GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Forming and Solving Equations - Worksheet

Skill
Group A - Squares
Form an equation for the perimeter in terms of 𝑥. Solve the equation and find 𝑥:

1) Perimeter is 20 2) Perimeter is 26

3) Perimeter is 52 4) Perimeter is 58

5) Perimeter is 48 6) Perimeter is 64

7) Perimeter is 24 8) Perimeter is 24

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 GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Forming and Solving Equations - Worksheet

Group B - Rectangles
Form an equation for the perimeter in terms of 𝑥. Solve the equation and find 𝑥:
1) Perimeter is 40 2) Perimeter is 46

3) Perimeter is 42 4) Perimeter is 52

5) Perimeter is 60 6) Perimeter is 75

7) Perimeter is 14 8) Perimeter is 17

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GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Forming and Solving Equations - Worksheet

Group C - Regular polygons

Form an equation for the perimeter in terms of 𝑥. Solve the equation and find 𝑥:
1) Perimeter is 42 2) Perimeter is 50

3) Perimeter is 120 4) Perimeter is 135

5) Perimeter is 75 6) Perimeter is 79

7) Perimeter is 15 8) Perimeter is 18

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 GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Forming and Solving Equations - Worksheet

Applied

1) (a) Eden has 𝑥 sweets. Fen has 3 more sweets than Eden.
Gio has twice as many sweets as Eden.

Form an expression in terms of 𝑥 for the total number of sweets.

Give your answer in its simplest form.

(b) Altogether there are 51 sweets. Form an equation and solve to find 𝑥.

2) (a) A jumper costs £𝑥.

A shirt costs £5 less than the coat.
A pair of jeans costs twice as much as the shirt.

Form an expression in terms of 𝑥 for the total cost of the clothes.

Give your answer in its simplest form.

(b) Altogether the clothes cost £135.

Form an equation to solve and find the price of the jeans.

3) The diagram shows a triangle with angles 𝑥°, (2𝑥 + 5)° and (2𝑥 + 10)°.

(a) Explain why 5𝑥 + 15 = 180.

(b) Solve to find 𝑥.

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GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Forming and Solving Equations - Worksheet

4) The diagram shows a pair of parallel lines.

(a) Explain why 4𝑥 + 15 = 2𝑥 + 35.

(b) Solve to find the angle marked 2𝑥 + 35.

5) (a) The diagram shows a rectangle with sides 𝑥 and 2𝑥 cm.

Form an expression for the area of the rectangle.

(b) 2
The area of the rectangle is 72 𝑐𝑚 .
Form an equation to find 𝑥.

6) (a) The diagram shows a rectangle with sides 𝑥 and (𝑥 + 5) cm.

Form an expression for the area of the rectangle.

(b) 2
The area of the rectangle is 84 𝑐𝑚 .
Form an equation to find 𝑥.

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 GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Forming and Solving Equations - Exam Questions

1) Robert is 𝑥 years old.

Sara is 3 years older.
Tam is twice as old as Robert.

The total of their ages is 59.

(a) Write an expression for Sara’s age.

….……………
(1)

(b) Write an expression for Tam’s age.

….……………
(1)

(c) Form an equation in 𝑥 and use it to find Robert’s age.

….……………
(3)
(5 marks)

2) ABC is an isosceles triangle where: 𝐴𝐵 = 𝑥 cm, 𝐵𝐶 = 20 cm, and

𝐴𝐶 = 𝑥 cm.

(a) Write a simplified expression, in terms of 𝑥, for the perimeter.

….……………
(2)

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GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Forming and Solving Equations - Exam Questions

(b) The perimeter of the triangle is 90 𝑐𝑚. Find the value of 𝑥.

𝑥 =….……………
(2)
(4 marks)

3) (a) Use the diagram to form an equation in terms of 𝑥. Give a reason

for your equation.

….……………
(2)

(b) Use your answer in part (a) to work out the value of 𝑥.

𝑥 =….……………
(2)
(4 marks)

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 GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Forming and Solving Equations - Exam Questions

4) The diagram shows a trapezium.

Calculate the size of the largest angle.

….……………
(4 marks)

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GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Forming and Solving Equations - Answers

Question Answer

Skill Questions

Group A Form an equation for the perimeter in terms of 𝑥.

Solve the equation and find 𝑥:

1) Perimeter is 20 1) 4𝑥 = 20
𝑥=5

2) Perimeter is 26 2) 4𝑥 = 26
𝑥 = 6. 5

3) Perimeter is 52 3) 4(𝑥 + 3) = 52 or
4𝑥 + 12 = 52
𝑥 = 10

4) Perimeter is 58 4) 4(𝑥 + 3) = 58 or
4𝑥 + 12 = 58
𝑥 = 11. 5

5) Perimeter is 48 5) 4(2𝑥 − 5) = 48 or
8𝑥 − 20 = 48
𝑥 = 8. 5

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 GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Forming and Solving Equations - Answers

Group A 6) Perimeter is 64 6) 4(2𝑥 − 5) = 64 or

contd 8𝑥 − 20 = 64
𝑥 = 10. 5

7) Perimeter is 24 7) 4(10 − 𝑥) = 24 or
40 − 4𝑥 = 24
𝑥=4

8) Perimeter is 24 8) 4(8 − 𝑥) = 24 or
32 − 4𝑥 = 24
𝑥=2

Group B Form an equation for the perimeter in terms of 𝑥.

Solve the equation and find 𝑥:

1) Perimeter is 40 1) 4𝑥 + 12 = 40
𝑥=7

2) Perimeter is 46 2) 4𝑥 + 12 = 46
𝑥 = 8. 5

3) Perimeter is 42 3) 4𝑥 − 10 = 42
𝑥 = 13

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GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Forming and Solving Equations - Answers

Group B 4) Perimeter is 52 4) 4𝑥 − 10 = 52
contd 𝑥 = 15. 5

5) Perimeter is 60 5) 6𝑥 + 6 = 60
𝑥=9

6) Perimeter is 75 6) 6𝑥 + 6 = 75
𝑥 = 11. 5

7) Perimeter is 14 7) 2𝑥 + 8 = 14
𝑥=3

8) Perimeter is 17 8) 2𝑥 + 8 = 17
𝑥 = 4. 5

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 GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Forming and Solving Equations - Answers

Group C Form an equation for the perimeter in terms of 𝑥.

Solve the equation and find 𝑥:

1) Perimeter is 42 1) 6(𝑥 − 1) = 42 or
6𝑥 − 6 = 42
𝑥=8

2) Perimeter is 50 2) 6(𝑥 − 1) = 50 or
6𝑥 − 6 = 50
1
𝑥=9 3

3) Perimeter is 120 3) 6(2𝑥 + 3) = 120 or

12𝑥 + 18 = 120
𝑥 = 8. 5

4) Perimeter is 135 4) 6(2𝑥 + 3) = 135 or

12𝑥 + 18 = 135
𝑥 = 9. 75

5) Perimeter is 75 5) 5(𝑥 + 8) = 75 or
5𝑥 + 40 = 75
𝑥=7

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GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Forming and Solving Equations - Answers

Group C 6) Perimeter is 79 6) 5(𝑥 + 8) = 79 or

contd 5𝑥 + 40 = 79
𝑥 = 7. 8

7) Perimeter is 15 7) 5(9 − 2𝑥) = 15 or

45 − 10𝑥 = 15
𝑥=3

8) Perimeter is 18 8) 5(9 − 2𝑥) = 18 or

45 − 10𝑥 = 18
𝑥 = 2. 7

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 GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Forming and Solving Equations - Answers

Question Answer

Applied Questions

1) a) Eden has 𝑥 sweets. Fen has 3 more sweets a) 4𝑥 + 3

than Eden. Gio has twice as many sweets as
Eden. Form an expression in terms of 𝑥 for the
total number of sweets.
Give your answer in its simplest form.
b) Altogether there are 51 sweets. b) 4𝑥 + 3 = 51
Form an equation and solve to find 𝑥. 𝑥 = 12

2) a) A jumper costs £𝑥. A shirt costs £5 less than a) 4𝑥 − 15

the coat. A pair of jeans costs twice as much
as the shirt. Form an expression in terms of 𝑥
for the total cost of the clothes. Give your
answer in its simplest form.
b) Altogether the clothes cost £135. Form an b) 4𝑥 − 15 = 135
equation to solve and find the price of the 𝑥 = 37. 5
jeans. The jeans cost £65

3) The diagram shows a triangle with angles 𝑥°,

(2𝑥 + 5)° and (2𝑥 + 10)°.

a) Explain why 5𝑥 + 15 = 180. a) Angles in a triangle add up to

180 degrees, so
𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 5 + 2𝑥 + 10 = 180
5𝑥 + 15 = 180
b) Solve to find 𝑥. b) 𝑥 = 33

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GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Forming and Solving Equations - Answers

4) The diagram shows a pair of parallel lines.

a) Explain why 4𝑥 + 15 = 2𝑥 + 35. a) Corresponding angles are

equal so: 4𝑥 + 15 = 2𝑥 + 35
b) Solve to find 2𝑥 + 35. b) 𝑥 = 10
2𝑥 + 35 = 55

5) a) The diagram shows a rectangle with sides 𝑥 a) 2𝑥2

and 2𝑥 𝑐𝑚.

Form an expression for the area of the

rectangle.
b) The area of the rectangle is 72 𝑐𝑚2. b) 2𝑥2 = 72
Form an equation to find 𝑥. 𝑥=6

6) The diagram shows a rectangle with sides 𝑥

and (𝑥 + 5) 𝑐𝑚.

a) Form an expression for the area of the a) 𝑥(𝑥 + 5) or 𝑥2 + 5𝑥

rectangle.
b) The area of the rectangle is 84 𝑐𝑚2. b) 𝑥2 + 5𝑥 = 84
Form an equation to find the 𝑥. 2
𝑥 + 5𝑥 − 84 = 0
(𝑥 − 7)(𝑥 + 12) = 0
𝑥 = 7 or 𝑥 =− 12 (impossible)
𝑥=7

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 GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Forming and Solving Equations - Mark Scheme

Question Answer

Exam Questions

1) (a) Robert is 𝑥 years old. Sara is 3 years (a) 𝑥 + 3 (1)

older. Tam is twice as old as Robert.
The total of their ages is 59. Write an
expression for Sara’s age.
(b) Write an expression for Tam’s age. (b) 2𝑥 (1)
(c) Form an equation in 𝑥 and use it to (c) 4𝑥 + 3 = 59 (1)
find Robert’s age.
𝑥 = 14 (1)

2𝑥 = 28 or Robert’s age is 28 oe (1)

2) ABC is an isosceles triangle where
𝐴𝐵 = 𝑥, 𝐵𝐶 = 20, and 𝐴𝐶 = 𝑥.

(a) Write a simplified expression, in (a) 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 20 (1)

terms of 𝑥, for the perimeter.
2𝑥 + 20
(1)
(b) The perimeter of the triangle is 90𝑐𝑚 (b) 2𝑥 + 20 = 90 (1)
. Find the value of 𝑥.
𝑥 = 35 (1)

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GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Forming and Solving Equations - Mark Scheme

3) (a) Use the diagram to form an equation (a) 2𝑥 + 35 = 50 − 𝑥 (1)

in terms of 𝑥. Give a reason for your
equation. Alternate angles are equal (1)

(b) Use your answer in part (a) to work (b) 3𝑥 = 15 (1)

out the value of 𝑥.
𝑥=5 (1)
4) The diagram shows a trapezium. 90 + 90 + 2𝑥 + 10 + 𝑥 + 5 = 360 or
2𝑥 + 10 + 𝑥 + 5 = 180 or
3𝑥 + 15 = 180 (1)

3𝑥 = 165 (1)

𝑥 = 55 (1)

Calculate the size of the largest angle. 2𝑥 + 10 = 120 (1)

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