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 graph of y = (x − 2)(x + 5) crosses the x-axis at two points. Work out the x-coordinates of these two points.
(a)x = −2 and x = −5
(b)x = 2 and x = −5
(c)x = −2 and x = 5
(d)x = 2 and x = 5
2.A geometric sequence begins 162, 54, 18, 6, ... Work out the next term in the sequence.
(a)2
(b)3
(c)−6
(d)18
3.A ribbon of length L metres is cut into 5 equal pieces, and then 3 metres is removed from one piece. Write down an expression, in metres, for the length of that piece after 3 metres is removed.
(a)5/L − 3
(b)(L − 3)/5
(c)L/5 − 3
(d)L − 3/5
4.A park is drawn on a grid in which 1 unit represents 1 km. The car park is at the point (0, 0) and the lake is at the point (3, 5). Work out the direct distance, in km, from the car park to the lake, giving your answer to 1 decimal place.
(a)5.8
(b)4.0
(c)8.0
(d)34.0
5.The first five terms of a sequence are 2, 5, 8, 11, 14. Work out an expression, in terms of n, for the nth term.
(a)3n − 1
(b)2n + 3
(c)3n − 2
(d)3n + 2
6.A rectangular garden has width w metres and length (w + 3) metres. A gardener writes its perimeter as 2w + 3. Which statement corrects the gardener's mistake?
(a)It is 2(w + (w + 3)) = 4w + 6, not 2w + 3.
(b)It is 3w + 6, since the length doubles but not the width.
(c)It is w + (w + 3) = 2w + 3, matching the gardener.
(d)It is 4(w + 3) = 4w + 12, treating it as a square.
7.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)
8.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.
9.Noah says that y = 3 is the solution of the equation y + 10 = 12. Noah is wrong. Work out the correct value of y.
(a)y = 22
(b)y = −2
(c)y = 2
(d)y = 12
10.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.
11.A sequence starts at 2. Each term after that is found using the rule "double the previous term, then add 1". Work out the 4th term of the sequence.
(a)16
(b)23
(c)22
(d)30
12.Oliver has m stickers and gives 5 of them away. The number he has left is L = m − 5. Work out L when m = 8.
(a)3
(b)40
(c)−3
(d)13
13.Solve 2x² = 18.
(a)x = 9 or x = −9
(b)x = 4 or x = −4
(c)x = 6 or x = −6
(d)x = 3 or x = −3
14.Which expression is equivalent to 3(2x − 5) + 4x?
(a)10x + 15
(b)6x − 15
(c)10x − 15
(d)10x − 5
15.Which expression is equivalent to 4(x − 2) + 10?
(a)4x + 2
(b)4x + 8
(c)4x − 8
(d)4x + 18

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