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Writing an expression practice questions with answers

Foundation · Grade 2 · Non-calculator

A second set of writing an expression questions for GCSE Maths. They are different from the ones on the topic page, so work through both. Try each question, then open the answer to check your working.

More questions

Question 1 Easy

Write an expression for 7 more than n.

Show answer

Answer: n + 7

  1. 7 more than n means add 7 to n.
  2. Start with n, then add 7.
  • Method (1): 7 more than n means add 7 to n.
  • Accuracy (1): Answer n + 7

Question 2 Easy

Write an expression for 8 less than n.

Show answer

Answer: n − 8

  1. 8 less than n means take 8 away from n.
  2. Start with n, then subtract 8.
  • Method (1): 8 less than n means take 8 away from n.
  • Accuracy (1): Answer n − 8

Question 3 Medium

A number n is 11. Work out 3n + 4.

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Answer: 37

  1. Replace n with 11: 3n is 3 × 11 = 33.
  2. Add 4: 33 + 4 = 37.
  • Method (1): Replace n with 11: 3n is 3 × 11 = 33.
  • Accuracy (1): Answer 37

Question 4 Medium

Write an expression for 5 more than n.

Show answer

Answer: n + 5

  1. 5 more than n means add 5 to n.
  2. Start with n, then add 5.
  • Method (1): 5 more than n means add 5 to n.
  • Accuracy (1): Answer n + 5

Question 5 Hard

Tickets cost £3 each and there is a booking fee of £8. Write an expression for the total cost, in pounds, of n tickets.

Show answer

Answer: 3n + 8

  1. n tickets cost 3n pounds.
  2. The £8 fee is added once, after the tickets.
  • Method (1): n tickets cost 3n pounds.
  • Accuracy (1): Answer 3n + 8

Question 6 Hard

A number n is 16. Work out 4n + 2.

Show answer

Answer: 66

  1. Replace n with 16: 4n is 4 × 16 = 64.
  2. Add 2: 64 + 2 = 66.
  • Method (1): Replace n with 16: 4n is 4 × 16 = 64.
  • Accuracy (1): Answer 66

Exam-style question

A longer question with marks, in the style of a written paper. This is a Yumio practice question, not a past paper question.

Exam-style question 12 marks

A number n is 18. Work out 2n + 4.

Show answer

Answer: 40

  1. Replace n with 18: 2n is 2 × 18 = 36.
  2. Add 4: 36 + 4 = 40.
  3. The result is 40.
  • Method (1): Replace n with 18: 2n is 2 × 18 = 36.
  • Accuracy (1): Answer 40

Quick checks

Short one-step questions. Pick an option before you open the answer.

Check 1

Write an expression for 8 more than n.

  1. n + 8
  2. 8n
  3. n − 8
Show answer

n + 8 The result is n + 8.

Check 2

Write an expression for 2 less than n.

  1. n − 2
  2. 2 − n
  3. n + 2
Show answer

n − 2 The result is n − 2.

Check 3

Pens cost £4 each. Write an expression for the cost, in pounds, of n pens.

  1. 4n
  2. n + 4
  3. n ÷ 4
Show answer

4n The result is 4n.

Check 4

Tickets cost £5 each and there is a booking fee of £4. Write an expression for the total cost, in pounds, of n tickets.

  1. 5n + 4
  2. 9n
  3. 5(n + 4)
Show answer

5n + 4 The result is 5n + 4.

Check 5

A number n is 26. Work out 2n + 5.

  1. 57
  2. 59
  3. 67
Show answer

57 The result is 57.

Check 6

Write an expression for 6 more than n.

  1. n + 6
  2. 6n
  3. n − 6
Show answer

n + 6 The result is n + 6.

Check 7

Write an expression for 7 less than n.

  1. n − 7
  2. 7 − n
  3. n + 7
Show answer

n − 7 The result is n − 7.

Check 8

Pens cost £5 each. Write an expression for the cost, in pounds, of n pens.

  1. 5n
  2. n + 5
  3. n ÷ 5
Show answer

5n The result is 5n.

Check 9

Tickets cost £2 each and there is a booking fee of £2. Write an expression for the total cost, in pounds, of n tickets.

  1. 2n + 2
  2. 4n
  3. 2(n + 2)
Show answer

2n + 2 The result is 2n + 2.

Check 10

A number n is 31. Work out 3n + 3.

  1. 96
  2. 98
  3. 106
Show answer

96 The result is 96.

Check 11

Write an expression for 4 more than n.

  1. n + 4
  2. 4n
  3. n − 4
Show answer

n + 4 The result is n + 4.

Check 12

Write an expression for 5 less than n.

  1. n − 5
  2. 5 − n
  3. n + 5
Show answer

n − 5 The result is n − 5.

Check 13

Pens cost £2 each. Write an expression for the cost, in pounds, of n pens.

  1. 2n
  2. n + 2
  3. n ÷ 2
Show answer

2n The result is 2n.

Check 14

Tickets cost £3 each and there is a booking fee of £7. Write an expression for the total cost, in pounds, of n tickets.

  1. 3n + 7
  2. 10n
  3. 3(n + 7)
Show answer

3n + 7 The result is 3n + 7.

Check 15

A number n is 36. Work out 4n + 8.

  1. 152
  2. 154
  3. 162
Show answer

152 The result is 152.

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