Study Material — 13 PYQs (2018–2018) · Concept Notes · Shortcuts
IBPS Clerk Linear Equations is a frequently tested subtopic — 13 previous year questions from 2018–2018 papers are included below with concept notes, key rules and shortcut tricks.
13 questions from actual IBPS Clerk papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution
Exam Q 12018Previous Year Pattern
Solve for y: 5y - 12 = 2y + 9
Exam Q 22018Previous Year Pattern
If 3x + 7 = 22, find the value of x.
Exam Q 32018Previous Year Pattern
If 4(x - 3) = 20, what is the value of x?
Exam Q 42018Previous Year Pattern
A number is such that when 8 is subtracted from it, the result is 24. Find the number.
Exam Q 52018Previous Year Pattern
If 2x + 3 = x + 10, find x.
Exam Q 62018Previous Year Pattern
Solve: 6x - 5 = 2x + 11
Exam Q 72018Previous Year Pattern
A man is 5 times as old as his son. If the sum of their ages is 48 years, what is the son's age?
Exam Q 82018Previous Year Pattern
The sum of two consecutive even numbers is 74. What is the larger number?
Exam Q 92018Previous Year Pattern
If 5x - 3 = 3x + 9, then 2x + 5 equals:
Exam Q 102018Previous Year Pattern
A number is such that when 12 is subtracted from it, the result is 8 less than half the original number. What is the number?
Exam Q 112018Previous Year Pattern
If 3x + 7 = 2x + 15, then the value of x is:
Exam Q 122018Previous Year Pattern
A shopkeeper has two types of tea. Type A costs ₹120 per kg and Type B costs ₹180 per kg. He mixes them in a certain ratio and sells the mixture at ₹150 per kg, making no profit or loss. In what ratio (by weight) should he mix Type A and Type B?
Exam Q 132018Previous Year Pattern
A man is 4 times as old as his son. After 12 years, he will be twice as old as his son. If the man's current age is M years and his son's current age is S years, find the value of M + S.
Concept Notes
Linear Equations— Rules & Concept
Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Core Concept
Linear equations represent straight lines when plotted on a graph. In SSC CGL, you'll mostly deal with one variable (like x) or two variables (like x and y). The key is finding the value of unknown variables
Key Rules
For one variable linear equations like ax + b = 0, the solution is x = -b/a. For two variable systems, you need two equations to find unique solutions. Always maintain balance - whatever you do to one side, do to the other side.
Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper
• One variable: ax + b = 0, solution x = -b/a
• Two variables: a1x + b1y = c1 and a2x + b2y = c2
• Elimination method: Multiply equations to make coefficients equal
• Substitution method: Express one variable in terms of another
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
SSC CGL loves testing linear equations through word problems. Age problems, mixture problems, and number problems frequently appear. Questions often involve finding two numbers given their sum and difference, or determining speeds and distances. Expect 2-3 questions per paper.
ShortcutsUse these to save 30–60 seconds per question
For sum-difference problems, use this lightning method. If sum = S and difference = D, then larger number = (S+D)/2 and smaller number = (S-D)/2. This skips the entire equation-solving process.
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Let the numbers be x and y where x > y
2
Step 2
Given equations are x + y = 50 and x - y = 12
3
Step 3
Using shortcut - Larger number = (50+12)/2 = 31
4
Step 4
Smaller number = (50-12)/2 = 19
5
Step 5
Verification: 31 + 19 = 50 ✓ and 31 - 19 = 12 ✓
Answer: The numbers are 31 and 19.
Another Trick: For age problems, always define variables for present ages. If the problem mentions 'after n years' or 'before n years', add or subtract n from present ages respectively.
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
Students often confuse the setup in word problems. Read carefully whether the problem asks for present age or future age. Also, many forget to verify their answers by substituting back into original equations.
Always cross-check your solutions to avoid silly errors that cost marks in competitive exams.
Key Points to Remember
Linear equation has highest power of variable as 1
For ax + b = 0, solution is x = -b/a
Two equations needed to solve two unknown variables