Algebra

What you'll learn

Build algebra intuition for SSC-CGL with must-know identities, the a+1/a family of tricks, and a step-by-step method to crack value-finding questions fast.

This chapter has

Algebra — solved practice questions

8 SSC / Banking Quantitative Aptitude questions with step-by-step solutions. Attempt each, then reveal the answer.

1. Q1medium

   If x + 1/x = 4, find x² + 1/x²:

   • A12
   • B13
   • C14
   • D16
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (C) 14

   (x+1/x)² = x²+2+1/x² → 16 = x²+2+1/x² → x²+1/x² = 14.

2. Q2medium

   If x + y = 5 and x − y = 3, then xy =

   • A2
   • B4
   • C8
   • D15
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) 4

   (x+y)²−(x−y)² = 4xy → 25−9 = 4xy → xy = 4.

3. Q3easy

   a² − b² equals:

   • A(a+b)(a−b)
   • B(a−b)²
   • C(a+b)²
   • Da(a−b)
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (A) (a+b)(a−b)

   a² − b² = (a+b)(a−b) is the difference of squares factorisation.

4. Q4easy

   If 2x + 3 = 11, then x =

   • A3
   • B4
   • C5
   • D6
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) 4

   2x = 8 → x = 4.

5. Q5easy

   (a + b)² =

   • Aa²+2ab+b²
   • Ba²+b²
   • Ca²−2ab+b²
   • D2a+2b
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (A) a²+2ab+b²

   (a+b)² = a² + 2ab + b².

6. Q6medium

   If x² − 5x + 6 = 0, the values of x are:

   • A1 and 6
   • B2 and 3
   • C−2 and −3
   • D2 and −3
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) 2 and 3

   (x−2)(x−3) = 0 → x = 2 or x = 3.

7. Q7medium

   If x = 2 and y = −3, the value of 3x² − 2y is:

   • A6
   • B12
   • C18
   • D24
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (C) 18

   3(4) − 2(−3) = 12 + 6 = 18.

8. Q8medium

   The value of (103)² using the identity:

   • A10600
   • B10609
   • C10806
   • D10900
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) 10609

   (100+3)² = 10000+600+9 = 10609.

Want the full set? Practise all 15 Algebra questions →