Find algebra regularly hard work? One avoiding it (5)
I believe the answer is:
idler
'hard work? one avoiding it' is the definition.
(an idler avoids work)
'find algebra regularly' is the wordplay.
'regularly' indicates alternate letters (regularly take one letter, leave next etc.).
'find'+'algebra'='findalgebra'
The alternate letters of 'findalgebra' are 'IDLER'.
(Other definitions for idler that I've seen before include "comparatively slack" , "Layabout, loafer" , "A lazy loafer" , "One reluctant to work" , "Lollard" .)