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Basic Algebra - Free MCQ Practice Test with solutions, GMAT


MCQ Practice Test & Solutions: Test: Basic Algebra (10 Questions)

You can prepare effectively for GMAT 30 Days Preparation for GMAT with this dedicated MCQ Practice Test (available with solutions) on the important topic of "Test: Basic Algebra". These 10 questions have been designed by the experts with the latest curriculum of GMAT 2026, to help you master the concept.

Test Highlights:

  • - Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
  • - Duration: 20 minutes
  • - Number of Questions: 10

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Test: Basic Algebra - Question 1
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A poultry farm has only chickens and pigs. When the manager of the poultry counted the heads of the stock in the farm, the number totaled up to 200. However, when the number of legs was counted, the number totaled up to 540. How many more chickens were there in the farm? Note: In the farm, each pig had 4 legs and each chicken had 2 legs.

Detailed Solution: Question 1

  • Step 1 : Assign Variables and Frame Equations
  • Let the number of chickens in the farm be 'x'.
  • Let the number of pigs in the farm be 'y'.
  • Each pig or each chicken has one head.
  • Therefore, number of heads will be the same as the sum of the chickens and pigs in the farm.
  • The count of the heads in the farm is 200. So, the sum of the number of chickens and pigs is 200.
  • So, x + y = 200 .... (1)
  • Each chicken has 2 legs and each pig has 4 legs
  • 'x' chickens will therefore, have 2x legs and 'y' pigs will have 4y legs.
  • The count of the legs in the farm is 540. So, the sum of the number of legs of chickens and the number of legs of pigs is 540.
  • Therefore, 2x + 4y = 540 .... (2)
  • Step 2 of solving this Linear Equations Question: Solve the system of linear equations
  • Multiply equation (1) by 2. We get 2x + 2y = 400 .... (3)
  • Subtract equation (3) from equation (2).
  • Substitute 'y' as 70 in equation (1). 
  • 70 + y = 200. So, x = 130
  • 'x' is the number of chickens in the farm. 'y' is the number of pigs in the farm. So, the farm has 130 chickens and 70 pigs.
  • Note:The question is "How many more chickens were there in the farm?"
  • The farm has 130 chickens and 70 pigs. So, the farm has (130 - 70) = 60 more chickens

Test: Basic Algebra - Question 2
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Three years back, a father was 24 years older than his son. At present the father is 5 times as old as the son. How old will the son be three years from now?

Detailed Solution: Question 2

  • Let the age of the son 3 years back be 'x' years.
  • Information 1: Three years back, a father was 24 years older than his son. 
  • Therefore, the age of the father 3 years back was (x + 24).
  • If the age of the son 3 years back was 'x' years, the present age of the son is x + 3.
  • Present age of father = x + 24 + 3
  • Information 2: The father is at present 5 times as old as the son.
  • i.e., (x + 24 + 3) = 5(x + 3)
  • Or x + 27 = 5x + 15
  • Or 4x = 12 or x = 3.
  • x was the age of the son 3 years back.
  • Therefore, the son was 3 years old 3 years back.
  • If the son was 3 years old, 3 years back, the son is 6 years old now.
  • Hence, he will be 9 years old three years from now.
  • Choice D is the correct answer.

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Test: Basic Algebra - Question 3
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For what values of 'k' will the pair of equations 3x + 4y = 12 and kx + 12y = 30 NOT have a unique solution?

Detailed Solution: Question 3

  • A system of linear equations ax + by + c = 0 and dx + ey + g = 0 will have a unique solution if the two lines represented by the equations ax + by + c = 0 and dx + ey + g = 0 intersect at a point.
    i.e., if the two lines are neither parallel nor coincident.
  • Essentially, the slopes of the two lines should be different.
  • What does that translate into?
  • ax + by + c = 0 and dx + ey + g = 0 will intersect at one point if their slopes are different.
  • Express both the equations in the standardized y = mx + c format, where 'm' is the slope of the line and 'c' is the y-intercept.
  • ax + by + c = 0 can be written as 
  • And dx + ey + g = 0 can be written as
  • Slope of the first line is -a/b and that of the second line is -d/e
  • For a unique solution, the slopes of the lines should be different.
  • Condition for the equations to NOT have a unique solution
  • The slopes should be equal
  • Apply the condition in the given equations to find k
  • In the question given above, a = 3, b = 4, d = k and e = 12.
  • Therefore,
  • Or 'k' should be equal to 9 for the system of linear equations to NOT have a unique solution.
  • When k = 9, the system of equations will represent a pair of parallel lines (their y-intercepts are different).
  • So, there will be NO solution to this system of linear equations in two variables.
  • Choice A is the correct answer.

Test: Basic Algebra - Question 4
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The basic one-way air fare for a child aged between 3 and 10 years costs half the regular fare for an adult plus a reservation charge that is the same on the child's ticket as on the adult's ticket. One reserved ticket for an adult costs $216 and the cost of a reserved ticket for an adult and a child (aged between 3 and 10) costs $327. What is the basic fare for the journey for an adult?

Detailed Solution: Question 4

  • Step 1 : Assign variables and frame equations
  • Let the basic fare for the child be $X.
  • Information 1: Basic one-way air fare of a child costs half the regular fare for an adult.
  • Therefore, the basic fare for an adult = 2(basic one-way airfare for a child) = $2X.
  • Information 2: Reservation charge is the same on the child's ticket as on the adult's ticket.
  • Let the reservation charge per ticket be $Y
  • A child's ticket will cost (Basic fare + Reservation charges) = X + Y
  • Hence, an adult ticket will cost (Basic fare + Reservation charges) = 2X + Y.
  • Information 3: One reserved ticket for an adult costs $216. So, 2X + Y = $216 .... (1)
  • Information 4: The cost of a reserved ticket for an adult and a child (aged between 3 and 10) is $327.
  • So, the ticket for an adult and a child will cost (2X + Y) + (X + Y) = 3X + 2Y = $327 .... (2)
  • Step 2 Solve the simultaneous equations and determine basic fare for an adult.
  • Multiply equation (1) by 2: 4X + 2Y = 432 .... (3)
  • Subtract equation (2) from equation (3):
  • The basic fare of an adult ticket = 2X = 2*105 = $210
  • Choice C is the correct answer.

Test: Basic Algebra - Question 5
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A children's gift store sells gift certificates in denominations of $3 and $5. The store sold 'm' $3 certificates and 'n' $5 certificates worth $93 on a Saturday afternoon. If 'm' and 'n' are natural numbers, how many different values can 'm' take?

Detailed Solution: Question 5

  • Step 1: Understand Key Data
  • The total value of all certificates sold = $93.
  • Certificates sold were in denominations of $3 and $5.
  • Both 'm' and 'n' are natural numbers.
  • Approach to solve this GMAT Algebra Word Problem
  • The value of all certificates sold, 93 is divisible by 3.
  • So, a maximum of 31 $3 certificates and no $5 certificates could have been sold.
  • However, the question states that both 'm' and 'n' are natural numbers.
  • Hence, at least 1 $5 certificate should have been sold.
  • Let us reduce the number of $3 certificates from the theoretical maximum count of 31 by say 'x' and correspondingly increase $5 certificates by 'y'.
  • Evidently, 3x = 5y because the value of $3 certificates reduced should be the same as the value of $5 certificates increased.
  • It means that x has to be a multiple of 5 and y has to be a multiple of 3.
  • Or $3 certificates reduce in steps of 5 certificates.
  • Step 2 of solving this GMAT Algebra Question: List down possible values for 'm' and 'n'
  • The following combinations are possible.
  • m = 26, n = 3
  • m = 21, n = 6
  • m = 16, n = 9
  • m = 11, n = 12
  • m = 6, n = 15
  • m = 1, n = 18
  • Hence, m can take 6 values.
  • Choice C is the correct answer.

Test: Basic Algebra - Question 6
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What is the highest integral value of 'k' for which the quadratic equation x2 - 6x + k = 0 will have two real and distinct roots?

Detailed Solution: Question 6

  • Step 1: Nature of Roots of Quadratic Equation Theory
  • D is called the Discriminant of a quadratic equation.
  • D = b2 - 4ac for quadratic equations of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0.
  • If D > 0, roots of such quadratic equations are Real and Distinct
  • If D = 0, roots of such quadratic equations are Real and Equal
  • If D < 0, roots of such quadratic equations are Imaginary. i.e., such quadratic equations will NOT have real roots.
  • Step 2:Compute maximum value of k that will make the discriminant of the quadratic equation positive
  • The given quadratic equation is x2 - 6x + k = 0.
  • In this equation, a = 1, b = -6 and c = k
  • The value of the discriminant, D = 62 - 4 * 1 * k
  • We have compute values of 'k' for which D > 0.
  • i.e., 36 – 4k > 0
  • Or 36 > 4k or k < 9.
  • If k < 9, the highest integer value that k can take is 8.
  • Choice D is the correct answer.

Test: Basic Algebra - Question 7
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 If one of the roots of the quadratic equation x2 + mx + 24 = 0 is 1.5, then what is the value of m?

Detailed Solution: Question 7

  • If 1.5 is a root of the quadratic equation, substituting x = 1.5 in the equation will satisfy the equation.
  • The given quadratic equation is x2 + mx + 24 = 0
  • Substitute x = 1.5 in the above equation because 1.5 is a root of the equation.
  • (1.5)2 + 1.5m + 24 = 0
  • 2.25 + 1.5m + 24 = 0
  • 1.5m = -26.25 Or 

Test: Basic Algebra - Question 8
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For what value of 'm' will the quadratic equation x2 - mx + 4 = 0 have real and equal roots?

Detailed Solution: Question 8

  • Step 1:Nature of Roots of Quadratic Equations Theory
  • D is the Discriminant in a quadratic equation.
  • D = b2 - 4ac for quadratic equations of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0.
  • If D > 0, roots are Real and Unique (Distinct and real roots).
  • If D = 0, roots are Real and Equal.
  • If D < 0, roots are Imaginary. The roots of such quadratic equations are NOT real.
  • The quadratic equation given in this question has real and equal roots. Therefore, its discriminant D = 0.
  • Step 2:Compute discriminant for the equation in terms of ‘m’ and find the value of ‘m’.
  • In the given equation x2 - mx + 4 = 0, a = 1, b = -m and c = 4.
  • Therefore, the discriminant b2 - 4ac = m2 - 4(4)(1) = m2 - 16.
  • The roots of the given equation are real and equal. 
  • Therefore, m2 - 16 = 0 or m2 = 16 or m = +4 or m = -4.
  • Choice (D) is the answer to this quadratic equations question.

Test: Basic Algebra - Question 9
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y = x2 + bx + 256 cuts the x axis at (h, 0) and (k, 0). If h and k are integers, what is the least value of b?

Detailed Solution: Question 9

  • Step 1:Understand the equation and the points (h, 0) and (k, 0)
  • The given equation is a quadratic equation. A quadratic equation when plotted on a graph sheet (x - y plane) will result in a parabola.
  • The roots of the quadratic equation are computed by equating the quadratic expression to 0. i.e., the roots are the values that 'x' take when y = 0
  • So, the roots of the quadratic equation are the points where the parabola cuts the x-axis.
  • The question mentions that the curve described by the equation cuts the x-axis at (h, 0) and (k, 0). So, h and k are the roots of the quadratic equation.
  • For quadratic equations of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0, the sum of the roots = -b/a
  • The sum of the roots of this equation is 
  • Note : Higher the value of 'b', i.e., higher the sum of the roots of this quadratic equation, lower the value of b.
  • For quadratic equations of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0, the product of roots = c/a
  • Therefore, the product of the roots of this equation = 256/1 = 256
  • i.e., h * k = 256 h and k are both integers.
  • So, h and k are both integral factors of 256.
  • Step 2 : List possible values of h and k and find the least value of ‘b’
  • This is the step in which number properties kicks in. 256 can be expressed as product of two numbers in the following ways:
  • 1 x 256
  • 2 x 128
  • 4 x 64
  • 8 x 32
  • 16 x 16
  • The sum of the roots is maximum when the roots are 1 and 256 and the maximum sum is 1 + 256 = 257.
  • ∴ The least value possible for b is -257.
  • Choice D is the correct answer.

Test: Basic Algebra - Question 10
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The cost C and revenue R of a product depend on the number of units x produced. The equations are:

  • C=5000+20x
  • R=50x

Find the number of units x that must be produced for the company to break even (i.e., where revenue equals cost).

Detailed Solution: Question 10

  • To find the break-even point, set C=R
  • 5000+20x=50x
  • Rearrange terms:
  • 5000=30x
  • hence, x = 166.66 = 167 units.

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This test contains 10 MCQs on Basic Algebra with detailed solutions for each question. It is part of the 30 Days Preparation for GMAT course on EduRev, designed to align with the current GMAT syllabus. Each solution explains not just the correct answer but also gives you an understanding of the topic — not just to attempt the question but also help you prepare for the exam with practice.

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