About Algebraic Thinking — Class 6 IB

Introduce variables, write simple expressions, and evaluate expressions for given values. This topic is part of the IB Class 6 mathematics syllabus (chapter: Unit 5). On this page you can practice 60 questions across three difficulty levels — 20 easy, 20 medium, and 20 hard — each with a visual step-by-step solution, plus a timed 35-question mastery test with a live leaderboard. Worked examples and sample questions from the topic are below.

Algebraic Thinking — solved examples for Class 6 IB

Practice questions on Algebraic Thinking

1. Q1.easy

   What is the next number in the pattern: 2, 5, 8, 11, ___?

   1. A)13
   2. B)14
   3. C)15
   4. D)16
   Show answer

   Answer: 14

   Hint: Find the common difference between consecutive terms.

2. Q2.easy

   Write an expression for "a number $n$ increased by 7".

   1. A)$7n$
   2. B)$n - 7$
   3. C)$n + 7$
   4. D)$\frac{n}{7}$
   Show answer

   Answer: $n + 7$

   Hint: "Increased by" means addition.

3. Q3.easy

   Simplify: $3a + 2a$.

   1. A)$5a$
   2. B)$6a$
   3. C)$5a^2$
   4. D)$32a$
   Show answer

   Answer: $5a$

   Hint: Add the coefficients of the like terms.

4. Q4.medium

   Simplify: $4(x + 3)$.

   1. A)$4x + 3$
   2. B)$4x + 7$
   3. C)$4x + 12$
   4. D)$x + 12$
   Show answer

   Answer: $4x + 12$

   Hint: Use the distributive property: multiply 4 by each term inside the brackets.

5. Q5.medium

   If the perimeter of a square is $4s$, and the perimeter is 36 cm, find $s$.

   1. A)6 cm
   2. B)8 cm
   3. C)9 cm
   4. D)12 cm
   Show answer

   Answer: 9 cm

   Hint: Set up the equation 4s = 36 and solve.

6. Q6.medium

   Simplify: $3a + 2b - a + 4b$.

   1. A)$2a + 6b$
   2. B)$4a + 6b$
   3. C)$3a + 6b$
   4. D)$2a + 2b$
   Show answer

   Answer: $2a + 6b$

   Hint: Combine like terms: a terms and b terms separately.

7. Q7.hard

   The sum of three consecutive numbers is 54. Find the smallest number.

   1. A)15
   2. B)16
   3. C)17
   4. D)18
   Show answer

   Answer: 17

   Hint: Let the numbers be n, n+1, n+2. Their sum = 3n + 3 = 54.

8. Q8.hard

   Simplify: $3(2x + 4) - 2(x - 3)$.

   1. A)$4x + 6$
   2. B)$4x + 18$
   3. C)$8x + 6$
   4. D)$4x + 10$
   Show answer

   Answer: $4x + 18$

   Hint: Expand both brackets, then combine like terms.

9. Q9.hard

   Find the value of $\frac{3a + b}{2}$ when $a = 4$ and $b = 6$.

   1. A)7
   2. B)8
   3. C)9
   4. D)10
   Show answer

   Answer: 9

   Hint: Substitute a = 4, b = 6: (3×4 + 6)/2.

These are 9 of the 60 questions available for Algebraic Thinking. Start practicing above to unlock visual solutions, AI coaching, and the topic leaderboard — completely free.