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 · 15 questions

MathsUKwww.geekhero.co.uk

1.The area of a triangle is given by the formula A = bh/2, where b is the base and h is the height. Make h the subject of the formula.
(a)h = b/(2A)
(b)h = 2A/b
(c)h = A/(2b)
(d)h = 2Ab
2.Solve x² − 2x − 24 = 0.
(a)x = 6 or x = −4
(b)x = −6 or x = 4
(c)x = −8 or x = 3
(d)x = −6 or x = −4
3.Given that (x + 2)(x − 7) = 0, write down the two solutions of x.
(a)x = 2 or x = −7
(b)x = −2 or x = −7
(c)x = −2 or x = 7
(d)x = 2 or x = 7
4.The formula connecting speed, distance and time is v = s ÷ t. Work out v, in km/h, when s = 180 and t = 4.
(a)720
(b)184
(c)176
(d)45
5.A graph has equation y = x² − 6x + 5. A student says its turning point has x-coordinate 6, because that's the coefficient of x. Which statement corrects the student's mistake?
y = x² − 6x + 5
(a)The student is correct, because the turning point's x-coordinate always equals the coefficient of x.
(b)The turning point has x-coordinate −6, because the sign of the coefficient must be reversed.
(c)The turning point has x-coordinate 5, because that is the larger of the equation's two roots.
(d)The roots of x² − 6x + 5 = 0 are x = 1 and x = 5 (since it factorises to (x − 1)(x − 5)), so by symmetry the turning point has x-coordinate 3, not 6.
6.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
7.A student says 4(2x − 3) is equivalent to 8x − 3. Which statement gives the correct verdict and reason?
(a)False — 4(2x − 3) = 8x − 12, not 8x − 3.
(b)True — 4(2x − 3) = 8x − 3 when the bracket is expanded.
(c)False — 4(2x − 3) = 2x − 12, only the −3 is multiplied.
(d)True — 4(2x − 3) = 8x − 3, since both are linear.
8.The formula for the profit, £P, made on an item is P = S − C, where S is the selling price and C is the cost price. Make S the subject of the formula.
(a)S = PC
(b)S = P − C
(c)S = P + C
(d)S = C − P
9.A rectangular field has length (3a + 2) metres and width (a − 1) metres. Write a simplified expression for the perimeter of the field.
(a)12a + 8
(b)8a + 6
(c)8a + 2
(d)5a
10.Solve x² = 81.
(a)x = 6561
(b)x = 9
(c)x = 40.5
(d)x = 9 or x = −9
11.Simplify (5x² + 3x − 2) − (2x² − x + 5)
(a)3x² + 4x + 3
(b)3x² + 2x + 3
(c)7x² + 2x + 3
(d)3x² + 4x − 7
12.The point D has coordinates (3, −8). Write down the distance of D from the y-axis.
(a)8
(b)3
(c)11
(d)−8
13.a = 2 and b = 5. Work out the value of a²b.
(a)9
(b)20
(c)100
(d)50
14.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
15.A table of values is being drawn for the graph of y = x³. Work out the value of y when x = −2.
y = x
(a)8
(b)−6
(c)−8
(d)6

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