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.The solution set of x ≥ −1 is drawn on a number line. Which description of that number line is correct?
(a)An open circle at −1 with the arrow pointing right
(b)An open circle at −1 with the arrow pointing left
(c)A solid circle at −1 with the arrow pointing right
(d)A solid circle at −1 with the arrow pointing left
2.A market stall's cost of hiring n tables is modelled by two formulas: Formula A: C = 3(2n + 5); Formula B: C = 6n + 15, where C is in pounds. A stallholder says the two formulas always give the same cost. Work out the cost given by each formula when n = 4, and use your results to decide whether the stallholder is correct.
(a)Formula A gives £39 and Formula B gives £39, but the stallholder is wrong because the two formulas use a different number of terms.
(b)Formula A gives £29 and Formula B gives £39, so the stallholder is wrong.
(c)Formula A gives £39 and Formula B gives £39, but this is only true when n = 4, so the stallholder is wrong.
(d)Formula A gives £39 and Formula B gives £39, and since 3(2n + 5) expands to 6n + 15 for every value of n, the stallholder is correct.
3.A sequence has the position-to-term rule: the term is the square of the position number. Its first four terms are 1, 4, 9, 16. Work out the 10th term.
(a)20
(b)81
(c)100
(d)1000
4.A sequence begins at 7. Each term after the first is found by adding 6 to the term before it. Work out the 6th term of the sequence.
(a)43
(b)37
(c)25
(d)31
5.Expand 4(2x − 3).
(a)2x + 1
(b)8x + 12
(c)8x − 12
(d)8x − 3
6.Meera writes the statement 3(x + 4) = 3x + 12. Which of these correctly describes what she has written, with a reason?
(a)An identity, true for every value of x
(b)A formula, relating two expressions
(c)An equation, because it has an equals sign
(d)An equation, solved by one value of x
7.Oliver buys b pens. Each pen costs £2. Write down an expression for the total cost, in pounds.
(a)2b
(b)b + 2
(c)2b + 2
(d)b/2
8.A rectangular garden has width w metres and length (w + 3) metres. A gardener writes its perimeter as 2w + 3. Which statement corrects the gardener's mistake?
(a)It is 2(w + (w + 3)) = 4w + 6, not 2w + 3.
(b)It is 3w + 6, since the length doubles but not the width.
(c)It is w + (w + 3) = 2w + 3, matching the gardener.
(d)It is 4(w + 3) = 4w + 12, treating it as a square.
9.Given that (x − 4)(x + 9) = 0, write down the two solutions of x.
(a)x = −4 or x = 9
(b)x = 4 or x = 9
(c)x = −4 or x = −9
(d)x = 4 or x = −9
10.A sequence has the position-to-term rule: the nth term is 3n. Write down the first four terms of the sequence.
(a)0, 3, 6, 9
(b)3, 6, 9, 12
(c)4, 5, 6, 7
(d)3, 9, 27, 81
11.The point B has coordinates (−2, −2). In which quadrant is B?
(a)the fourth quadrant
(b)the second quadrant
(c)the first quadrant
(d)the third quadrant
12.Solve 2x² = 18.
(a)x = 9 or x = −9
(b)x = 4 or x = −4
(c)x = 6 or x = −6
(d)x = 3 or x = −3
13.A number, n, is tripled and then 4.5 is added. The result is 22.5. Form an equation and solve it to find n.
(a)12
(b)6
(c)7.5
(d)9
14.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
15.Which expression means 'y squared, multiplied by 3'?
(a)3y²
(b)y³
(c)(3y)²
(d)3 + y²

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