Algebra worksheet — GCSE Higher

1.A stack of firewood has 3 logs in the top layer. Each layer below has 4 more logs than the layer above it. Work out the number of logs in the 6th layer from the top.

2.The equation x² = 5x − 3 is to be solved using iteration. Work out which of these iterative formulas comes from a correct rearrangement of the equation.

3.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.

4.The nth term of a sequence is 4n − 3. Work out the 7th term of the sequence.

5.The perimeter, P, of a rectangle with length l and width w is calculated using P = 2l + 2w. What kind of mathematical statement is P = 2l + 2w?

6.The area under a speed-time graph between t = 0 and t = 6 seconds is estimated using three strips of equal width, using the speeds, in m/s, at t = 0, 2, 4 and 6: 0, 5, 9 and 12. Using the trapezium rule with these three trapezia, estimate the distance travelled.

7.The first five terms of a quadratic sequence are −1, 4, 13, 26, 43. Work out an expression, in terms of n, for the nth term.

8.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.

9.A straight line has equation y = 4 − 3x. Work out the gradient of the line.

10.Two students each use the trapezium rule to estimate the area under the same curve between x = 0 and x = 8. Student A uses 4 strips of width 2. Student B uses 8 strips of width 1. Which estimate is more likely to be closer to the true area, and why?

11.A parcel delivery company's cost graph shows the following: the cost is a flat £5 for parcels weighing up to 2 kg, and then rises by £2 for each additional kg above 2 kg. Use the graph to work out the weight of a parcel that costs £17.

12.The graph of y = f(x) has a minimum turning point at (3, 2). Write down the coordinates of the minimum turning point of the graph of y = f(x) + 5.

13.The point (5, −12) lies on the circle x² + y² = 169, which has centre (0, 0). Work out the equation of the tangent to the circle at (5, −12), giving your answer in the form y = mx + c.

14.The diagram shows a distance–time graph for a cyclist travelling at a constant speed, for the first 6 minutes of a journey. Distance is in kilometres and time is in minutes. Work out how far the cyclist would travel in 20 minutes at the same speed.

15.A Fibonacci-type sequence begins 3, 5, 8, 13, ... where each term after the second is the sum of the two terms before it. Work out the 7th term of the sequence.