S1 Maths: Algebraic Expressions And Substitution (Paper 3 (challenge))

S1 Maths: Algebraic Expressions and Substitution (Paper 3 (challenge))

2026-11-15

Tutor Prep Guide · substitution; brackets and powers; order of operations; simplifying first; working back to the unknown

S1 Maths: Algebraic Expressions and Substitution (Paper 3 (challenge))

Paper 3 (challenge): ten substitution questions on evaluating expressions, brackets and powers, simplifying before substituting, and working back to the unknown, with answers and one-line notes.

Direct answers　Level: S1 maths; format: substitution, simplifying expressions, order of operations, working back from a value.

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: S1 Maths: Algebraic Expressions and Substitution
Level	S1

02　Questions (10 items)

FoundationFind the value of 3(2a – b) when a = 4 and b = 5.
FoundationFind the value of (x + 1)(x – 2) when x = 5.
FoundationFind the value of x / y + y / x when x = 6 and y = 3.
IntermediateFor what value of x are 2x + 3 and 3x – 5 equal?
IntermediateA triangle has base 2t cm and height (t + 1) cm. What is its area when t = 3?
IntermediateFind the value of 3n squared minus 2n when n = 5.
ChallengeGiven x = 2y, y = 3z and z = 4, find x.
ChallengeFind the value of 5(a – b) squared when a = 9 and b = 6.
ChallengeSimplify 4x + 2(3 – x) and then find its value when x = 7.
Error redoError clinic: find the value of minus x squared when x = 4.

03　Answers and one-line notes

#	Answer	One-line note
1	9.	Inside the bracket 8 minus 5 is 3, and 3 times 3 is 9.
2	18.	The two brackets give 6 and 3, and 6 times 3 is 18.
3	2.5.	6 divided by 3 is 2 and 3 divided by 6 is 0.5, so the total is 2.5.
4	x = 8.	Rearranging gives x = 8, and both expressions are then 19.
5	12 cm squared.	The base is 6 cm and the height is 4 cm, so the area is 6 times 4 divided by 2, that is 12.
6	65.	3 times 25 is 75, and subtracting 10 gives 65.
7	24.	From z we get y = 12, and then x = 2 times 12 = 24.
8	45.	The bracket gives 3, squaring gives 9, and 9 times 5 is 45.
9	It simplifies to 2x + 6, which is 20.	Expanding gives 4x + 6 – 2x, which simplifies to 2x + 6, and at x = 7 that is 20.
10	-16.	Square 4 to get 16 and then apply the minus sign; treating it as positive 16 is the usual mistake.

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.

Check the answers; handle brackets and powers first, then collect like terms.Tutor Registration →

Questions and answers are written originally by the TutorZone team and are not taken from any school, publisher or examination authority paper. Every value is checked by computer.