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 · Non-calculator · 15 questions

MathsUKwww.geekhero.co.uk

1.A square patio of side length n slabs is surrounded by a single border of square paving slabs of the same size. For a patio with side length n, the total number of slabs used for the patio and its border together is 9 when n = 1, 16 when n = 2, 25 when n = 3, and 36 when n = 4. Work out an expression, in terms of n, for the total number of slabs.
(a)n² + 4n + 4
(b)n² + 4n
(c)2n² + 4n + 4
(d)n² + 4
2.Work out the value of (x − 4)/2 + 3 when x = 10
(a)0
(b)4.5
(c)6
(d)11
3.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.
4.The graph of y = 2x² + 6x − 1 is translated by the vector (−2, 0). Work out the equation of the image, giving your answer in the form y = 2x² + bx + c.
y = 2x² + 6x − 1y = 2x²
(a)y = 2x² + 10x + 15
(b)y = 2x² + 14x + 19
(c)y = 2x² − 2x − 5
(d)y = 2x² + 14x + 20
5.The point (3, 4) lies on the circle x² + y² = 25, which has centre (0, 0). Work out the gradient of the tangent to the circle at (3, 4).
(a)−4/3
(b)−3/4
(c)4/3
(d)3/4
6.The tangent to a curve at the point (6, 1) has gradient −3. Work out the y-coordinate of the point where this tangent crosses the y-axis.
(a)−2
(b)19
(c)−17
(d)18
7.Water is poured into a container at a constant rate. A graph of the depth of the water, in cm, against the time since pouring began, in minutes, is a straight line through the origin, and it passes through the point (3, 12). Use the graph to work out the depth of the water after 7 minutes.
(a)16 cm
(b)24 cm
(c)84 cm
(d)28 cm
8.A geometric sequence has first term 3 and common ratio √2. Work out the 6th term of the sequence, giving your answer in the form a√2.
(a)24√2
(b)15√2
(c)4√2
(d)12√2
9.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
10.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
11.The first five terms of a quadratic sequence are 2, 5, 10, 17, 26. Work out the next term in the sequence.
(a)28
(b)35
(c)37
(d)39
12.The mean of four numbers is 12.5. Three of the numbers are 8, 15 and 19. Form an equation using n for the fourth number, and solve it to find n.
(a)−4.5
(b)50
(c)29.5
(d)8
13.The point (−4, 3) lies on the circle x² + y² = 25, which has centre (0, 0). Work out the equation of the tangent to the circle at (−4, 3), giving your answer in the form y = mx + c.
(a)y = (4/3)x + 25/3
(b)y = −(3/4)x
(c)y = −(4/3)x − 7/3
(d)y = (4/3)x + 16/3
14.Which of these rules generates the sequence 6, 11, 16, 21, …?
(a)6n
(b)5n − 1
(c)5n + 1
(d)n + 5
15.Work out the equation of the straight line that passes through (−2, 3) and (4, −9).
(a)y = −2x − 1
(b)y = −2x + 1
(c)y = −(1/2)x + 2
(d)y = 2x + 7

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