2 Expressions,

formulae and equations

2.1 Constructing expressions
Here are three bags, each with a different number of balls inside.
Key word
expression

Tip
This bag has b balls. You
This bag has This bag has cannot see how many Remember that
two balls. four balls. balls are in this bag, so the correct order
you can choose any letter of operations is
to represent the number. used in algebra as
well as in number
calculations.
Exercise 2.1 Divisions and
multiplications
come before
Focus additions and
1 Write down the missing number for each of the following. subtractions.
If you do not know the number, choose your own letter to
represent it.
Tip
a This box has counter. In part c you do
not know how
many counters
b This box has counters.
are in this box,
so choose your
c This box has counters. own letter.

20
 2.1 Constructing expressions

d This bag has apples.

e This bag has apples.

2 Two balls are added to each of these bags. Write down the
missing numbers. Tip
a There is one ball in the bag. In part c choose
Add two balls, so there are now 1 + 2 = balls your own letter
in the bag. for the number
b There are balls in the bag. of balls; for
example, b.
Add two balls, so there are now +2= You cannot work
balls in the bag. out b + 2,
c There are balls in the bag. so just leave
Add two balls, so there are now +2 balls in the expression
the bag. as it is.
3 A bag has n counters in it.
Match the statement in each rectangle to its correct expression in
the ovals. The first one has been done for you: A and iv. Tip
I add three I add one I add six I add nine I add seven An expression is
counters to counter to counters to counters to counters to
a statement that
the bag. the bag. the bag. the bag. the bag.
contains letters
A B C D E
and sometimes
n+7 n+6 n+1 n+3 n+9 numbers; for
example, n + 7.
i ii iii iv v

4 Sofia has a box that contains t toys. Write an expression for the
total number of toys she has in the box when: Tip
a she puts in four more toys In each part of
b she takes out two toys the question Sofia
c she adds five toys starts with t toys.
d she takes out half of the toys.

21
2 Expressions, formulae and equations

5 Cheng has s strawberries. Write an expression for someone

who has:
a two more strawberries than Cheng
b three times as many strawberries as Cheng
c six fewer strawberries than Cheng
d half as many strawberries as Cheng.

Practice
6 Write down an expression for the answer to each of these questions.
a Ali has x paintings. He buys two more paintings.
How many paintings does he now have?
b Hamza has t free text messages on his phone each month.
So far this month he has used 15 text messages.
How many free text messages does he have left?
c Ibrahim is i years old and Tareq is t years old. What is the
total of their ages?
d Aya can store v video clips on one memory card. How many
video clips can he store on two memory cards?
7 Nesreen thinks of a number, n. Write an expression for the number
Nesreen gets each time.
a She multiplies the number by 6.
b She divides the number by 5.
c She multiplies the number by 5, then adds 1.
d She multiplies the number by 7, then subtracts 2.
e She divides the number by 10, then adds 3.
f She multiplies the number by 3, then subtracts the result
from 25.
8 The cost of an adult meal in a fast-food restaurant is $a. The cost
of a child’s meal in the same restaurant is $c.
Write an expression for the total cost of the meals for these groups.
a one adult and one child
b one adult and three children
c four adults and one child
d four adults and five children

22
 2.1 Constructing expressions

9 Match each description (a to f ) to the correct expression (i to vii).

Description Expression
a Multiply x by 5 and subtract from 4. i 4x + 5
b Multiply x by 4 and add 5. ii 4x − 5
c Multiply x by 5 and subtract 4. iii 4 − 5x
d Multiply x by 5 and add 4. iv 5 − 4x
e Multiply x by 4 and subtract 5. v 5x − 4
f Multiply x by 4 and subtract from 5. vi 5 − 5x
vii 5x + 4

Marcus writes this description for the expression that did not have
a match:

My x y 5 n t 5.

Is Marcus correct? Explain your answer.

10 Write an expression for each of these situations.
You can choose your own letters, but make sure you write what
your letters represent.
a The total cost of seven drinks and six bags of potato chips.
b The total value of three rings is doubled.

Challenge
11 Write an expression for each of these descriptions.
a k more than g b h less than t
c y more than eight times x d three times a multiplied by b
12 Write a description for each of these expressions. Tip
a v + 7u b 8w − d
Remember the correct
c 5x + 3y d 7pq
order of operations.
Multiplication comes
before addition and
subtraction.

23
2 Expressions, formulae and equations

13 Kai has two pieces of wood. The lengths of the pieces of wood are shown
in the diagram.

8a + 15 2b – 3c

Write an expression for:

a the total length of the pieces of wood
b the difference in the lengths of the pieces of wood.
14 p and q are whole numbers, such that p + q = −2 and pq = −8. Also p > q.
a Sadie thinks that p = −12 and q = 10. Explain why Sadie is wrong.
b Work out the values of p and q.

2.2 Using expressions and formulae

An expression is a statement that contains letters and sometimes
numbers but has no = sign.
Key words

For example: p x+2 n−3 4m formula

substitute
You can substitute numbers into an expression to work out the value of
the expression.
For example, the value of x + 2 when x = 5 is 5 + 2 = 7. Tip
A formula is a statement that contains letters and sometimes numbers Substitute the x
and has an = sign. for the number
For example: A = 2p y=x−2 v = 5n − 3 R=m+k 5 and then work
out 5 + 2.

Exercise 2.2
Focus
1 For each of these statements, write the letter E if it is an expression
or write the letter F if it is a formula. The first two have been done
for you.
a 8h E b v = 9u F c 9u + 3
d m=4+n e G = 2x + y f b−c Tip
In part a,
2 Work out the value of x + 6 when:
x+6=1+6=
a x=1 b x=2 c x=3 d x=4

24
 2.2 Using expressions and formulae

3 Work out the value of n − 1 when:

Tip
a n=5 b n=6 c n=7 d n=8
In part a,
4 Work out the value of the expression in each rectangle and match
it to its correct answer in the oval. The first one has been done for n−1=5−1=
you: A and iii.

y+2 y–2 4+y 10 – y y+3

when y = 3 when y = 10 when y = 2 when y = 1 when y = 0
A B C D E

8 6 5 3 9
i ii iii iv v

5 Write down ‘True’ or ‘False’ for each of these statements.

If a statement is false, work out the correct value of the expression.
The first one has been done for you.
a The value of 2m when m = 5 is 7. False; when m = 5, 2m = 10.
Tips
b The value of 3m when m = 8 is 24.
c The value of 9p when p = 2 is 11. 2m means 2 × m,
w so 2 × 5 = 10.
d The value of when w = 6 is 3.
2 w
means w ÷ 2.
x 2
e The value of when x = 12 is 6.
3

Practice
6 Work out the value of each expression.
a a + 10 when a = 6 b b − 3 when b = 120
c c + z when c = 3 and z = 17 d d − y when d = 40 and y = 15
f
e 3e when e = 20 f when f = 35
5
g g + 2x when g = 1 and x = 6 h h − 4w when h = 17 and w = 2
j
i 2i + 3v when i = 3 and v = 2 j + u when j = 30 and u = 3
2
24 p+q
k − 3 when k = 8 l when p = 11 and q = 22
k 3

25
2 Expressions, formulae and equations

7 Jana uses this formula to work out how much money her friends
will collect from their sponsored walk.

My d =  d (m) × d  ($ r m)

How much money do the following friends collect?

a Miriam walks 5 kilometres at a sponsored rate of
$16 per kilometre.
b Yara walks 8 kilometres at a sponsored rate of
$18 per kilometre.
8 a Write a formula for the number of hours in any number of
days, using:
i words ii letters
b Use your formula in part a ii to work out the number of hours
in four days.
9 a Use the formula A = bh to work out A when: Tip
i b = 4 and h = 5 ii b = 3 and h = 12
bh means b × h.
b Work out the value of b when A = 52 and h = 4.
10 a Write a formula for the number of hours for any number of
minutes, in:
i words ii letters
b Use your formula in part a ii to work out the number of hours
in 360 minutes.
11 Hiroto uses this formula to work out the times it should take him
to travel from his house to any of his friends’ houses. Tip
D
T= , where: T is the time, in hours D means D ÷ S.
S S
D is the distance, in kilometres
S is the average speed, in kilometres per hour.
How long does it take Hiroto to travel from his house to:
a Souta’s house, which is 60 kilometres away, at an average
speed of 20 kilometres per hour?
b Hina’s house, which is 140 kilometres away, at an average
speed of 40 kilometres per hour?

26
 2.2 Using expressions and formulae

Challenge
12 The weight of an object is calculated using the formula W = mg, where:
W is the weight, in newtons (N)
m is the mass, in kg
g is the acceleration due to gravity, in m/s2
On Earth g = 10 m/s2, and on the Moon g = 2 m/s2.
The mass of a man is 75 kg and the mass of a lunar landing module is
10 344 kg.
a Work out the weight of the:
i man on Earth ii lunar landing module on Earth.
b Work out the weight of the:
i man on the Moon ii lunar landing module on the Moon.
13 What value of x can you substitute into each of these expressions
to give you the same answer?
x + 12 4x 6x − 8
14 Kwame uses the formula F = ma, where:
F is the force, in newtons (N)
m is the mass, in kg
a is the acceleration, in m/s2
He works out that F = 75 N when m = 25 kg.
What value of a did he use? Explain how you worked out your answer.
15 This is part of Kali’s homework. She has spilt tea on some of her work.

Qn:
U  a M =
o k t   f M n:
i P = 51 d h = 17 i P = 65 d h = 13
Sn:
i M= =3 i M = =5

a What is the formula that Kali uses?

b Work out the value of M when P = 56 and h = 4.

27
2 Expressions, formulae and equations

16 A cookery book shows how long it takes to cook a piece of meat.

Electric oven T = 70W Where:

T is the time, in minutes
Microwave oven T = 28W W is the weight of the
piece of meat, in kg.
a How much longer will it take to cook a 2 kg piece of meat in
an electric oven than in a microwave oven?
b A piece of meat takes 1 hour and 52 minutes to cook in a
microwave oven. How long would this same piece of meat take
to cook in an electric oven?

2.3 Collecting like terms Key words

collecting like
Like terms are terms that terms
contain the same letter. like terms
The letter in an expression represents an unknown number but, if you simplify
find it easier, you can think of the letter as an object. term
You simplify an expression by collecting like terms.
Example: a + a = 2a Tip
2b + 3b = 5b
2a and 3a are like
terms. 2a and 3b
are not like terms.
Exercise 2.3 Think of a as an
apple, so
Focus
1 Match the expression in each rectangle to its correct simplified Think of b as a
expression given in the oval. banana, so
The first one has been done for you: A and iii.

a + 4a a+a 3a + a a+a+a 5a + 4a 2a + 2a + 2a

A B C D E F
9a 3a 5a 6a 2a 4a Tip
i ii iii iv v vi Remember that a
means 1a.

28
 2.3 Collecting like terms

2 Look at these statements. Three of the statements are true and

three of the statements are false.
Write ‘true’ or ‘false’ for each statement. If the statement is false,
write the correct statement.
a b + 2b = 3b b 4d + 2d = 5d
c 6f + 4f = 11f d c + c + c = 3c
e h + 3h + 5h = 8h f 7v + 2v + v = 10v
3 Each of these expressions simplifies to 3s or 5s.
For each rectangle A to E, write down whether it simplifies to:
Tip
i 3s or ii 5s.
The first one has been done for you: A and ii. Think of s as a
strawberry. For
9s – 4s 5s – 2s 8s – 5s 6s – s 10s – 5s example, for A,
you start with
A B C D E nine, you eat four,
so you have five
4 Look at these statements. Three of the statements are true and strawberries left.
three of the statements are false.
Write ‘true’ or ‘false’ for each statement. If the statement is false,
write the correct statement.
a 7b − 2b = 3b b 4d − 2d = 2d
c 6f − f = 6 d 8c − 2c − 3c = 3c
e 9h − h − h = 7h f 10v − 6v − v = 4v
5 Look at these expressions. Some of the expressions can be
simplified and some cannot be simplified. Copy the expressions. Tip
If the expression can be simplified, write a tick and work out the You can simplify
simplified answer. only when
If the expression cannot be simplified, write a cross. the letters are
For example: 4m + 2m ✓ 6m the same.
2a + 3b ✗
a 5p + p b 6p + 2 c 5n − 2w d 8u − u

Practice
6 Pedro has striped, checked and spotted bricks.
The length of a striped brick is x.
The length of a checked brick is y.
x y z
The length of a spotted brick is z.

29
2 Expressions, formulae and equations

Work out the total length of each arrangement of bricks. Give each
answer in its simplest form.
a b
? ?

c d
? ?

e f
? ?

7 Simplify each expression.

a a+a+a+a b 4b + 3b c 4c + 7c
d 2d + 3d + 4d e 6e + 6e + e f 10f + f + 4f
g 9g − 3g h 4h2 −3h2 i 9i − i
j 8j + 2j − 4j k k + 6k − 3k l 12y3 − 4y3 − 7y3
8 In an algebraic pyramid, you find the expression in each block by adding
the expressions in the two blocks below it.
Copy and complete these pyramids.
a b
15x
10x 7x
x 7x 3x 4x

9 Simplify these expressions by collecting like terms.

a 3x + 4x + 5y b 5z + 5z + 5a + a
c 3a + 4b + 4a + 5b d 4x + 5 + 3x + 2
e d+1+d+1 f 5f − 3f + 12g − 3g
g 45 − 15 + 12w − w h 7x + 5y − 3x + y
i 8a + 6b − 4a − 5b j 4w + 3x + 7y − 2w − 3x + 13y
k 200a + 20g + 100 − 15g − 70
10 Write each expression in its simplest form.
a 4ab + 2ab + 3xy + 5xy b 3rd + 3rd + 5th + 6th
c 5tv + 6tv + 9jk − 5kj d 8ej + 7yh − 3je − 4hy
e 5v + 15rv − 2v + vr f 7un − 4nu + 11ef − 11fe

30
 2.3 Collecting like terms

Challenge
11 This is part of Maddi’s homework.

Qn
W  e n r t m.
a 2x + 8 + 7x − 4 b 5g + 4t − t + 2gr
Sn
a 2x + 8 = 10x, 7x − 4 = 3x, 10x + 3x = 13x
b 5g + 4t − t + 2gr = 5g + 4 + 2gr

Maddi has made several mistakes. Explain the mistakes Maddi has made.
12 Copy and complete this algebraic pyramid.
Remember, you find the expression in each block by adding the
expressions in the two blocks below it.
17a + 11b
8a + 6b
5a + 2b
2a + b

13 Simplify these expressions. Write your answers in their simplest form.

3a a b 3b c
a − b + c 3c +
4 2 5 10 7
14 In this diagram, the expressions in each rectangle simplify to the
expression in the circle. Tip
1 Remember:
x × y = xy, so
4 3
2x × y = 2xy and
4x × 3y = 12xy.
2 8ab 2

3 4

a Copy and complete the diagram in two different ways.

b Is it possible to say how many ways there are to complete the
diagram? Explain your answer.

31
2 Expressions, formulae and equations

15 In a magic square, the rows, columns and diagonals all add up to

the same number. Copy the magic squares in parts a and b.
a Write the numbers 1 to 9 in this magic square, so that all the
rows, columns and diagonals add up to 15.
You can use each number only once.
Three numbers have been written in the magic square for you.

b Write the algebraic expressions from the cloud in the magic

square, so that all the rows, columns and diagonals add up
to 3b.

a+b

b–c
b–a – c
a+b – c b
b+c
b–a b+c – a
a+b+c

2.4 Expanding brackets Key words

brackets
You can use a box method to multiply numbers together, like this: expand
4 × 16 = 4 × (10 + 6)

× 10 6 Tips
4 40 24 You can write
4 × (10 + 6) as
4 × 16 = 40 + 24 = 64 4(10 + 6).
You use the
table to expand
the brackets
4(10 + 6) to get
(4 × 10) + (4 × 6).

32
 2.4 Expanding brackets

Exercise 2.4
Focus
1 Copy and complete the boxes to work out the answers.
a 5 × 13 b 2 × 38
× 10 3 × 30 8
5 2
5 × 13 = + = 2 × 38 = + =
c 7 × 21 d 4 × 17
× 20 1 × 10 7
7 4
7 × 21 = + = 4 × 17 = + =
2 Simplify these expressions. Tip
a 3×x b 4×p c 9×f d 5×m 3 × x can be
3 Copy and complete the boxes to simplify these expressions. written simply
The first one has been done for you. as 3x.
a 2(x + 3) b 3(x + 4)
× x 3 × x 4
2 2x 6 3
2(x + 3) = 2x + 6 3(x + 4) = +
c 5(m + 1) d 4(n + 2)
× m 1 × n 2
5 4
5(m + 1) = + 4(n + 2) = +
4 Copy and complete the boxes to simplify these expressions. The
first one has been done for you.
a 3(x − 2) b 5(x − 6)
× x −2 × x −6
3 3x −6 5
3(x − 2) = 3x − 6 5(x − 6) = −

33
2 Expressions, formulae and equations

c 2(y − 4) d 6(k − 3)
× y −4 × k −3
2 6
2(y − 4) = − 6 (k − 3) = −

Practice
5 Expand the brackets.
a 3(a + 2) b 5(b + 3) c 3(c + 2) d 5(d − 1)
e 4(e − 9) f 3( f − 8) g 4(2 + f ) h 8(7 + z)
i 9(3 + y) j 4(4 − x) k 7(1 − w) l 7(2 − v)
6 Multiply out the brackets.
a 5(2p + 1) b 7(3q + 2) c 9(2r + 3)
d 11(3s − 4a + 7) e 2(2t − 5) f 4(5u − 1)
g 6(1 + 2v) h 8(6 + 4w − 3g) i 10(6 + 7x)
j 5(3 − 5x) k 5(4 − 3x) l 5(5k − 8x − 6h)
7 This is part of Paul’s homework. Paul has made a mistake in
every solution.

Qn
My t  .
a 5(a + 3) b 3(4b − 5) c 4(3 − c)
Sn
a 5(a + 3) = 5a + 3
b 3(4b − 5) = 12b − 8
c 4(3 − c) = 12 − 4c = 8c

Explain the mistakes Paul has made.

Tip
8 Which one of these expressions is the odd one out?
Explain your answer. The ‘odd one
out’ means the
2(9x + 12) 2(10x + 8) 6(4 + 3x) 3(8 + 6x) 1(18x + 24) expression that is
different from all
of the others.

34
 2.5 Constructing and solving equations

Challenge
9 The diagram shows a rectangle.
2x – 3y cm
The width of the rectangle is 2x − 3y cm.
The length of the rectangle is 12 cm. 12 cm
Write an expression, in its simplest form, for the:
a area of the rectangle b perimeter of the rectangle.
10 Expand and simplify these expressions.
a 3(x + 2) + 4x b 4(9 + x) − 24
c 5(2x − 2) + x + 17 d 6(3x − 4) −8x + 4
e 4(x + 4) + 7(x + 1) f 8(5 + 2x) + 3(x − 6) Tip
11 Show that 4(2x + 7) + 3(6x − 5) ≡ 13(2x + 1).
≡ means ‘is
12 Work out the missing numbers in these expansions. equivalent to’ or
a 9(3x + 2 ) = 3 x+ ( )
b 5(8 − 6 z ) = 10 ( − z ) ‘is the same as’.
13 Work out the missing numbers in these expansions.
All the numbers are in the cloud. Only use each number once.
2 3 4 6
a ( 2x + ) = 8x + b 5( x− )= x − 35
7 8 9 14
c (6 y − 10 ) = y − 80 d 7( y+ )= y + 42 15 36 48

2.5 Constructing and solving equations

When you solve an equation, you find the value of the unknown letter.
Key words
You can use a flow chart like this to solve an equation using
inverse operations. inverse operation
Solve: x + 5 = 12 x +55 12 solve
So x=7 7 −55 12

Tip
Exercise 2.5 Reverse the flow
chart to work out
Focus the value of x.

1 Write down the missing numbers.

a +4=6 b +1=6 c + 2 = 10
d 8− =5 e 9− =2 f 17 − = 10

35
2 Expressions, formulae and equations

2 Copy and complete these flow charts to work out the value of x.

a x+3=7 x +3 7 b x +1 = 9 x +1 9

x= −3 7 x= −1 9

c x + 6 = 11 x +6 11 d x + 2 = 13 x +2 13

x= − 11 x= 13

e x + 4 = 12 x +4 12 f x + 9 = 15 x

x= x=
3 Copy and complete these flow charts to work out the value of x.

a x−1=5 x −1 5 b x−3=8 x −3 8

x= +1 5 x= +3 8

c x−2=9 x −2 9 d x − 5 = 12 x −5 12

x= + 9 x= 12

e x − 10 = 8 x − 10 8 f x−4=5 x

x= x= 12
4 Copy and complete these flow charts to work out the value of y.

a 2y = 6 y ×2 6 b 4y = 8 y ×4 8

y= ÷2 6 y= ÷4 8

Practice
5 Solve each of these equations. Check your answers by substituting your answer back
into the original equation.
a x+2=6 b x+6=9 c 4 + x = 11 d 15 + x = 21
e x − 5 = 10 f x−4=6 g x − 15 = 12 h 5x = 20
i 3x = 30 j 4x = 28
6 Solve each of these equations. Check your answers by substituting your answer back
into the original equation.
a 14 = x + 3 b 9=x+5 c 12 = x − 6
d 20 = x − 5 e 14 = 2x f 50 = 10x

36
 2.5 Constructing and solving equations

7 Write an equation for each of these statements. Solve each equation

to find the value of the unknown number.
a b

I think of a number I think of a number

and then add 5. My and then subtract
answer is 21. What 5. My answer is 21.
is the number I first What is the number I
thought of? first thought of?

8 Write an equation for each of these statements. Solve each equation

to find the value of the unknown number.
a I think of a number and add 14. The answer is 20.
b I think of a number and subtract 17. The answer is 20.
c I think of a number and multiply it by 5. The answer is 20.
9 Solve each of these equations. Check your answers by substituting
your answer back into the original equation.
a 2a + 4 = 18 b 5a − 2 = 18
c 30 = 7b + 9 d 18 = 6b −12

Challenge
10 This is part of Sofia’s homework.

Qn:
T gm  a gt g d o
o r g, 3x d 2x.
3x
Wk t  ize f  g n  gm. 2x

Sn:
En 3x + 2x = 90°
Sy 5x = 90°
Se x = 90 = 18°
5
A 3x g  3 × 18 = 54°.
2x g  2 × 18 = 36°.
Ck 54 + 36 = 90° ✓

37
2 Expressions, formulae and equations

For each of these diagrams:

i Write an equation involving the angles.
ii Simplify your equation by collecting like terms.
iii Solve your equation to find the value of x.
iv Work out the sizes of the angles in the diagram.
v Check that your answers are correct by substituting your
answer back into the original equation.
Tip
a b
What do the
6x 4x angles on a
5x
4x straight line and
in a triangle add
c d up to?
5x

3x 4x 2x 3x 4x

11 Solve each of these equations and check your answers.

a x + 12 = −6 b y − 9 = −4
c 3z + 6 = −30 d 4w − 3 = −27
12 Zara solves these equations:
2a − 11 = −77 4 = b + 16 I think that
a×b < c+d
6c + 7 = 25 −12 = 3d + 9
Is Zara correct? Show all your working and
explain your answer.
13 Use the formula w = 2x + y − 3z to work out:
a w when x = 8, y = −3 and z = 7
b x when w = 15, y = 9 and z = −4
c y when w = −10, x = 6 and z = 2
d z when w = 20, x = 15 and y = 8

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 2.6 Inequalities

2.6 Inequalities
Remember: < means ‘is less than’
Key words
> means ‘is greater than’.
inequality
integer
Exercise 2.6
Focus
1 Write ‘true’ or ‘false’ for each of these statements. The first one has
been done for you.
a x < 9 means ‘x is less than 9’. True
b x > 3 means ‘x is less than 3’.
c x < 2 means ‘x is greater than 2’.
d x > 7 means ‘x is greater than 7’.
2 Match each inequality (A to D) with its correct meaning (i to iv).
The first one has been done for you: A and ii.
A x>4 i x is less than 12.
B x<4 ii x is greater than 4.
C x > 12 iii x is less than 4.
D x < 12 iv x is greater than 12.

3 Write these statements as inequalities. The first one has been done for you.
a x is greater than 2.   x > 2 b y is greater than 5.
c m is less than 15. d b is less than 7.
4 Match each inequality (A to D) with its correct number line
Tip
(i to iv). The first one has been done for you: A and iv.
Remember: You
A x > −5 i
use an open circle
3 4 5 6 7 (o) for the < and
B x<5 ii > inequalities.
–9 –8 –7 –6 –5 –4
C x < −5 iii
3 4 5 6 7
D x>5 iv
–6 –5 –4 –3 –2 –1

39
2 Expressions, formulae and equations

5 a Copy this number line.

12 13 14 15 16 17
Show the inequality y < 15 on the number line.

b Copy this number line. 12 13 14 15 16 17

Show the inequality y > 15 on the number line.

c Write down the inequality shown on

–4 –3 –2 –1 0 1
this number line. Use the letter x.

d Write down the inequality shown on

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0
this number line. Use the letter x.

Practice
6 Copy each number line and show each inequality on the number line.
a x>8 7 8 9 10 11 b x<6 3 4 5 6 7

c x < −3 –5 –4 –3 –2 –1 d x>0 –1 0 1 2 3

7 Write down the inequality shown on these number lines. Use the letter x.

a b
12 13 14 15 16 30 31 32 33 34

c d
–9 –8 –7 –6 –5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0
8 Write down if A, B or C is the correct answer to each of the following.
a For the inequality h > 5, the smallest integer that h could be is:
A 4 B 5 C 6
b For the inequality j > −7, the smallest integer that j could be is:
A −8 B −7 C −6
c For the inequality k < 12, the largest integer that k could be is:
A 11 B 12 C 13
d For the inequality m < −1, the largest integer that m could be is:
A −3 B −2 C −1

40
 2.6 Inequalities

9 Zara looks at the inequality z < −5.

A list of the integer

values that z could be is:
-4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, …

Is Zara correct? Explain your answer.

10 For each of these inequalities, write down:
i the smallest integer that p could be
ii a list of the integer values that p could be.
a p>8 b p > −3 c p > 4.7
11 For each of these inequalities, write down:
i the largest integer that q could be
ii a list of the integer values that q could be.
a q < −1 b q < 16 c q < 3.9

Challenge
12 Copy each number line and show each inequality on the number line.
a x > 1.5 b x < 3.75
0 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5

c y > 4.6 d y < 8.25

3 4 5 6 5 6 7 8 9

13 Write down the inequality shown on these number lines. Use the letter y.

a b
–2 –1 0 1 2 10 11 12 13

c d
2 3 4 5 25 26 27 28 29

41
2 Expressions, formulae and equations

14 Arun looks at this number line:

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1

The number line

shows the inequality
x > -4.5.

Explain the mistake that Arun has made.

15 Write down the inequality shown on these number lines. Use the letter w.

a b
–8 –7 –6 –5 –4 –3 –13 –12 –11 –10
16 Copy each number line and show each inequality on the number line.
a y < −1.5 b y > −4.4
–3 –2 –1 0 1 –5 –4 –3 –2

42