Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

Question 1
(a)

Solve the equation 7x 11 10x 22 .

(b) Solve the equation 15 x( x 4) 0 .

(c)

Solve the equation

a 8 3a 5

.
4
7

[1]
[1]
[2]

Question 2
Xena has 20a sheets of paper. Yvette has 12 more sheets than Xena. Zephyr has a quarter
of the number of sheets that Yvette has.
(a) Write down, in terms of a, the number of sheets of paper that Zephyr has.
[1]
(b) They have a total of 870 sheets of paper. Find how many sheets Yvette has.

[2]

Question 3
(a)

Solve the equation 4(a 8) 1 (9 2a) .

(b) Solve the following equations

y 2x 5
x 3y 4

[2]

[2]

Question 4
A rectangular packet of drink has a width that is 2 cm less than its length.
Its height is 4 cm more than its length.
A rectangular packet of drink has a width that is 2 cm less than its length.
Its height is 4 cm more than its length.
(a) It is given that the length of the packet is m cm. Write down an expression, in
terms of x, for the total surface area of the packet.

[2]

The total surface area of the packet is 600 cm2. Write down an equation in m to
represent this information, and show that it simplifies to 3m 2 4m 308 0 .

[3]

Solve the equation 3m 2 4m 308 0 , giving the solutions correct to 2

decimal places.

[4]

(b) Calculate the height of the packet.

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[1]

Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

Question 5
Solve the inequality. 39 4x 3 21 Show your solution on the number line
below.

10

[2]

10

Question 6
(a)

Express x 2 5 x 11 in the form of (x + a )2 + b, where a and b are constants.

[1]

(b) Hence solve the equation x 2 5 x 11 0 . Express your answers correct to two
decimal places.
[3]

Question 7
(a)

Solve the equation 8a 2 10a 13 0 . Express your answers correct to two

decimal places.

[4]

(b) The cost of a thumb drive is $x and the cost of a keyboard is $y.
David spent a total of $320 to buy 6 thumb drives and 11 keyboards.
(i) Write down an equation in terms of x and y to represent the above
information.

[1]

(ii) At the same shop, Robin spent a total of $436 to buy 20 thumb drives and 8
keyboards.
Write down an equation in terms of x and y to represent this information.

[1]

(iii) Solve the above two equations and find the values of x and y.

[3]

Question 8
(a)

Solve the following equations

(i) 8m 2 9m

[2]

32
t 5

t 5
8

[3]

(ii)

(b) Solve the equation 4 x 2 8 x 1 0 . Express your answers correct to two

decimal places.

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[4]

Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

Answer Key
1.

2.

(a)

x 11

(b)

x 0 or x 4

(c)

a=4

(a)

5a + 3

(b) 392
3.

4.

(a)

a = 26

(b)

4
3
x 3 , y 2
5
5

(a)

(6m 2 8m 16) cm 2

(c)

m 9.49 or 10.82 (rejected)

(d) 13.5 cm
5.

9 x 5

x 9
x5
10

10

6.

7.

(a)

5
69

x
2
4

(b)

x 1.65 or 6.65

(a)

a 0.79 or 2.04

(b) (i) 6x + 11y = 320

(ii) 5x + 2y = 109
(iii) x = 13, y = 22

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Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

8.

(a)

(i) m 0 or 1

1
8

(ii) t 21 or 11
(b)

x 0.13 or 1.87

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Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

Solutions
Question 1
(a)
[Thinking Process]
Notice that the given equation is a linear equation consisting of one variable.
Collect the variable terms on one side of the equation and the constant terms on the other
side of the equation, then simplify.
[Working Steps]
7 x 11 10 x 22
(Subtract 22 from both sides)
7 x 33 10 x
(Subtract 10x from both sides)
3x 33 0
3x 33

(Add 33 to both sides)

x 11

[Divide both sides by (3) ]

(b)
[Thinking Process]
Observe that the left-hand side (LHS) of the equation, 15 x( x 4) , is a product of two
terms: 15x and ( x 4) .
Since the RHS of the equation is zero, either of the two terms must be zero to satisfy the
equation.
Equate each term to zero and solve the two resulting equations.
[Working Steps]
15 x( x 4) 0
Either 15 x 0 or ( x 4) 0
x 0 or x 4

(c)
[Thinking Process]

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Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

Since it is more convenient to solve equations without fractions, multiply both sides of
the equation by the L.C.M. of the denominators so as to obtain a linear equation. Then
solve the linear equation.
[Working Steps]
a 8 3a 5

4
7
a 8
3a 5

(28)
(28)
4
7
( a 8)(7) (3a 5)( 4)

The L.C.M. of 4 and 7 is 28.

Multiply both sides by the L.C.M.

7 a 56 12a 20
19a 56 20
19a 76

a4

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[Subtract 12a from both sides]

[Subtract 56 from both sides]
[Divide both sides by (19)]

Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

Question 2
(a)
[Thinking Process]
Notice that the number of sheets Xena has and the number of sheets Zephyr has are both
given in relation to the number of sheets Yvette has.
Express the number of sheets Yvette has in terms of the number of sheets Xena has. Then
express the number of sheets Zephyr has in terms of the number of sheets Yvette has and
simplify.
[Working Steps]
Since Yvette has 12 more sheets of paper than Xena,
Number of sheets Yvette has = 20a + 12
Since Zephyr has a quarter of the number of sheets that Yvette has,

20a 12
4
5a 3

Number of sheets Zephyr has

(b)
[Thinking Process]
Add the three expressions for the number of sheets each person has and equate the sum to
870 (given). Then solve for a and substitute the result into the expression for the number
of sheets Yvette has and simplify.
[Working Steps]
Since there are a total of 870 sheets of paper and the number of sheets of paper that Xena,
Yvette and Zephyr have are 20a, 20a + 12 and 5a + 3 respectively,

20a 20a 12 5a 3 870

45a 15 870
45a 855
a 19

(Subtract 15 from both sides)

(Divide both sides by 45)

Substitute a = 19:

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Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

Number of sheets of paper Yvette has 20a 12

20(19) 12
392

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Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

Question 3
(a)
[Thinking Process]
Notice that the given equation is linear, consisting of one variable.
Expand the terms in brackets, then collect the variable terms on one side and the constant
terms on the other side and simplify.
[Working Steps]

4(a 8) 1 (9 2a )
4a 32 1 9 2a
4a 32 8 2a
(Subtract 2a from both sides)
2a 32 8
2a 24
a 12

(Add 32 to both sides)

(Divide both sides by 2)

(b)
[Thinking Process]
Since each variable is already the subject of one equation, it is convenient to use the
substitution method to solve the simultaneous equations:
Substitute the expression for either variable into the other equation and solve. Then
substitute the result back into the first expression and solve.
[Working Steps]
y 2x 5
x 3y 4

(1)
(2)

Substituting (2) into (1),

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Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

y 2(3 y 4) 5
y 6y 8 5
y 6 y 13
5 y 13
13
5
3
y 2
5
y

[Subtract 6y from both sides]

[Divide both sides by (5)]

Substituting y

13
into (2),
5

13
x 3 4
5
4
3
5
4
3
x 3 , y 2
5
5

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10

Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

Question 4
(a)
[Thinking Process]
Identify the three-dimensional shape: Cuboid
Recall the formula for the total surface area of a cuboid: 2(lb + lh + bh) i.e. the sum of
the area of all the faces.
Notice that the width and the height are both given in terms of the length x. Hence,
express the length, the width and the height of the packet in terms of the length, i.e. m.
Then find the total surface area using the above formula.
[Working Steps]
Since the length of the packet is m cm,
Width of packet = (m 2) cm
Height of packet = (m 4) cm
Total surface area of packet
2(lb lh bh)
2[m(m 2) m(m 4) (m 2)( m 4)]
2(m 2 2m m 2 4m m 2 4m 2m 8)
2(3m 2 4m 8)
(6m 2 8m 16) cm 2

(b)
[Thinking Process]
Equate the total surface area found in (a) to the given numerical value (600 cm2), and
then simplify the equation.
[Working Steps]
Since the total surface area of the packet is 600 cm2,
6m 2 8m 16 600
6m 2 8m 616 0

(Subtract 600 from both sides)

3m 4m 308 0 (shown) (Divide both sides by 2)

2

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11

Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

(c)
[Thinking Process]
b b 2 4ac
. Since
2a
length can only be positive, reject any value of m that is negative.

Apply the general formula for solving a quadratic equation: x

[Working Steps]

3m 2 4m 308 0
m
m

4 4 2 4(3)( 308)
2(3)

b b 2 4ac
2a

4 3712
6

4 3712
6
9.487 697 474

or

Correct to

9.49
2 decimal places

4 3712
6
10.821 030 81

Correct to

(rejected)
10.82
2 decimal places

(d)
[Thinking Process]
Substitute the value of m found in (c) into the expression for the height of the packet
found in (a).
[Working Steps]
Height of packet m 4
9.487 697 474 4 (Substitute m = 9.487 697 474)
13.5 cm (3 sig. fig.)

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12

Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

Question 5
[Thinking Process]
Separate the two inequalities and solve them independently.
Then, represent the solutions on the number line. The region where they overlap
represents the solution which satisfies both inequalities simultaneously.
[Working Steps]

39 4x 3 21 can be expressed as two inequalities:

39 4x 3 and 4x 3 21
Solving the two inequalities,
Consider the first inequality, 39 4x 3 :

39 4 x 3
4 x 39 3
4 x 36
x 9

[Subtract 4x from both sides]

[Add 39 to both sides]
[Divide both sides by (4) and reverse the sign]

Consider the second inequality, 4x 3 21:

4 x 3 17
4 x 20
x5

[Add 3 to both sides]

[Divide both sides by 4]

x 9
x5
10

10

The common area, as shaded, is the solution: 9 x 5 .

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13

Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

Question 6
(a)
[Thinking Process]
Express the first two terms of the quadratic expression (of the form x 2 px ) in the form
2

p p

x by subtracting the square of half the coefficient of x. Then add the

2 2

constant term and simplify.

[Working Steps]
2

5 5

x 5 x 11 x 11
2 2

p p

x px x
2 2

5
25

x
11
2
4

5
69

x
2
4

(b)
[Thinking Process]
Substitute the result in (a) for the L.H.S. of the equation and solve.
[Working Steps]
2

5
69

Since x 5 x 11 x
,
2
4

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14

Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

x 2 5 x 11 0
2

5
69

0
x
2
4

5
69

x
2
4

69

to both sides
Add
4

5
69

2
4

(Take the square root of both sides)

5
69

2
4

or

5
69

2
4

69 5
69
x

4 2
4
Correct to

1.65
6.65
2
decimal
places

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5
2
Correct to

2
decimal
places

15

Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

Question 7
(a)
[Thinking Process]
Apply the general formula for solving a quadratic equation: x

b b 2 4ac
.
2a

[Working Steps]

8a 2 10a 13 0
a
a

10 10 2 4(8)( 13)
2(8)

b b 2 4ac
2a

10 516
16

a 10 516
a 10 516
or
16
16
Correct to

Correct to

0.79
2.04
2 decimal places
2 decimal places
(b)
[Thinking Process]
(i)

Amount spent on thumb drives = Number of thumb drives Price of each thumb
drive
Amount spent on keyboards = Number of keyboards Price of each keyboard
Express the amount spent on thumb drives in terms of x and the amount spent on
keyboards in terms of y. Equate the sum of the two amounts to the given total. Then
simplify the equation.

(ii) Express the amount spent on thumb drives in terms of x and the amount spent on
keyboards in terms of y. Equate the sum of the two amounts to the given total. Then
simplify the equation.
(iii) Multiply both sides of each equation by a suitable number so that the coefficients of
one of the unknowns are equal (to their lowest common multiple, for convenience).
Then, use the elimination method to solve the equations.
[Working Steps]

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Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

(i)

Total amount of money spent $320

Amount spent on thumb drives Amount spent on keyboards $320
(Price of a thumb drive Number of thumb drives)
(Price of a keyboard Number of keyboards) $320

($ x 6) ($ y 11) $320
6 x 11y 320
Total amount of money spent $436

(ii)

Amount spent on thumb drives Amount spent on keyboards $436

(Price of a thumb drive Number of thumb drives)
(Price of a keyboard Number of keyboards) $436

($ x 20) ($ y 8) $436
20 x 8 y 436
5 x 2 y 109

(iii) 6 x 11 y 320
5 x 2 y 109

(1)
(2)

(1) 5,
30 x 55 y 1600

(3)

(2) 6,

30 x 12 y 654

(4)

(3) (4),

(30 x 55 y ) (30 x 12 y ) 1600 654

30 x 55 y 30 x 12 y 946
43 y 946
y 22

(Divide both sides by 43)

Substituting y = 22 into (2),

5 x 2(22) 109
5 x 44 109
5 x 65 (Subtract 44 from both sides)
x 13 (Divide both sides by 5)

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Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

x 13, y 22

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18

Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

Question 8
(a)
[Thinking Process]
(i)

Arrange the terms of the equation such that the R.H.S. is 0.

Since the L.H.S. of the re-arranged equation has a common factor of m, extract the
common factor and then solve the equation.

(ii) Cross-multiply to rewrite the equation without the use of fractions.

Solve the equation by taking the square root of both sides.
[Working Steps]
(i)

8m 2 9m
8m 2 9m 0

(Add 9m to both sides)

(Extract the common factor)

m(8m 9) 0
m0

or

8m 9 0
8m 9

m 1
(ii)

32
t 5

t 5
8
256 (t 5) 2

(Subtract 9 from both sides)

1
(Divide both sides by 8)
8

(Cross multiply)

(t 5) 2 256
t 5 16
t 5 16

t 21

(Take the square root of both sides)

or
t 5 16
t 11

(b)
[Thinking Process]
Apply the general formula for solving a quadratic equation: x

b b 2 4ac
.
2a

[Working Steps]

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Solutions of Equations and Inequalities

Practice Questions

4 x 2 8x 1 0
x
x

8 8 2 4(4)(1)
2(4)

b b 2 4ac
x
2a

8 48
8

8
x 8 48
x
or
8
8
Correct to

1.87
0.13
2 decimal places

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48
Correct to

2 decimal places

20