Expressions using Letter-Numbers MCQs for UPSC Prelims

105 practice questions covering Expressions using Letter-Numbers, organised into 3 topics. 105 questions include a written explanation. Pick a topic below, or try the samples first.

Practice by topic

Sample questions

Q1
easy

Simplify $10y-4y$.

  1. A $6y$
  2. B $40y$
  3. C $6$
  4. D $14y$
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - $6y$

Taking four lots of $y$ away from ten lots leaves six lots, which is $6y$. Adding instead gives $14y$, dropping the letter gives $6$, and $40y$ multiplies the coefficients.

Q2
hard

A shop sells pens at ₹$p$ each and takes a single discount of ₹$10$ off the whole bill. Which rule gives the amount paid for $8$ pens?

  1. A $p-80$
  2. B $8p-10$
  3. C $8p+10$
  4. D $8(p-10)$
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B - $8p-10$

Eight pens cost $8p$, and one discount of ₹$10$ comes off that total, giving $8p-10$. The expression $8(p-10)$ takes ₹$10$ off every pen, $8p+10$ adds the discount instead, and $p-80$ multiplies the wrong number.

Q3
medium

Find the value of $5xy$ when $x=2$ and $y=3$.

  1. A $30$
  2. B $523$
  3. C $10$
  4. D $15$
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - $30$

The expression means $5\times x\times y$, so substituting gives $5\times 2\times 3=30$. The value $10$ multiplies by $x$ alone, $15$ multiplies by $y$ alone, and $523$ simply joins the digits together.

Q4
medium

How is the expression $\frac{t}{4}$ read in words?

  1. A $t$ divided by four
  2. B Four less than $t$
  3. C Four divided by $t$
  4. D $t$ multiplied by four
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - $t$ divided by four

In a fraction the top number is divided by the bottom one, so $\frac{t}{4}$ is $t$ divided by four. Four divided by $t$ would be $\frac{4}{t}$, multiplying would give $4t$, and four less would be $t-4$.

Q5
medium

Simplify $10-(x+4)$.

  1. A $6+x$
  2. B $14-x$
  3. C $10-x+4$
  4. D $6-x$
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D - $6-x$

The minus sign in front of the bracket applies to both terms inside, so $10-(x+4)=10-x-4=6-x$. Ignoring the sign on the $4$ gives $14-x$ or $10-x+4$, and $6+x$ keeps the wrong sign on $x$.

Q6
easy

What is the general term of the pattern $2, 4, 6, 8, \ldots$?

  1. A $2n$
  2. B $2n+2$
  3. C $2n-2$
  4. D $n+2$
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - $2n$

Substituting $n=1,2,3$ into $2n$ gives $2$, $4$ and $6$, matching the pattern. The rule $n+2$ starts at $3$, $2n+2$ starts at $4$, and $2n-2$ starts at $0$.

Practice the full Expressions using Letter-Numbers bank free

All 105 questions with timed practice, instant scoring, and explanations. Free forever.

Other subjects

Environment & Ecology 1200 Economy 1075 Logical Reasoning 1013 Quantitative Aptitude 916 Polity & Governance 897 Geography 885 Science & Technology 830 Ancient & Medieval History 737 Art & Culture 711 Modern History 589 International Relations 582 Data Interpretation 515 Reading Comprehension 408 Number Play 317 Fractions 142 A Peek Beyond the Point 125 Light: Shadows and Reflections 120 Quadrilaterals 120 Changes Around Us: Physical and Chemical 120 Proportional Reasoning-1 120 Measurement of Length and Motion 116 Exploring Substances: Acidic, Basic, and Neutral 116 Prime Time 116 Light: Mirrors and Lenses 116 Mindful Eating: A Path to a Healthy Body 115 Exploring Forces 115 Lines and Angles 115 Measurement of Time and Motion 115 Nature's Treasures 115 Parallel and Intersecting Lines 115 Pressure, Winds, Storms, and Cyclones 115 Power Play 114 The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye 112 Working with Fractions 110 Diversity in the Living World 110 A Journey through States of Water 110 A Tale of Three Intersecting Lines 110 The Amazing World of Solutes, Solvents, and Solutions 110 Electricity: Circuits and their Components 110 How Nature Works in Harmony 110 Large Numbers Around Us 110 Nature of Matter: Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures 110 The World of Metals and Non-metals 110 Electricity: Magnetic and Heating Effects 110 We Distribute, Yet Things Multiply 110 A Square and A Cube 109 The Other Side of Zero 106 Heat Transfer in Nature 105 Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics 105 Health: The Ultimate Treasure 105 Methods of Separation in Everyday Life 105 Exploring Magnets 105 Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet 105 Beyond Earth 105 Life Processes in Animals 105 Life Processes in Plants 105 Patterns in Mathematics 103 Perimeter and Area 100 Particulate Nature of Matter 100 Materials Around Us 100 A Story of Numbers 100 Earth, Moon, and the Sun 100