THE X FILES
BRACKET MAYHEM
EQUATION ESCAPE
PATTERN HACKERS
ALGEBRA IN THE WILD
100

What is the HCF of 18x and 24x?

6x

100

Simplify:

7x+4x−3x 

8x

100

Escape the equation:

x+17=29 

x = 12

100

What comes next?

7, 12, 17, 22, ? 

27

100

A number increased by 13 is 31.

Find the number.

18


200

The expression below has one hidden common factor. Find it and factorise completely: 

12x+18


6(2x +3)

200

Simplify:

8a+3b−5a+2b 

3a + 5b

200

Escape:

5x−8=27


x = 7 

200

Find the next two terms:

31, 27, 23, 19, … 

15, 11

200

A notebook costs ₹20 more than a pen.

Together they cost ₹140.

How much does each cost?

Pen = ₹60, Notebook = ₹80

300

Factorise:

15xy−10x 

5x(3y - 2)

300

Simplify:

4(2x+3)−5x 

3x + 12

300

The variable is hiding on both sides:

7x+4=3x+28

Find xx.

x = 6

300

A pattern begins:

5, 8, 11, 14,…

Let nn be the position number and tt the term.

Find a general rule connecting nn and tt.

t = 3n + 2

300

The sum of three consecutive integers is 72.

Find all three integers.

23, 24, 25

400

Find the HCF of all three terms:

18x2y,30xy2,42xy 

6xy

400

Simplify:

3(2x−5)−2(x+4)+7 

4x - 16

400

This one has brackets:

4(x−3)=2x+10

Find xx.

x = 11

400

A sequence is:

7, 12, 17, 22,…

A student claims that the general rule is:

t=5n+2

Is the rule correct? Prove your answer using substitution.

For n=1:

5(1)+2=7

For n=4:

5(4)+2=22

Therefore the rule works for the given terms.

400

A number is multiplied by 5 and then 7 is added. The result is the same as three times the number plus 25.

Find the number.

x = 9

500

Mahir claims:

12x2+18x=6x(2x+3)

Aashrey claims:

12x2+18x=3x(4x+6)

Both expressions are correct. Which one is completely factorised, and how can you prove it?

Mahir is right!

The second answer can be factorised further because 4x+64x+6 has a common factor of 2.

500

Simplify:

5(2x−3)−3(1−x)+2(4−x) 

11x - 10

500

Solve:

−2(4−x)=6(x+2)+3x 

x = -20/7

500

A sequence follows this rule:

4, 9, 14, 19, …

What is the 20th term?

99

Why: The pattern increases by 5, so

t=5n−1
t=5(20)−1=99


500

Three consecutive odd integers have a sum of 81. Find them.

25, 27, 29