Algebra worksheet — GCSE Higher

1.f(x) = x³ − 3x² − 4. Work out the pair of consecutive integers between which the solution of f(x) = 0 lies.

2.The table shows the height, in metres, of a firework rocket at various times, in seconds, during its flight: 40 at t = 2, 54 at t = 3, and 60 at t = 4. Use the chord between t = 2 and t = 4 to estimate the gradient of the height-time graph at t = 3, stating the correct units.

3.A mobile phone tariff charges a fixed £15 plus 20p for every minute of calls made, so the total monthly charge, £C, for m minutes of calls is given by C = 15 + 0.2m. In a month where Ali's charge was £46.60, work out how many minutes of calls he made.

4.Points A(−1, 2) and B(5, 8) are the endpoints of a line segment. Work out the equation of the perpendicular bisector of AB.

5.On a distance-time graph, a horizontal line segment shows a period when the graph's gradient is 0. What does this tell you about the journey during that time?

6.The equation x³ − 2x − 7 = 0 has exactly one solution. It can be found using the iterative formula xₙ₊₁ = ∛(2xₙ + 7), with starting value x₀ = 2, so that x₁ is the value after the formula has been used once. Work out the solution correct to 2 decimal places, iterating until two consecutive values round to the same 2 decimal places.

7.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?

8.A distance-time graph is a straight line from (0, 0) to (4, 100), where time is in hours and distance is in kilometres. Work out the gradient of the line.

9.Look at the statement 2x + 5 = 17. Considering whether it is an expression, an equation, a formula, or an identity, which classification is correct?

10.Mia buys 3 identical notebooks and a pen costing £1.50. She pays a total of £9.90. Form an equation using n for the cost of one notebook, and solve it to find n.

11.The graph of W = 840 ÷ L shows how the width, W metres, of a rectangular field of area 840 m² depends on its length, L metres. Use the relationship to work out the width when the length is 35 m, and hence the perimeter of the field.

12.A cyclist's distance-time graph shows the following: she travels 12 km in the first 30 minutes at a steady speed, then rests for 30 minutes, then travels a further 8 km in the next 15 minutes. Work out her average speed, in km/h, for the whole journey.

13.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.

14.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.

15.A population of bacteria doubles every 3 hours. It starts at 800. Work out the population after 9 hours.