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.Solve 5x + 2 = 17.
(a)3
(b)3.8
(c)15
(d)1.4
2.Factorise x² − 64.
(a)(x − 4)(x + 16)
(b)(x − 8)(x − 8)
(c)(x + 8)(x + 8)
(d)(x − 8)(x + 8)
3.Solve the inequality 3x + 6 ≤ 0.
(a)x ≤ 2
(b)x ≤ −2
(c)x ≥ −2
(d)x ≤ −18
4.A taxi fare, in pounds, for a journey of m miles is given by the formula F = 3 + 2.5m. A journey costs £15.50. Work out the distance travelled, m, by first rearranging the formula to make m the subject, then substituting F = 15.50.
(a)7.4
(b)6.2
(c)3.2
(d)5
5.Work out the values of x and y that satisfy both x + y = 10 and x − y = 4.
(a)x = 14, y = −4
(b)x = 7, y = 3
(c)x = 5, y = 5
(d)x = 7, y = 4
6.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.
7.The formula for the volume of a cuboid is V = lwh, where l is the length, w is the width and h is the height. Make h the subject of the formula.
(a)h = Vlw
(b)h = V − lw
(c)h = V / (lw)
(d)h = lw / V
8.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.
(a)y + 1
(b)y − 4
(c)y − 9
(d)y + 9
9.Two expressions are 4(x + 3) and 4x + 3. A student checks whether they are equivalent by substituting x = 2. Which statement correctly interprets the result?
(a)4(x + 3) = 20 and 4x + 3 = 11 when x = 2, so the two expressions are not equivalent, because the bracket means the 3 must be added before multiplying by 4.
(b)4(x + 3) = 11 and 4x + 3 = 11 when x = 2, since the bracket has no effect on the multiplication, so the two expressions are equivalent.
(c)4(x + 3) = 20 and 4x + 3 = 11 when x = 2, but the two expressions are equivalent because both involve the same terms, 4x and 3.
(d)4(x + 3) = 20 and 4x + 3 = 11 when x = 2, so the two expressions are not equivalent, but they would become equal for some larger value of x.
10.Work out the gradient of the straight line that passes through the points (−1, 5) and (3, −7).
(a)−6
(b)−3
(c)−1/3
(d)3
11.Solve x − 4 = −9
(a)x = 13
(b)x = −13
(c)x = −5
(d)x = 5
12.In a shop a shirt costs £x and a pair of trousers costs £(2x + 30). Together the two items cost at least £150. Work out the lowest possible price of the shirt.
(a)£50
(b)£120
(c)£60
(d)£40
13.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
14.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.
(a)y = −2x + 3
(b)y = 2x + 3
(c)y = −2x − 3
(d)y = −x + 4
15.A straight line has gradient −2 and passes through the point (3, 1). Work out the equation of the line.
(a)y = −2x + 7
(b)y = −2x − 5
(c)y = 2x + 7
(d)y = −2x + 1

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