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 number, w, satisfies the statement "three times w, minus 5, is at least 16". Which of these is the correct inequality for w?
(a)3(w − 5) ≥ 16
(b)3w − 5 ≥ 16
(c)3w − 5 > 16
(d)3w − 5 ≤ 16
2.Isla says that the lines y = 2x + 1 and y = −2x + 3 are parallel. Write down the statement that gives the correct answer for the correct reason.
y = 2x + 1y = -2x + 3
(a)Yes, because the gradients 2 and −2 add to 0
(b)No, because their gradients are 2 and −2
(c)Yes, because both gradients have size 2
(d)No, because their y-intercepts are 1 and 3
3.To rearrange y = 2x − 5 to make x the subject, Sam writes: 'Add 5 to both sides to get y + 5 = 2x, then divide both sides by 2 to get x = (y + 5)/2.' Which statement about Sam's method is correct?
y = 2x − 5
(a)Yes, but step 2 should give x = 2(y + 5)
(b)No; it should be x = (y − 5)/2
(c)Yes; x = (y + 5)/2 is right
(d)No; it should be x = y/2 + 5
4.Factorise x² − 3x − 10.
(a)(x − 10)(x + 1)
(b)(x − 5)(x + 2)
(c)(x + 5)(x − 2)
(d)(x − 5)(x − 2)
5.A rectangle has width x cm. Its length is 3 cm more than its width. The perimeter of the rectangle is 38 cm. Form an equation and solve it to find x.
(a)9.5
(b)8
(c)17.5
(d)4.75
6.A sequence begins at 60, and each term after that is found by subtracting 7 from the term before it. Work out the 5th term of the sequence.
(a)88
(b)39
(c)32
(d)25
7.A taxi charges a fixed fee of £3 plus £2 for every mile travelled. The journey is m miles. Write down an expression for the total cost, in pounds.
(a)2 + 3m
(b)3 + 2m
(c)5 + m
(d)5m
8.Work out the value of (x − 4)/2 + 3 when x = 10
(a)0
(b)4.5
(c)6
(d)11
9.Factorise fully 56x − 24
(a)8(7x − 16)
(b)8(56x − 3)
(c)8(7x + 3)
(d)8(7x − 3)
10.A tank already contains some water and is then filled at a constant rate. After 2 minutes it contains 50 litres in total; after 7 minutes it contains 150 litres in total. Work out the rate at which water is added, in litres per minute.
(a)0.05
(b)20
(c)100
(d)25
11.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
12.A straight line has gradient −3 and passes through the point (0, 1). Work out the value of y when x = 2.
(a)7
(b)−5
(c)5
(d)−7
13.A student is asked whether 3(x − 4) = 3x − 4 is an identity. Which statement gives the correct verdict and reason?
(a)It is an identity, because both sides begin with the term 3x, so they must be equivalent.
(b)It is not even an ordinary equation with a solution: expanding the left-hand side gives 3x − 12, and 3x − 12 = 3x − 4 would require −12 = −4, which is never true.
(c)It is not an identity, because the student forgot to multiply the 4 by 3 on both sides of the equation.
(d)It is not an identity, because the student needs to substitute a specific value of x before comparing the two sides.
14.A stack of firewood has 3 logs in the top layer. Each layer below has 4 more logs than the layer above it. Work out the number of logs in the 6th layer from the top.
(a)23
(b)27
(c)24
(d)20
15.An equation has exactly one value of x that makes it true, but an identity is true for every value of x. Which of these best explains why 3x + 5 = 20 is an equation rather than an identity?
(a)It has an = sign, and equations always use =.
(b)3x + 5 cannot be simplified, so it must be an equation.
(c)Only x = 5 satisfies 3x + 5 = 20, not every value of x.
(d)A number on the right-hand side makes it an equation.

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