MH Police Bharti · Bite-size lessons

Algebra

About 5 min · Mathematics · English

Time worked out from the lesson's 264 words at 150 words a minute, plus a minute for each question.

Algebra forms the backbone of quantitative reasoning in the Maharashtra Police Bharti exam. This topic primarily tests your ability to solve linear equations and apply algebraic identities for quick calculations. Mastering algebra is essential because these concepts appear directly in standalone questions and indirectly in problems on profit-loss, time-work, and mensuration.

Key ideas

• Variable: A symbol (usually x, y, z) representing an unknown quantity that you need to find.
• Linear Equation: An equation where the highest power of the variable is 1. Example: 3x + 5 = 17.
• Coefficient: The number multiplied with a variable. In 7x, the coefficient is 7.
• Constant: A fixed value without any variable. In 3x + 5 = 17, both 5 and 17 are constants.
• Solution of an Equation: The value of the variable that makes the equation true. If x = 4 satisfies 3x + 5 = 17, then 4 is the solution.

Quick reference

• Linear equation ax + b = c → x = (c − b)/a
• (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b² — never forget the middle term
• (a² − b²) = (a + b)(a − b) — use for quick subtraction of squares
• If x + 1/x = k, then x² + 1/x² = k² − 2
• Elimination method: equalise one variable's coefficient, then add/subtract

Check yourself: 3 questions

This lesson is cut from the topic's note, not rewritten. Fact-checked on 21 Oct 2026: an AI-assisted check of this note against cited sources; the errors it found were corrected that day. Some errors may remain. The questions are from Shishya's validated question bank.

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