Algebra worksheet — GCSE Higher

1.Matchsticks are laid out as a row of squares, with each new square sharing a side with the square before it. The first square uses 4 matchsticks and every extra square uses 3 more. Work out how many matchsticks a row of 4 squares uses.

2.The graph of y = f(x) passes through the point (2, 5). Write down the coordinates of the corresponding point on the graph of y = f(x − 4) + 1.

3.n is an integer. Which of these expressions is always an even number?

4.A hall is set out in rows of chairs for an assembly. Row 1 has 50 chairs, row 2 has 45 chairs, row 3 has 40 chairs, and row 4 has 35 chairs, with each row after the first having 5 fewer chairs than the one before. Work out an expression, in terms of n, for the number of chairs in row n.

5.The graph of y = x² − 5x + 6 crosses the x-axis at two points. By factorising, work out the x-coordinates of these two points.

6.A taxi fare in pounds is given by F = 2.50 + 1.20m, where m is the number of miles travelled. Sam takes a taxi for a journey of 6 miles. Work out the fare.

7.A straight line passes through the points (2, 7) and (5, 16). Work out the value of y when x = 0.

8.Aisha saves money each week. In week 1 she has saved £15 in total, in week 2 she has saved £23 in total, in week 3 she has saved £31 in total and in week 4 she has saved £39 in total, with the total increasing by the same amount each week. Work out an expression, in terms of n, for the total amount she has saved, in pounds, after week n.

9.Four sequences are shown below. Sequence P: 3, 6, 12, 24, … Sequence Q: 1, 4, 9, 16, … Sequence R: 2, 4, 8, 14, … Sequence S: 5, 10, 15, 20, … Work out which of the sequences P, Q, R and S is geometric.

10.A charity's fundraising total, T pounds, over d days follows T = (d − 3)(30 − d) for 3 ≤ d ≤ 30, where T = 0 marks the start and end of the campaign. Work out how many days the campaign runs for, from start to end.

11.Make x the subject of the formula y = 4x − 3.

12.A plumber charges a call-out fee plus an hourly rate. The total cost, y in pounds, of a job lasting x hours is given by y = 45x + 60. Work out the total cost of a job that lasts 3 hours.

13.The formula for the area of a trapezium is A = (a + b)h / 2, where a and b are the parallel side lengths and h is the height. Make h the subject of the formula.

14.The formula for converting a temperature from degrees Celsius, C, to degrees Fahrenheit, F, is F = 1.8C + 32. Work out F when C = 20, and identify what kind of mathematical statement F = 1.8C + 32 is.

15.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.