2x 7)
= 2x2 7x + 2x 7
= 2x2 5x 7

13

(2x 1)(5 2x)

= 10x 4x2 5 + 2x
= 4x2 + 12x 5

(3x + 4)(2x 1)
= 6x2 3x + 8x 4
= 6x2 + 5x 4

14

(4 5x)(3 + 2x)
= 12 + 8x 15x 10x2
= 10x2 7x + 12

Answers

Achieved Skill 4

Factorise a quadratic expression

x 2 3x 18
= (x 6)(x + 3)

x 2 16
= (x + 4)(x 4)

x 2 x 20
= (x + 5)(x 4)

10

x 2 5x 14
= (x 7)(x + 2)

x 2 13x 30
= (x 10)(x 3)

11

x2 4
= (x + 2)(x 2)

x 2 8x 12
= (x 6)(x 2)

12

x 2 4 x 21
= (x + 7)(x 3)

x 2 3x 10
= (x + 5)(x 2)

13

x 2 11x 30
= (x + 6)(x + 5)

x 2 5x 24
= (x + 8)(x 3)

14

x 2 81
= (x + 9)(x 9)

x 2 10x 24
= (x 6)(x 4)

15

x 2 x 12
= (x 4)(x + 3)

x2 4x 5
= (x 5)(x + 1)

Go to List of Required Skills (page 1)

19
Answers

Achieved Skill 5
6

7 x 3x 6 2
7 x 3x 18 2
4 x 16
x 4

5x 9 4
8
5 x 5
8
x 58
5
x 8

13 x 17 2 x
3x 4
x4
3

5 x 14 4
6
5 x 14 24
5 x 10
x2

4x 5 17
4 x 20 17
3x
x

22 6 x 64 x
7 x 42
x6

10

12x 32 7 x 6
5 x 38
x 38
5

53 2 x 35
15 10x 35
10x 20
x 2

Solve a linear equation

5 x 14 1
3
5 x 15
3
x 15 3
5
x9

Answers

Achieved Skill 6

x
x
3
1

3 2 x 13
4
3 2 x 52
2 x 49
x 49
2

11

12

2.4 x 5.4 4.2 x 18

1.8 x 12.6
x 12.6
1.8
x 7

13

3 2 x 3 15
4
6 x 9 60
6 x 69
x 11 12

14

2 x 1 11
9
2 x 12
9
x 12 9
2
x 54

7x 1
5
2
1

5
x
27
x 5
14

Solve a factorised quadratic equation

x 5 or x 4

x 0 or x 6

x 1 or x 3
2

x 2 or x 3
3

x 1 or x 7
6

10

x 0 or x 4
3

x 5 or x 3
2

11

x 1 or x 4
5

x 3 or x 5
4

12

x 1 or x 7
4

x 1 or x 7
2

13

x 0 or x 1
2

x 0 or x 1
2

14

x 0 or x 3
2

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20
Answers

Merit Skill 1

x 2 15x 50 0
x 10x 5 0
x 10 or x 5

x 2 2 x 80 0
x 10x 8 0
x 10 or x 8

Factorise and solve a quadratic equation

3x 2 48 0
3 x 2 16 0
3x 4x 4 0
x 4 or x 4

13

4 x 2 36 0
4 x2 9 0
4x 3x 3 0
x 3 or x 3

14

x 2 13x 40 0
x 8x 5 0
x 8 or x 5

15

x 2 40x 300 0
x 30x 10 0
x 30 or x 10

x 2 10x 200 0
x 20x 10 0
x 20 or x 10

16

x 2 40x 400 0
x 20x 20 0
x 20 ( twice)

x 2 4 x 60 0
x 10x 6 0
x 10 or x 6

17

x 2 x 42 0
x 7x 6 0
x 7 or x 6

x 2 35x 300 0
x 20x 15 0
x 20 or x 15

18

x 2 16x 64 0
x 8x 8 0
x 8 ( twice)

x 2 25x 100 0
x 20x 5 0
x 20 or x 5

19

x 2 20x 100 0
x 10x 10 0
x 10 ( twice)

x 2 8x 20 0
x 10x 2 0
x 10 or x 2

20

x 2 16x 80 0
x 20x 4 0
x 20 or x 4

x 2 5x 150 0
x 15x 10 0
x 15 or x 10

21

x 2 25x 150 0
x 30x 5 0
x 30 or x 5

6 x 2 24 0
6 x2 4 0
4x 2x 2 0
x 2 or x 2

22

x 2 7 x 12 0
x 4x 3 0
x 4 or x 3

x 2 15x 36 0
x 12x 3 0
x 12 or x 3

23

x 2 14x 40 0
x 10x 4 0
x 10 or x 4

24

x 2 10x 1200 0
x 40x 30 0
x 40 or x 30

10

11

12

2 x 2 98 0
2 x 2 49 0
3x 7 x 7 0
x 7 or x 7

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21
Answers

Merit Skill 2

Rearrange, then solve, a quadratic equation

x 2 13x 30
x 2 13x 30 0
x 15x 2 0
x 15 or x 2

x 2 30 x
x 2 x 30 0
x 6x 5 0
x 6 or x 5

x 2 9 x 20
x 2 9 x 20 0
x 5x 4 0
x 5 or x 4

10

x 2 103x 20

x 2 30x 200
x 2 30x 200 0
x 20x 10 0
x 20 or x 10

x 2 9x 4

x 2 9 x 36

11

x 9 x 36 0
x 12x 3 0
x 12 or x 3
4

x 2 3x 40
x 2 3x 40 0
x 8x 5 0
x 8 or x 5

x 2 8x 9 x 56
x 2 x 56 0
x 8x 7 0
x 8 or x 7

x 32

x 2 8x 9 0
x 9x 1 0
x 9 or x 1
12

x 2 3x 26 14x
x 2 11x 26 0
x 13x 2 0
x 13 or x 2

13

x 2 60 16x
x 2 16x 60 0
x 10x 6 0
x 10 or x 6

14

x 2 53x 10

25

x 6 x 9 25
2

x 2 6 x 16 0
x 8x 2 0
x 8 or x 2
7

x 2 10x 21
x 2 10x 21 0
x 7 x 3 0
x 7 or x 3
x 2 10 7 x
x 2 7 x 10 0
x 5x 2 0
x 5 or x 2

x 6x 2 21
x 2 8 x 12 21

x 2 15x 50
x 2 15x 50 0
x 10x 5 0
x 10 or x 5
15

x 3x 2 6
x2 x 6 6
x 2 x 12 0
x 4x 3 0
x 4 or x 3

16

x 2 25x 6

x 2 25x 150
x 2 25x 150 0
x 15x 10 0
x 15 or x 10

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22
Answers
1

Merit Skill 3

Solve simultaneous linear equations

5 y 2 x 75
y x 13

7 x 10x 30 159
7 x 10x 300 159
3x 141
x 47 and y 47 30 17

5x 13 2 x 75
5 x 65 2 x 75
7 x 140
x 20 and y 20 13 7
2

2x 8 y 4
x 2 y 10

2x 8 y 6
5y x 1
x 5y 1
25 y 1 8 y 6
10 y 2 8 y 6
2y 8
y 4 and x 5 4 1 19

3x 2 y 119
y x 23
3x 2x 23 119
3x 2 x 46 119
5 x 165
x 33 and y 33 23 10

Rearrange eqn 2

14x 2 y 22 Double eqn 1, thensubtract

5 x 2 y 59
9x
81
x
9 Now substitute into eqn 1
63 y 11
y 63 11 52
8

3x 4 y 122
x y 1

3 y 1 4 y 122
3 y 3 4 y 122
7 y 119
y 17 and x 17 1 18

2y x 2
3y x 6

2y x 2
3 y x 6 Rearrange eqn 2, thensubtract
y 4
y 4 Now substitute into eqn 2
3 4 x 6
x6

7 x y 11
5 x 2 y 59

7 x y 11
5 x 2 y 59

22 y 10 8 y 4
4 y 20 8 y 4
4 y 16
y 4 and x 2 4 10 18
3

7 x 10 y 159
y x 30

4x y 3
x 18 y

4 x x 18 3
4 x x 18 3
3x 21
x 7 and y 7 18 25
10

2 x 6 y 30
3x 8 y 90

2 x 6 y 30
3x 8 y 90 Rearrange equation 2
6 x 18 y 90 Multiply eqn 1 by 3
6 x 16 y 180 Multiply eqn 2 by 2
2 y 90 Subtracting equations
y 45 Now substitute into eqn 2
3x 8 45 90
3x 450
x 150

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23
Answers
1

Merit Skill 4

Rearrange a formula

P 2l 2b

2l 2b P

r 2 h V

2b P 2l

h V2
r

b P 2l
2
2

r 2 h V

S 180n 2

r2 V
h

180n 2 S

180n 360 S
180n S 360
n S 360
180

2
A d
4

d 2 A
4

n2 S
180

d 2 4A

n S 2
180

4A

1
mv2
2

A 1 bh
2

1 m v2 E
2

bh 2 A

m v2 2 E

h 2A
b

v 2 2E
m

D 2l w

2l w D
w D 2l
w D 2l

V
h

or you can do this :

1 bh A
2

V r 2 h

n 1d

A
1.433

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T a

d T a
n 1

1.433x 2 A
A
1.433

T a n 1d

a n 1d T

A 1.433x 2

x2

2E
m

10

2 x 3 y 12

3 y 12 2 x
y 12 2 x
3

24
Answers

Merit Skill 5

Simplify a fractional algebraic expression

4 x 12
x3

4 x 3
x3

x 2 x 2
x2

x2 9
x3

x 3x 3

x 2x 1

x 4x 1

3x x 1
x 1

3x

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x 2x 1
x2

2 x 2 8x
x4

2 xx 4
x4

2x
x 2 4x 4
x2

13

3 p 2 q 2 q 5
3 pq 2

3x 2 3x
x 1

x4

x 2 3x 2
x2

12

pq 5
7

x 4x 3

x 1

x 1
6

x 2 x 12
x4

x4

3 p 2 q 3 15 p 2 q 2
3 pq 2

1
x 1

11

x 1
5

x3

x2

x 2 5x 4
x4

x 1x 1

x3

x 1

10

x3

x2 x 2
x2

x 1
x2 1

x2

6 x x 2 y
3x 2 y

2x

x 3 2x 2
x2

6 x 2 12xy
3x 6 y

x 2x 2
x2

x2
2x 6
x 2 3x

14

2x 3
x x 3

2
x

25
Answers

Merit Skill 6

x 5x
2 12
12x 10x
24
2x
24
x
12

x x
5 6
6x 5x
30
x
30

2p 7p

1
5
10 p 7 p

5
3p

10

2x x
3
4
8 x 3x
12
5x
12

3z 3z
4 16
12z 3 z
16 16
15z
16

11

2a a
9
1
2a 9a
9
11a
9

2x 4x
9
3
2
x
12

x
9
9
14x
9

12

6x 7 x
7
6
36x 49x
42
85x
42

x x
5 15
3
x x
15 15
2x
15

13

7 d 2d
10
5
7 d 4d
10 10
3d
10

14

3x 9 x
5
25
15
x

9x
25 25
6x
25

2 x 3x
5 10
4 x 3x

10 10
7x

10

m 3m
4
5
5m 12m
20
17m
20

Add or subtract algebraic fractions

k 5k
8 12
12k 40k
96
52k
96
13
k
24
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26
Practice Assessment Answers
Assessment One

Assessment Two

Assessment Three

9a 8 b 2

4a 2

12a 7

10 y

2 p 18q

11a 39

2 y 2 5 y 12

3x 2 10x 8

3d 2 17d 10

x 7x 4

x 4x 2

x 4x 3

x6

x 2
3

x 7
12

x 0 or x 1
3

x 7 or x 2
3

x 3 or x

x 10 or x 3

x 6 or x 3

x 5 or x 5

x 5 or x 2

x 7 or x 1

x 6 or x 2

a 4 and b 5

x 7 and y 2

x 5 and y 7

10

h 3V2
r

10

10

t Ck
2n

11

x4
2

11

x4

12

7x
4

11
12

2ab

23x
10

12

Go to List of Required Skills (page 1)

11m
12

A
4

1
2