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

MathsUKwww.geekhero.co.uk

1.A candle is 30 cm tall when lit and burns at a constant rate. After burning for 5 minutes, its height is 20 cm. The height h cm after t minutes is given by h = 30 − mt. Work out the value of m.
(a)2
(b)4
(c)10
(d)0.5
2.Write down the coefficient of p in the expression 7 − 4p + 9q.
(a)7
(b)4
(c)9
(d)−4
3.Work out the coordinates of the point halfway between (−9, −2) and (−1, −2).
(a)(−10, −2)
(b)(−5, −2)
(c)(−4, −2)
(d)(5, −2)
4.Explain why the equation 4x + 3 = 4x + 10 has no solution for x.
(a)Subtracting 4x gives 3 = 10, which is never true.
(b)x would have to be negative, but x must be positive.
(c)It's true for every x, so there are infinite solutions.
(d)x = 7, since 10 − 3 = 7.
5.The graph of y = 24/x is drawn for x > 0. Work out the value of y when x = 6.
(a)y = 18
(b)y = 30
(c)y = 144
(d)y = 4
6.The nth term of a sequence is 3n + 2. Work out the 4th term of the sequence.
(a)12
(b)14
(c)9
(d)11
7.A walker's distance-time graph is described as follows: she walks 3 km in the first 15 minutes at a steady speed, rests for 10 minutes, then walks a further 3 km in the next 20 minutes, also at a steady speed. Work out her speed, in km/h, during the first 15 minutes.
(a)12 km/h
(b)9 km/h
(c)8 km/h
(d)0.2 km/h
8.A phone company works out a monthly bill, £B, using the formula B = 18 + 0.05t, where £18 is the fixed monthly charge and t is the number of extra text messages sent beyond the free allowance, each charged at 5p. Farida's bill for one month is £24.50. Work out the number of extra text messages, t, she sent.
(a)130
(b)13
(c)65
(d)490
9.Simplify (5x² + 3x − 2) − (2x² − x + 5)
(a)3x² + 4x + 3
(b)3x² + 2x + 3
(c)7x² + 2x + 3
(d)3x² + 4x − 7
10.The cost, in pounds, of hiring a van for d days is given by the formula C = 25 + 18d. A customer's hire cost £133. Work out how many days, d, they hired the van for, by first rearranging the formula to make d the subject.
(a)4.6
(b)7.4
(c)90
(d)6
11.Point P has coordinates (5, 2). Point P is rotated 180° about the origin to point Q. Write down the coordinates of Q.
(a)(2, 5)
(b)(−5, −2)
(c)(−5, 2)
(d)(5, −2)
12.Solve x/4 + 1 = 3
(a)x = 16
(b)x = 8
(c)x = 0.5
(d)x = 2
13.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.
14.A distance-time graph shows a car travelling at a constant speed, covering 90 km in 2 hours. Work out the car's speed in km/h.
(a)88 km/h
(b)180 km/h
(c)45 km/h
(d)92 km/h
15.Which of these equations gives a graph shaped like a U, symmetrical about a vertical line?
(a)y = x² + 2
(b)y = 2x + 2
(c)y = 2/x
(d)y = x³ + 2

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