IBEW Aptitude Test Solving Linear Equations Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Solve: 8x + 4 = 36
- x = 3
- x = 4 (Correct answer)
- x = 5
- x = 6
Correct answer: x = 4
8x = 32. x = 4.
8x + 4 = 36. Subtract 4: 8x = 32. Divide by 8: x = 4. Check: 8(4)+4=36 ✓. Solving two-step linear equations is a core IBEW aptitude test skill applied to electrical formulas like Ohm's Law variants.
Question 2: Solve: 9 - 3x = 0
- x = 1
- x = 2
- x = 3 (Correct answer)
- x = 4
Correct answer: x = 3
9 = 3x. x = 3.
9 - 3x = 0. Add 3x to both sides: 9 = 3x. Divide by 3: x = 3. Check: 9-3(3)=9-9=0 ✓. Equations where the variable has a negative coefficient require moving it to the other side before dividing.
Question 3: Solve: (2x + 6)/4 = 5
- x = 6
- x = 7 (Correct answer)
- x = 8
- x = 9
Correct answer: x = 7
2x + 6 = 20. 2x = 14. x = 7.
(2x+6)/4 = 5. Multiply by 4: 2x+6=20. Subtract 6: 2x=14. Divide by 2: x=7. Check: (2(7)+6)/4=(14+6)/4=20/4=5 ✓. Clearing fractions by multiplying is the first step when the entire expression is divided.
Question 4: Solve the equation: 5x - 8 = 2x + 7
- x = 4
- x = 5 (Correct answer)
- x = 6
- x = 7
Correct answer: x = 5
3x = 15. x = 5.
5x-8 = 2x+7. Subtract 2x: 3x-8=7. Add 8: 3x=15. Divide: x=5. Check: 5(5)-8=17, 2(5)+7=17 ✓. Equations with variables on both sides test the ability to systematically collect like terms.
Question 5: Using the formula P = IV, if P = 1,200 watts and V = 120 volts, solve for I.
- I = 8 amps
- I = 10 amps (Correct answer)
- I = 12 amps
- I = 15 amps
Correct answer: I = 10 amps
I = P/V = 1200/120 = 10 amps.
P = IV. Divide both sides by V: I = P/V = 1200/120 = 10 amps. This directly applies linear equation solving to Watt's Law. Apprentice electricians must be able to rearrange and solve these formulas for any variable.
Question 6: Solve for w: 3w + 4 = w + 14
- w = 3
- w = 4
- w = 5 (Correct answer)
- w = 6
Correct answer: w = 5
2w = 10. w = 5.
3w+4 = w+14. Subtract w: 2w+4=14. Subtract 4: 2w=10. Divide: w=5. Check: 3(5)+4=19, 5+14=19 ✓. Two-step equation with variables on both sides is a standard linear equation format.
Solve: 8x + 4 = 36