Printable · GCSE Higher · ages 14-16

Algebra worksheet — GCSE Higher

Fifteen questions across the algebra statements at Higher 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 Higher

Maths · GCSE Higher · Algebra · Calculator · 15 questions

MathsUKwww.geekhero.co.uk

1.An exponential model has equation y = A × bˣ, where b > 1. Its graph passes through the points (1, 135) and (2, 405). Work out the value of A.
(a)45
(b)1
(c)135
(d)3
2.Amelia's mother is three times as old as Amelia. Four years ago her mother was five times as old as Amelia was then. Work out Amelia's age now.
(a)4
(b)2
(c)16
(d)8
3.The equation x² − 3x − 7 = 0 can be solved using the iterative formula xₙ₊₁ = √(3xₙ + 7). The starting value is x₀ = 4, so x₁ is the value after the formula has been used once. Work out x₃ correct to 3 decimal places.
(a)4.535
(b)4.481
(c)13.149
(d)4.521
4.The line y = 2x + 7 and the circle x² + y² = 4 are given. By finding the discriminant of the resulting quadratic, without solving it fully, work out how many points the line and the circle intersect at.
y = 2x + 7
(a)0 — the line does not intersect the circle
(b)It cannot be found without solving the quadratic.
(c)1 — the line is a tangent to the circle
(d)2 — the line crosses the circle at two points
5.A tram sets off from a stop. Its velocity-time graph rises in a straight line from 0 m/s to 12 m/s over the first 8 seconds, then stays constant at 12 m/s for a further 10 seconds. Work out the total distance the tram travels in these 18 seconds, using the area under the graph.
(a)120 m
(b)216 m
(c)108 m
(d)168 m
6.Ethan is 10 years old and his father is 40 years old. Work out how many years ago Ethan's father was seven times as old as Ethan.
(a)24
(b)35
(c)5
(d)30
7.The braking distance of a car, in metres, is estimated using the formula d = 0.4v² + 6, where v is the speed in mph. A car travelling at 35 mph brakes. Work out the estimated braking distance.
(a)202
(b)490
(c)496
(d)20
8.A circular running track is modelled on a grid whose centre is the origin, where each unit represents 1 metre. A floodlight at the point (30, 40) stands on the edge of the track. A second floodlight stands on the edge of the track at the point (0, k), where k is positive. Work out the value of k.
(a)40
(b)70
(c)50
(d)2500
9.The equation x³ = 6x + 20 can be solved using the iterative formula xₙ₊₁ = ∛(6xₙ + 20). Taking x₀ = 3, x₁ = 3.3620 correct to 4 decimal places. Using the full unrounded value of x₁, work out x₂ correct to 3 decimal places.
(a)3.362
(b)2.722
(c)0.556
(d)3.425
10.The iterative formula xₙ₊₁ = xₙ³ − 2 is used repeatedly, starting from x₀ = 2. Which of these describes what happens to the sequence of values as n increases?
(a)It stays constant, since x₀ = 2 is a fixed point.
(b)It oscillates between two fixed values.
(c)It converges to a fixed value close to 2.
(d)It diverges, growing rapidly without limit.
11.A company's weekly profit, P thousand pounds, when it makes x thousand items is modelled by P = x² − 8x + 12, for x ≥ 0. Work out the values of x for which the company makes a loss.
(a)x < 2 or x > 6
(b)2 < x < 6
(c)−6 < x < −2
(d)2 ≤ x ≤ 6
12.A closed cylinder has radius r cm and height (r + 5) cm. Its volume is 300 cm³, giving the equation πr²(r + 5) = 300, which can be solved using the iterative formula rₙ₊₁ = √(300 ÷ (π(rₙ + 5))). Taking r₀ = 3, work out r₃ correct to 2 decimal places.
(a)3.45
(b)3.38
(c)3.36
(d)4.82
13.A population of bacteria doubles every 3 hours. It starts at 800. Work out the population after 9 hours.
(a)409,600
(b)8
(c)6,400
(d)3,200
14.By completing the square, find the turning point of the curve y = x² + 8x − 3.
y = x² + 8x − 3
(a)x = −8, y = −67
(b)x = −4, y = 19
(c)x = 4, y = −19
(d)x = −4, y = −19
15.A taxi company charges a £2.50 booking fee plus £1.80 per mile. A journey costs £15.10 in total. Work out the number of miles travelled.
(a)9.78
(b)8.39
(c)5.32
(d)7

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