How do I deal with a number in front of a bracket?

Divide both sides by that number first, for example 2(x + 4) = 26 becomes x + 4 = 13.

What if the unknown appears twice?

Combine the like terms first, for example write 6x + 2x as 8x, then solve the equation.

Should the answer include units?

Yes. Use years, dollars or cm as the question asks, and check the answer against the story.

P5 Maths Simple Equations Paper 2: Intermediate

2026-11-09

Tutor Prep Guide · P5 Maths

Ten original items, each with an answer and a one-line explanation.

Direct answers　Items 1-3 are basic, 4-6 intermediate and 7-9 challenge, with item 10 as the error review. Time yourself first, then check every answer and redo the wrong ones.

01　Paper details (check answers afterwards)

Item	Detail
Questions	10
Suggested time	20
Difficulty mix	Foundation 3 · Intermediate 3 · Challenge 3 · Error redo 1
Chapter	Chapter: P5 Maths Simple Equations and Word Problems
Level	P5

02　Questions (10 items)

FoundationSolve the equation 5x + 6 = 41.
FoundationSolve the equation 7x − 15 = 34.
FoundationSolve the equation 2(x + 4) = 26.
IntermediateSolve the equation 3(x − 2) = 18.
IntermediateSolve the equation x ÷ 4 + 5 = 11.
IntermediateSolve the equation 6x + 2x = 56.
ChallengeA father is 4 times as old as his son and their ages add up to 45. How old is the son?
ChallengeA pen costs x dollars. Three pens cost 6 dollars more than two notebooks at 12 dollars each. Find x.
ChallengeA taxi charges 24 dollars to start and x dollars per kilometre. A 5 km ride costs 64 dollars. Find x.
Error redoError review: a pupil solves 4x + 5 = 25 by doing 25 × 4 − 5 and answers x = 95. What is the correct answer?

03　Answers and one-line notes

#	Answer	One-line note
1	x = 7	Subtract 6 to get 5x = 35, then divide by 5 to get x = 7.
2	x = 7	Add 15 to get 7x = 49, then divide by 7 to get x = 7.
3	x = 9	Divide both sides by 2 to get x + 4 = 13, so x = 9.
4	x = 8	Divide both sides by 3 to get x − 2 = 6, so x = 8.
5	x = 24	Subtract 5 to get x ÷ 4 = 6, then multiply by 4 to get x = 24.
6	x = 7	Combine like terms to get 8x = 56, then divide by 8 to get x = 7.
7	9 years old	Let the son be x, then 4x + x = 45, so 5x = 45 and x = 9.
8	x = 10	Three pens cost 3x and two notebooks cost 24, so 3x = 24 + 6 = 30 and x = 10.
9	x = 8	24 + 5x = 64, so 5x = 40 and x = 8.
10	x = 5	Subtract 5 first to get 4x = 20, then divide by 4 to get x = 5; multiplication cannot come first here.

04　What to do after marking

After marking, redo only the wrong items and write down which step went wrong (formula, unit, or misread number).
Repeat the same item two days later; move to the next paper only when both attempts are correct.
Parents only need the answer and note columns; there is no need to explain every item.

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