Printable · GCSE Foundation · ages 14-16

Algebra worksheet — GCSE Foundation

Fifteen questions across the algebra statements at Foundation tier. Choose the non-calculator filter to rehearse Paper 1, which counts for a third of the marks.

Non-calculator

VersionsA only A + B A + B + Csame questions, different order

AnswersQuestions only With answer key Key only

CalculatorMixed Non-calculator (Paper 1)Calculator (Papers 2 and 3)

New sheet

Algebra worksheet — GCSE Foundation

Maths · GCSE Foundation · Algebra · Non-calculator · 15 questions

MathsUKwww.geekhero.co.uk

1.Leo is three times as old as his brother. His brother is x years old. Write down an expression for Leo's age.
(a)3x
(b)x − 3
(c)x/3
(d)x + 3
2.A conversion graph shows that 5 miles is equivalent to 8 kilometres. Use this to work out how many kilometres are equivalent to 20 miles.
(a)16 km
(b)32 km
(c)23 km
(d)24 km
3.Expand 4(2x − 3).
(a)2x + 1
(b)8x + 12
(c)8x − 12
(d)8x − 3
4.Which expression means the same as a × a × a?
(a)a²
(b)3a
(c)a³
(d)3 + a
5.Jack is x years old. His brother Kwame is 3 years older than Jack. Write down an expression for Kwame's age.
(a)x + 3
(b)3 − x
(c)x − 3
(d)3x
6.Priya says that x = 6 is the solution of the equation 4x + 8 = 24. Priya is wrong. Work out the correct value of x.
(a)12
(b)4
(c)8
(d)16
7.A quadratic curve has a minimum turning point at (3, −4). Which of these statements about the curve must be true?
(a)It does not cross, since the minimum lies below the axis.
(b)It crosses the x-axis, since the minimum is below it.
(c)It touches the x-axis once, at (3, −4).
(d)It is impossible to tell without the full equation.
8.The solution to an inequality is n ≤ 5. Write down the largest integer value of n that satisfies this inequality.
(a)5
(b)4
(c)6
(d)−5
9.Which of these numbers is a cube number?
(a)9
(b)27
(c)16
(d)25
10.A graph has equation y = 3x + 2. Which word or phrase best describes its shape?
y = 3x + 2
(a)A curve that gets closer to an axis but never reaches it.
(b)A straight line.
(c)A curve that decreases then increases.
(d)A U-shaped curve, like a quadratic.
11.Two expressions are 4(x + 3) and 4x + 3. A student checks whether they are equivalent by substituting x = 2. Which statement correctly interprets the result?
(a)4(x + 3) = 20 and 4x + 3 = 11 when x = 2, so the two expressions are not equivalent, because the bracket means the 3 must be added before multiplying by 4.
(b)4(x + 3) = 11 and 4x + 3 = 11 when x = 2, since the bracket has no effect on the multiplication, so the two expressions are equivalent.
(c)4(x + 3) = 20 and 4x + 3 = 11 when x = 2, but the two expressions are equivalent because both involve the same terms, 4x and 3.
(d)4(x + 3) = 20 and 4x + 3 = 11 when x = 2, so the two expressions are not equivalent, but they would become equal for some larger value of x.
12.The height, h metres, of a ball t seconds after a stopwatch is started follows h = (t − 1)(5 − t) for 1 ≤ t ≤ 5, where h = 0 means the ball is at ground level. Work out the two times at which the ball is at ground level.
(a)t = 1 second and t = 4 seconds
(b)t = 1 second and t = −5 seconds
(c)t = 1 second and t = 5 seconds
(d)t = −1 second and t = 5 seconds
13.The first term of an arithmetic sequence is 5, and each term after that increases by 6. Work out the 8th term of the sequence.
(a)53
(b)41
(c)48
(d)47
14.A model rocket's height is given by h = −5t² + 20t, where h is in metres and t is in seconds. A student says the graph of h against t is n-shaped. Which statement gives the correct verdict on the SHAPE and the reason that settles it from the equation?
(a)Yes — the t² coefficient is negative, giving an n-shape.
(b)No — it is U-shaped, since height starts by increasing.
(c)No — the shape comes from the story, not the coefficient.
(d)Yes, but only because the rocket eventually lands.
15.Solve 4x − (2x − 6) = 18
(a)x = 6
(b)x = 3
(c)x = 12
(d)x = 24

Build your own mix at the worksheet builder.