Algebra worksheet — GCSE Foundation

1.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.

2.A straight line has gradient −3 and passes through the point (0, 1). Work out the value of y when x = 2.

3.The diagram shows the graph of the cost, in pounds, of a taxi journey plotted against the distance travelled, in miles, for journeys of up to 4 miles. The same fixed charge and the same cost per mile apply to longer journeys. Work out the cost of a 6-mile journey.

4.A taxi fare in pounds is given by F = 2.50 + 1.20m, where m is the number of miles travelled. Sam takes a taxi for a journey of 6 miles. Work out the fare.

5.The nth term of a sequence is 3n + 2. Work out the 4th term of the sequence.

6.The graph of y = (x − 2)(x + 5) crosses the x-axis at two points. Work out the x-coordinates of these two points.

7.A car's speed-time graph shows the following: its speed increases steadily from 0 m/s to 20 m/s over the first 10 seconds, then stays constant at 20 m/s for the next 15 seconds. Work out the total distance travelled in the first 25 seconds.

8.A rule turns each input x into an output y. The inputs are x = 1, 2, 3, 4 and the matching outputs are y = −5, −3, −1 and one missing value. Work out the missing value of y.

9.A straight line passes through the points (2, 7) and (5, 16). Work out the value of y when x = 0.

10.A ball's height, h metres, t seconds after being thrown follows h = (t − 1)(9 − t). Given that the ball is at ground level at t = 1 and t = 9, work out at what time t the ball reaches its maximum height, using symmetry.

11.Which of these is a term, rather than a whole expression, an equation, or a formula?

12.Which of these is an identity?

13.Which expression means the same as 3 × a × b?

14.A straight line passes through the points (2, 5) and (4, 11). Work out the gradient of the line.

15.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.