About this preparation
Math diagnostic test, Year 11: Simplifying Expressions (GCSE Maths). 10 questions with answers and explanations. Topics: Simplifying expressions, Collecting like terms, Expanding brackets, Factorising simple expressions, Substituting values into expressions. Duration: 55 min.
Diagnostic tasks
Below is the full list of tasks with correct answers and explanations. In a lesson the tutor can hide the answers and reveal them after the student tries.
1
Simplify: 3x + 5x
8x
15x
8
2x
Explanation: Like terms can be added: 3x + 5x = 8x.
2
Simplify: 7a - 2a + 4
5a + 4
9a
5a - 4
7a + 2a + 4
Explanation: Combine the like terms 7a and -2a to get 5a, then keep the constant 4.
3
Simplify: 4m + 3n - 2m + n
2m + 4n
6mn
6m + 4n
2m + 2n
Explanation: Collect like terms: 4m - 2m = 2m and 3n + n = 4n.
4
Expand and simplify: 2(x + 5)
2x + 10
x + 10
2x + 5
x + 5
Explanation: Multiply both terms inside the bracket by 2: 2x + 10.
5
Expand and simplify: 3(2y - 4)
6y - 12
6y - 4
5y - 12
3y - 12
Explanation: Distribute 3 across the bracket: 3 × 2y = 6y and 3 × -4 = -12.
6
Simplify: 5p - 2(3p - 1)
-p + 2
11p - 2
p - 2
-p - 2
Explanation: First expand the bracket: 5p - 6p + 2. Then combine like terms to get -p + 2.
7
Factorise: 6x + 12
6(x + 2)
3(x + 4)
2(x + 6)
12(x + 1)
Explanation: Take out the common factor 6: 6x + 12 = 6(x + 2).
8
Simplify: 2a + 3b - a + 5b
a + 8b
5a + 8b
a + 2b
3a + 2b
Explanation: Collect like terms: 2a - a = a and 3b + 5b = 8b.
9
Simplify: 4(x - 3) + 2x
6x - 12
6x - 3
2x - 12
4x - 6
Explanation: Expand first: 4x - 12 + 2x. Then combine like terms to get 6x - 12.
10
If x = 2, what is the value of 3x + 4?
10
6
8
12
Explanation: Substitute x = 2: 3(2) + 4 = 6 + 4 = 10.
