SSC CPO Algebra Questions with Answers & Explanations

20 Algebra questions from the Quantitative Aptitude section of SSC CPO, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. Try each question first, then tap Show answer to check. When you're ready, take the timed chapter-wise test to see your all-India rank.

Take the Quantitative Aptitude test → SSC CPO full mocks

Question 1

If x + 1/x = 8, what is the value of x² + 1/x²?

Show answer

Answer: (B) 62 (x + 1/x)² = x² + 1/x² + 2, so x² + 1/x² = 8² − 2 = 62.

Question 2

If x + 1/x = 6, what is the value of x² + 1/x²?

Show answer

Answer: (C) 34 (x + 1/x)² = x² + 1/x² + 2, so x² + 1/x² = 6² − 2 = 34.

Question 3

Solve: 2x + 5y = 72 and 2x − 2y = -12. What is the value of x?

Show answer

Answer: (D) 6 Solving the two equations gives x = 6, y = 12.

Question 4

Solve: 5x + 4y = 64 and 2x − 2y = -14. What is the value of x?

Show answer

Answer: (D) 4 Solving the two equations gives x = 4, y = 11.

Question 5

If x + 1/x = 3, what is the value of x³ + 1/x³?

Show answer

Answer: (C) 18 x³ + 1/x³ = (x + 1/x)³ − 3(x + 1/x) = 3³ − 3 × 3 = 18.

Question 6

If x + 1/x = 7, what is the value of x² + 1/x²?

Show answer

Answer: (C) 47 (x + 1/x)² = x² + 1/x² + 2, so x² + 1/x² = 7² − 2 = 47.

Question 7

If x + 1/x = 7, what is the value of x³ + 1/x³?

A343
B364
C325
D322

Show answer

Answer: (D) 322 x³ + 1/x³ = (x + 1/x)³ − 3(x + 1/x) = 7³ − 3 × 7 = 322.

Question 8

Solve: 2x + 3y = 33 and 4x − 5y = -11. What is the value of x?

Show answer

Answer: (C) 6 Solving the two equations gives x = 6, y = 7.

Question 9

If x + 1/x = 4, what is the value of x² + 1/x²?

Show answer

Answer: (B) 14 (x + 1/x)² = x² + 1/x² + 2, so x² + 1/x² = 4² − 2 = 14.

Question 10

If x + 1/x = 4, what is the value of x³ + 1/x³?

Show answer

Answer: (C) 52 x³ + 1/x³ = (x + 1/x)³ − 3(x + 1/x) = 4³ − 3 × 4 = 52.

Ready for the real thing?
Timed Quantitative Aptitude test · 50 questions · instant rank

Start free test

Question 11

Solve: 5x + 3y = 47 and 4x − 5y = -29. What is the value of x?

Show answer

Answer: (C) 4 Solving the two equations gives x = 4, y = 9.

Question 12

If x + 1/x = 9, what is the value of x² + 1/x²?

Show answer

Answer: (D) 79 (x + 1/x)² = x² + 1/x² + 2, so x² + 1/x² = 9² − 2 = 79.

Question 13

If x + 1/x = 3, what is the value of x³ + 1/x³?

Show answer

Answer: (D) 18 x³ + 1/x³ = (x + 1/x)³ − 3(x + 1/x) = 3³ − 3 × 3 = 18.

Question 14

Solve: 2x + 1y = 18 and 5x − 2y = 36. What is the value of x?

Show answer

Answer: (D) 8 Solving the two equations gives x = 8, y = 2.

Question 15

Solve: 2x + 5y = 21 and 5x − 2y = 9. What is the value of x?

Show answer

Answer: (A) 3 Solving the two equations gives x = 3, y = 3.

Question 16

Solve: 4x + 2y = 24 and 1x − 3y = -15. What is the value of x?

Show answer

Answer: (C) 3 Solving the two equations gives x = 3, y = 6.

Question 17

If x + 1/x = 3, what is the value of x² + 1/x²?

Show answer

Answer: (C) 7 (x + 1/x)² = x² + 1/x² + 2, so x² + 1/x² = 3² − 2 = 7.

Question 18

Solve: 4x + 3y = 50 and 3x − 3y = -15. What is the value of x?

Show answer

Answer: (A) 5 Solving the two equations gives x = 5, y = 10.

Question 19

If x + 1/x = 8, what is the value of x² + 1/x²?

Show answer

Answer: (C) 62 (x + 1/x)² = x² + 1/x² + 2, so x² + 1/x² = 8² − 2 = 62.

Question 20

Solve: 1x + 4y = 17 and 5x − 3y = 16. What is the value of x?

Show answer

Answer: (B) 5 Solving the two equations gives x = 5, y = 3.

These are RankerClub practice questions written in the SSC CPO pattern. They are not official SSC/IBPS/RRB papers.

SSC CPO Algebra Questions with Answers & Explanations

More Quantitative Aptitude topics