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AQA GCSE Maths

Topic questions Pure mathematics Simplifying and manipulating expressions

Simplifying and manipulating expressions

137 questions · 372 marks · about 7 hours

Simplifying and manipulating expressions questions

AQA 8300 Simplifying and manipulating expressions 137 questions

Paper 2: Calculator June 2025 Foundation tier, Question 24, also on the Higher paper 1 mark

Circle the expression which is a factor of 3 x + 15

3 x x + 12 x + 5 x + 15

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 24

Paper 2: Calculator June 2025 Higher tier, Question 6, also on the Foundation paper 1 mark

Circle the expression which is a factor of 3 x + 15

3 x x + 12 x + 5 x + 15

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6

Paper 2: Calculator June 2025 Higher tier, Question 14 3 marks

a, b and c are positive integers.

a (9 x + 2) โ‰ก 45 x + 3 b + c

Work out one possible set of values for a, b and c.

Question 14, shown as an image
[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 14

Paper 3: Calculator June 2025 Higher tier, Question 20 3 marks

(a)

Factorise fully 3n2 + 5n + 2

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 20(a)
(b)

A sequence has nth term 3n2 + 5n + 2

Are any of the terms in the sequence a prime number? Tick a box.

Figure for question 20

Give a reason for your answer.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 20(b)

Paper 1: Non-calculator November 2024 Higher tier, Question 19 5 marks

(a)

Expand and simplify fully (x + 2)(2 x + 3)(3 x + 4)

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 19(a)
(b)

Use your answer from part (a) to work out 102 ร— 203 ร— 304

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 19(b)

Paper 2: Calculator November 2024 Foundation tier, Question 3 4 marks

(a)

Solve 5 x = 30

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)
(b)

Solve โ€“ 2 + y = 10

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(b)
(c)
Question 3, shown as an image
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(c)

Paper 2: Calculator November 2024 Foundation tier, Question 12 5 marks

(a)

Work out the value of x2 + 7x when x = โ€“4

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(a)
(b)

Rearrange y = w โ€“ 1 to make w the subject.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(b)
(c)

Simplify fully 4(a + 2) + a

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(c)

Paper 2: Calculator November 2024 Foundation tier, Question 25, also on the Higher paper 3 marks

Here are three terms.

Question 25, shown as an image

Alec multiplies two of these terms.

Work out the three possible fully simplified answers.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 25

Paper 2: Calculator November 2024 Higher tier, Question 11, also on the Foundation paper 3 marks

Also involves Indices

Here are three terms.

Question 11, shown as an image

Alec multiplies two of these terms.

Work out the three possible fully simplified answers.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 11

Paper 2: Calculator June 2024 Foundation tier, Question 2 4 marks

(a)

Simplify fully x + 4 x

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(a)
(b)

Simplify fully 5 ร— 2 w

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(b)
(c)

Simplify fully 2 m รท m

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(c)
(d)

Simplify fully y ร— y ร— y

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(d)

Paper 1: Non-calculator November 2023 Foundation tier, Question 6 4 marks

(a)

Simplify fully a + a + a + a

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(a)
(b)

Factorise 5 a + 10

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)
(c)

Multiply out 4(10 โ€“ x)

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(c)

Paper 3: Calculator November 2023 Foundation tier, Question 11 4 marks

(a)

Simplify fully 2 x + 9 y + 1 + 8 x โ€“ 5 y โ€“ 7

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 11(a)
(b)

Circle the expression that is equivalent to 0.5a2

Question 11, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 11(b)

Paper 1: Non-calculator June 2023 Foundation tier, Question 22, also on the Higher paper 2 marks

Expand and simplify fully 5(3 x + 4) โ€“ 2(x โ€“ 1)

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 22

Paper 1: Non-calculator June 2023 Higher tier, Question 8, also on the Foundation paper 2 marks

Expand and simplify fully 5(3 x + 4) โ€“ 2(x โ€“ 1)

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8

Paper 2: Calculator June 2023 Foundation tier, Question 2 4 marks

Match each expression on the left with the simplified expression on the right. One has been done for you.

Figure for question 2
[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2

Paper 3: Calculator June 2023 Foundation tier, Question 10 3 marks

(a)

Simplify fully p2 ร— p

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 10(a)
(b)

Simplify fully 3 a + 5 c โ€“ a + 6 c

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 10(b)

Paper 3: Calculator June 2023 Foundation tier, Question 25 3 marks

(a)

Factorise x2 + 8x + 15

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 25(a)
(b)

Write down the two solutions of (y + 2)(y โ€“ 4) = 0

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 25(b)

Paper 3: Calculator June 2023 Higher tier, Question 18 6 marks

f(x) = x2 + 6x g(x) = 2 x + 4

(a)

Show that fg(x) = 4x2 + 28x + 40

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 18(a)
(b)

Solve fg(x) = โ€“ 5

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 18(b)

Paper 3: Calculator June 2023 Higher tier, Question 19 3 marks

Two integers have a difference of 6 The integers are multiplied together. 9 is then added. Prove algebraically that the result is always a square number.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 19

Paper 1: Non-calculator November 2022 Higher tier, Question 15 4 marks

Show that (3x + 4)(2x โ€“ 5) โ€“ 11x(x โ€“ 2) + 5(x2 โ€“ 3x โ€“ 1) simplifies to an integer.

[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 15

Paper 2: Calculator November 2022 Foundation tier, Question 5 3 marks

(a)

Simplify fully d ร— d

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)
(b)

Simplify fully n รท n

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)
(c)
Question 5, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(c)

Paper 2: Calculator November 2022 Foundation tier, Question 22, also on the Higher paper 3 marks

Also involves Volume and surface area

(a)

Here is a cuboid. w, x and y are different whole numbers.

Figure for question 22

The total length of all the edges of the cuboid is 80 cm The volume is greater than 200 cm3 Work out one possible set of values for w, x and y.

Question 22, shown as an image
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 22(a)
(b)

Here is a solid cube.

Figure for question 22

Circle the expression for the total surface area in cm2

Question 22, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 22(b)

Paper 2: Calculator November 2022 Higher tier, Question 8, also on the Foundation paper 3 marks

Also involves Volume and surface area

(a)

Here is a cuboid. w, x and y are different whole numbers.

Figure for question 8

The total length of all the edges of the cuboid is 80 cm The volume is greater than 200 cm3 Work out one possible set of values for w, x and y.

Question 8, shown as an image
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(a)
(b)

Here is a solid cube.

Figure for question 8

Circle the expression for the total surface area in cm2

Question 8, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(b)

Paper 1: Non-calculator June 2022 Foundation tier, Question 19 4 marks

(a)
Question 19, shown as an image

Give your answer as a whole number.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 19(a)
(b)

Simplify 8 ร— 26 ร— 24 Give your answer as a power of 2

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 19(b)

Paper 1: Non-calculator June 2022 Higher tier, Question 19 3 marks

Also involves Sequences

The first three terms of a sequence are x y xy The sequence is continued by multiplying the previous two terms.

(a)

Circle the 5th term of the sequence.

Question 19, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 19(a)
(b)

The 8th term of the sequence is x8y13 The value of this term is negative. What does this mean about the values of x and y ? Tick one box for each row.

Figure for question 19
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 19(b)

Paper 2: Calculator June 2022 Foundation tier, Question 17 4 marks

(a)

x is at least 7 Circle the correct inequality.

Question 17, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 17(a)
(b)

Multiply out 5 c (2 d + 1)

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 17(b)
(c)

Factorise 21 x + 28

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 17(c)

Paper 3: Calculator June 2022 Foundation tier, Question 12 6 marks

(a)

Simplify fully 9 x + y โ€“ 6 x + y

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(a)
(b)

Here are two expressions.

Figure for question 12

When a = 25 the expressions have the same value. Work out the value of b.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(b)
(c)
12 Question 12, shown as an image

Circle your answer.

6 w + 8 3 w + 10 6 w + 5 3 w + 5

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(c)

Paper 3: Calculator June 2022 Higher tier, Question 19 5 marks

Also involves Area and perimeter

Here is the plan of the floor of an L-shaped room. All lengths are in metres.

Figure for question 19
(a)

The area of the floor is 75 m2

Question 19, shown as an image
[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 19(a)
(b)

By factorising x2 + x โ€“ 90 work out the value of x. You must show your working

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 19(b)

Paper 1: Non-calculator November 2021 Foundation tier, Question 22 3 marks

(a)

Lucy wants to simplify 6 a โ€“ (7 b โ€“ 2 a) She writes 4 a โ€“ 7 b Is she correct?

Question 22, shown as an image
Figure for question 22

Give a reason for your answer.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 22(a)
(b)

Lucy also wants to simplify 3p2 ร— 5p7 She says, โ€œAdd 3 and 5, then add 2 and 7โ€

Question 22, shown as an image

Tick a box for each part of her method.

Figure for question 22
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 22(b)
(c)

Lucy thinks of a number. 10 ร— the number = 10 รท the number Give a possible value of the number.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 22(c)

Paper 3: Calculator November 2021 Foundation tier, Question 19 3 marks

Also involves Area and perimeter

Here are a triangle and a rectangle.

Figure for question 19

a and b are positive numbers. Which shape has the larger perimeter? You must work out expressions for both perimeters.

Tick a box.

Figure for question 19
[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 19

Paper 3: Calculator November 2021 Higher tier, Question 4 1 mark

Factorise x2 โ€“ 64 Circle your answer.

(x + 8)2 (x โ€“ 8)2 (x + 8)(x โ€“ 8) x(x โ€“ 64)

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4

Paper 1: Non-calculator November 2020 Higher tier, Question 13 3 marks

Also involves Quadratic equations

(a)

s and t are positive integers. (x + s)(x โ€“ t) is expanded and simplified. The answer is x 2 + kx โ€“ 40 where k is a positive integer. Work out the smallest possible value of k.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 13(a)
(b)

Faisal tries to solve (x + 2)(x โ€“ 7) = 0 Here is his working. (x + 2) = 0 or (x โ€“ 7) = 0 x = 2 or x = 7 Give a reason why his answer is wrong.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 13(b)

Paper 3: Calculator November 2020 Foundation tier, Question 27 1 mark

Circle the expression that is equivalent to (x โ€“ 1) 2

x 2 โ€“ 1 x 2 + 1 x 2 โ€“ 2 x โ€“ 1 x 2 โ€“ 2 x + 1

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 27

Paper 3: Calculator November 2020 Foundation tier, Question 30, also on the Higher paper 2 marks

Expand and simplify fully 4(2 c + 3) โ€“ (5 c โ€“ 1)

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 30

Paper 3: Calculator November 2020 Higher tier, Question 10, also on the Foundation paper 2 marks

Expand and simplify fully 4(2 c + 3) โ€“ (5 c โ€“ 1)

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 10

Paper 2: Calculator November 2019 Foundation tier, Question 17 3 marks

Match each expression in Column P with the equivalent expression in Column Q. One has been done for you.

Figure for question 17
[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 17

Paper 3: Calculator November 2019 Foundation tier, Question 9 2 marks

(a)

Rearrange m = p + 2 to make p the subject.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 9(a)
(b)

Simplify 5 x 2 โ€“ x 2

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 9(b)

Paper 3: Calculator November 2019 Higher tier, Question 3 1 mark

(2 x โ€“ 4)(3 x + 5) is expanded and simplified. Circle the term which is part of the answer.

2 x โ€“ 2 x 22 x โ€“ 22 x

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3

Paper 1: Non-calculator June 2019 Foundation tier, Question 19 4 marks

Also involves Simultaneous equations

You are given that 4 a โ€“ 2 b = 10

(a)

Write down the value of 2 a โ€“ b

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 19(a)
(b)

Write down the value of 2 b โ€“ 4 a

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 19(b)
(c)

You are given that 4 a โ€“ 2 b = 10 and a + c = 3 Write an expression in a, b and c that is equal to 23 Give your answer in its simplest form. You must show your working.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 19(c)

Paper 1: Non-calculator June 2019 Higher tier, Question 18 3 marks

Here is an identity.

Question 18, shown as an image
(a)

Use the identity to work out the value of 1932 โ€“ 72 You must show your working.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 18(a)
(b)

Factorise 100a2 โ€“ 81b2

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 18(b)

Paper 2: Calculator June 2019 Higher tier, Question 26 3 marks

(x + 5)(x + 2)(x + a) maths symbol x3 + bx2 + cx โ€“ 30 Work out the values of the integers a, b and c.

Question 26, shown as an image
Question 26, shown as an image
[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 26

Paper 3: Calculator June 2019 Foundation tier, Question 19 5 marks

(a)

Simplify fully 3a2 + 7a + 3 โ€“ a2 + 8a โ€“ 4

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 19(a)
(b)

Factorise fully 24y2 โ€“ 20y

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 19(b)

Paper 1: Non-calculator November 2018 Foundation tier, Question 23 4 marks

Two consecutive whole numbers are n and n + 1

(a)

Simplify n โ€“ (n + 1)

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 23(a)
(b)

Multiply out n (n + 1)

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 23(b)
(c)

The two numbers are added. Show that the answer must be an odd number.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 23(c)

Paper 2: Calculator November 2018 Foundation tier, Question 3 1 mark

Simplify 8 x โ€“ 3 + 6 x Circle your answer.

2 x โ€“ 3 11 x 5 + 6 x 14 x โ€“ 3

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3

Paper 2: Calculator June 2018 Foundation tier, Question 7 4 marks

e is 3 more than d. f is 5 less than d.

(a)

Write an expression for e in terms of d.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 7(a)
(b)

Write an expression for f in terms of d.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 7(b)
(c)

Work out e โ€“ f Simplify your answer.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 7(c)

Paper 2: Calculator June 2018 Higher tier, Question 13 3 marks

Also involves Rational expressions

Show that, for x โ‰  โ€“1 13 fraction simplifies to the form ax + b where a and b are integers.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 13

Paper 2: Calculator June 2018 Higher tier, Question 28 6 marks

f(x) = 5 โ€“ x and g(x) = 3 x + 7

(a)

Simplify f(2 x) + g(x โ€“ 1)

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 28(a)
(b)

Solve gโ€“1(x) = 2x

x =

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 28(b)

Paper 3: Calculator June 2018 Foundation tier, Question 17 1 mark

Simplify 7 x โ€“ (3 x โ€“ 2 x) Circle your answer.

7 x โ€“ 1 2 x 6 x 8 x

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 17

Paper 1: Non-calculator November 2017 Foundation tier, Question 26, also on the Higher paper 4 marks

Three identical isosceles triangles are joined to make this trapezium. Each triangle has base b cm and perpendicular height h cm

Figure for question 26
(a)

Work out an expression, in terms of b and h, for the area of the trapezium. Give your answer in its simplest form.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 26(a)
(b)

This diagram shows the same trapezium.

Figure for question 26

b: s = 2: 3 Work out an expression, in terms of b, for the perimeter of the trapezium.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 26(b)

Paper 1: Non-calculator November 2017 Foundation tier, Question 31, also on the Higher paper 3 marks

(a)

Factorise x2 โ€“ 100

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 31(a)
(b)

Solve 7x + 6 maths symbol 1 + 2x

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 31(b)

Paper 1: Non-calculator November 2017 Higher tier, Question 5, also on the Foundation paper 3 marks

(a)

Factorise x2 โ€“ 100

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)
(b)

Solve 7x + 6 maths symbol 1 + 2x

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)

Paper 1: Non-calculator November 2017 Higher tier, Question 10, also on the Foundation paper 4 marks

Also involves Properties of triangles and quadrilaterals

Three identical isosceles triangles are joined to make this trapezium. Each triangle has base b cm and perpendicular height h cm

Figure for question 10
(a)

Work out an expression, in terms of b and h, for the area of the trapezium. Give your answer in its simplest form.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 10(a)
(b)

This diagram shows the same trapezium.

Figure for question 10

b: s = 2: 3 Work out an expression, in terms of b, for the perimeter of the trapezium.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 10(b)

Paper 3: Calculator November 2017 Foundation tier, Question 12 3 marks

a โ€“ b = 5

(a)

Work out the value of 2(a โ€“ b)

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(a)
(b)

Work out the value of 7 a โ€“ 7 b

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(b)
(c)

Work out the value of b โ€“ a

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(c)

Paper 3: Calculator June 2017 Foundation tier, Question 5 5 marks

(a)

Simplify a ร— a ร— a + b + b

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)
(b)

Simplify 5(x + 3) โ€“ x + 2

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)

Paper 3: Calculator June 2017 Foundation tier, Question 26 1 mark

Circle the expression equivalent to x2 โ€“ 4x โ€“ 12

(x โ€“ 4)(x โ€“ 8) (x + 3)(x โ€“ 4) (x โ€“ 12)(x + 1) (x + 2)(x โ€“ 6)

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 26

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