Algebra worksheet — GCSE Foundation

1.Yuki is y years old. Her brother is 4 years younger than Yuki. Write down an expression, in terms of y, for the brother's age in 5 years' time.

2.The simultaneous equations y = 3 and 4x − y = 9 are given. Work out the value of x.

3.A sequence has the position-to-term rule: the nth term is 3n. Write down the first four terms of the sequence.

4.A table shows values of y = x² − x − 6 for x from −3 to 4: at x = −3, y = 6; x = −2, y = 0; x = −1, y = −4; x = 0, y = −6; x = 1, y = −6; x = 2, y = −4; x = 3, y = 0; x = 4, y = 6. Using the table, write down the two roots of x² − x − 6 = 0.

5.The formula for the perimeter of a rectangle is P = 2(l + w). One rectangle has l = 9 cm and w = 4 cm. A second rectangle has l = 6 cm and w = 5 cm. Work out how many cm greater the perimeter of the first rectangle is than the perimeter of the second.

6.Write down the coordinates of the point where the line y = 2x + 4 crosses the y-axis.

7.A rule turns each input x into an output y. The inputs are x = 0, 1, 2, 3 and the outputs are y = 4, 7, 10, 13. Work out the output when x = 5.

8.A rule turns each input x into an output y. The inputs are x = −1, 0, 1, 2 and the matching outputs are y = 5, 3, 1, −1. Work out the rule.

9.Solve 4x² − 9 = 0.

10.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.

11.Work out the value of 3b − 4 when b = 6

12.A number machine multiplies its input by 5. Work out the output when the input is −1.

13.A colony of bacteria doubles in number every hour. At 9am there are 5 bacteria in the colony. Work out how many bacteria there will be at 12 noon.

14.A company charges for hiring chairs for a day. Hiring 1 chair costs £12, hiring 2 chairs costs £19, hiring 3 chairs costs £26, and hiring 4 chairs costs £33. Work out an expression, in terms of n, for the cost in pounds of hiring n chairs for a day.

15.Two brothers have ages that add up to 30. The elder brother is 6 years older than the younger brother. Work out the age of the younger brother.