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.

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Algebra worksheet — GCSE Foundation

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

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1.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.
2.A rule turns each input into an output. An input of 0 gives an output of −1, an input of 1 gives an output of 1, and an input of 2 gives an output of 3. Work out the rule, writing the input as x and the output as y.
(a)y = x − 1
(b)y = 2x − 1
(c)y = 3x − 1
(d)y = 2x + 1
3.The first four terms of a sequence are 5, 8, 11, 14. Work out an expression, in terms of n, for the nth term.
(a)n + 3
(b)3n + 5
(c)3n
(d)3n + 2
4.A curve has equation y = x² − 9. Which statement about its graph is correct?
y = x² − 9
(a)It crosses the x-axis only once, at x = 9.
(b)It does not cross the x-axis, since −9 is negative.
(c)It crosses the x-axis at x = 9 and x = −9.
(d)It crosses the x-axis at x = 3 and x = −3.
5.A student says that (x + 4)² is equivalent to x² + 16. For which value of x do the two expressions give the SAME result, making it look (misleadingly) like the student could be right?
(a)x = 4
(b)x = −4
(c)x = 0
(d)x = 8
6.A pattern is made from tiles. Pattern 1 has 7 tiles, pattern 2 has 11 tiles, pattern 3 has 15 tiles, and pattern 4 has 19 tiles, with each new pattern having 4 more tiles than the one before it. Work out an expression, in terms of n, for the number of tiles in pattern n.
(a)4n
(b)4n + 7
(c)4n + 3
(d)7n + 4
7.The nth term of a sequence is 4n + 2. A term in the sequence has value 30. Work out its position, n, in the sequence.
(a)5
(b)8
(c)7
(d)28
8.A quadratic curve has a root at x = −2 and its turning point has x-coordinate 3. Work out the curve's other root, using the symmetry of the graph.
(a)x = −8
(b)x = 1
(c)x = 8
(d)x = 5
9.Which of these is an equation, rather than an expression, a formula or an identity?
(a)3x + 5
(b)A = πr²
(c)3x + 5 = 17
(d)3(x + 5) ≡ 3x + 15
10.The simultaneous equations x = 2 and x + y = 9 are given. Work out the value of y.
(a)y = 4.5
(b)y = 7
(c)y = 9
(d)y = 11
11.Six years ago Harry was three times as old as his brother Leo. Harry is now 24 years old. Work out Leo's age now.
(a)12
(b)8
(c)36
(d)6
12.Solve x² − 5x + 6 = 0 by factorising.
(a)x = −2 or x = −3
(b)x = 1 or x = 6
(c)x = 2 or x = 3
(d)x = 5 or x = 6
13.Priya has a budget of £50 for a school trip. The coach costs £14 and each student ticket costs £4. Using the inequality 14 + 4s ≤ 50, work out the greatest number of student tickets, s, she can buy.
(a)16
(b)9
(c)8
(d)12
14.The diagram shows the graph of $y = x^{2} - x - 2$ , together with the horizontal line $y = 3$ . Use the graphs to estimate, to 1 decimal place, the two solutions of $x^{2} - x - 2 = 3$ .
(a)x = −1.8 and x = 2.8
(b)x = −3.0 and x = 4.0
(c)x = 1.8 and x = 2.8
(d)x = −1.0 and x = 2.0
15.A straight line passes through the points (2, 5) and (4, 11). Work out the gradient of the line.
(a)8/3
(b)−3
(c)3
(d)1/3

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