ALGEBRA DIAGNOSTIC TEST

Instructions:
This paper consists of 24 items that evaluate your understanding of algebra concepts that you
have studied in your mathematics course. Circle one of the choices (A, B, C or D) to indicate
what you consider to be the most appropriate answer.

1 If a + b = 7, then a + b + c =
A. 8
B. 12
C. 7 + b
D. 7 + c

2 What must be done to each number in Column A to get the number in Column B?

Column Column
A B
6 4
12 8
15 10
24 16

A. Subtract 3 from the number in Column A and add 1 to the answer

B. Subtract 2 from the number in Column A
C. Add 2 to the number in Column A
D. Divide the number in Column A by 3 and multiply the answer by 2

3 x = y + 2, what happens to ‘x if 5 is added to ′ y?

A. x = y +7
B. x = 5y + 2
C. x is decreased by 3
D. x is increased by 3
4 Here is the beginning of pattern of tiles
Figure 1 figure 2 figure 3
If this pattern continues, how many tiles will be in Figure 6?
A. 12
B. 15
C. 18
D. 21

5 Plums cost 8 cents each and bananas cost 5 cents each. If ‘p’ stands for the number of
plums bought and ‘b’ stands for the number of bananas bought, what does 8p + 5b stand for?
A. 8 times the cost of plums plus 5 times the cost of bananas
B. the cost of plums plus the cost of bananas
C. 8 plums and 5 bananas
D. 89 cents
6 Half a number, subtracted from four is fifteen. The equation best representing
This statement is
1
A. 4− 2
𝑥 = 15
1
B. 𝑥− 2
𝑥 = 15
1
C. 2
− 4 = 15
1
D. 2
𝑥 − 4 = 15

7 Sue has some trading cards. Pam has three times as many trading cards as Sue. They
have 36 trading cards in all. Which of these equations represents their trading card collection?
A. 3x = 36
B. x + 3 = 36
C. x + 3x = 36
D. 3x + 36 = x
8 N stands for the number of stamps that Clarita had. She gave 12 stamps to her sister and
then purchased 8 more at the post office. Which expression tells how many stamps Clarita
has now?
A. ( N - 12) + 8
B. ( N – 4 ) + 12
C. ( N + 8 ) -12
D. ( N – 8 ) + 12

9 For every RM15 that William spends at the grocery store, he receives three free store
discount coupons. If William spent RM90 on groceries last week, how many free coupons did
he receive?
A. 6
B. 75
C. 45
D. 18

10 When is a + b + c = a + z + c?
A. Always
B. Never
C. When b = z
D. None of these
11 In the expression a + 5, ‘a’ is stands for
A. 1
B. Any number
C. Apple
D. Nothing
12 5b + 4b =
A. 9 bananas
B. 5b + 4b
2
C. 9𝑏
D. 9𝑏
13 What can you say about ‘a’ if a + 5 = 4a?
5
A. 𝑎 = 3
B. 4a + 5
3
C. 𝑎 = 5
D. a = 0
14 What rule can be used to determine the number pattern below?
2, 5, 11, 23, 47, …………
A. N+3
B. 2N + 1
C. N-1
D. 3N – 1
15 What is ′k’ if k - 12 = 4?
A. -8
B. 3
C. 8
D. 16
16 Z represents the number of newspapers that Lee delivers each day. Which of the
following expressions represents the total number of newspapers that Lee delivers in 5 days if
on the fifth day he delivers an additional three newspapers?
A. 5 x Z + 3
B. (5 x Z) + 3
C. ( Z ÷ 5) + 3
D. 3 + ( 5 – Z)

17 If 5 = 9y , then y =
A. 5÷9
B. 9÷5
C. 5–9
D. 5×9
18 What is -3p × 2 ?
A. 6p
B. – 6p
C. 5p
D. -5p

19 What can be said about ‘k’ if k = j + m and k + j + m = 12

A. k=6
B. k=3
C. k = 12 + j + m
D. k = 12 – j + m
20 Find the value 3 + y × 2
A. 6y
B. 5 × y
 C. 2y + 3
D. None of these

21 Daryl earned RM75 mowing lawns. He wants to buy a bicycle costing RM163. How
much more money will Daryl have to earn in order to purchase the bicycle? Which number
sentence below can be used to solve this problem?
A. RM 163 + RM 75 =
B. – RM75 = RM163
C. RM 163 + = RM 75
D. RM 163 - = RM75

22 Another way to write 2 × ( a + b) would be

A. 2a + b
B. 2a + 2b
C. 2ab
D. None of these
23 Add 5 onto a + 2
A. a+7
B. 5a + 2
C. 7a
D. None of these

24 What rule can be used to fill in the blanks in the number pattern below?
T
UT

A. INPUT + OUTPUT
B. INPUT X 2
C. INPUT X INPUT
D. INPUT ÷ 2
 Algebra Diagnostic Test – Descriptors

ory escriptor question

Basic understanding of letters and their place 10, 11, 13, 23
in algebra

ulation of letters, symbols or variables 3, 15, 18

se of appropriate rules of manipulation to 1, 2, 20, 22

solve equations
s problems by identifying a predictable visual 4, 7, 17
or numerical pattern

ates words into algebraic expressions 5, 6, 16, 21

 Analyses and generalises number patterns 8, 14, 24
and states the general rule for the
relationship

s problems involving simple equations using 9, 12, 19

symbolic expressions or written phrases

Adapted from Blessing (2004)