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 ramp rises 3 m over a horizontal distance of 12 m. Work out the gradient of the ramp.
(a)0.25
(b)4
(c)9
(d)36
2.A scout leader is 44 years old and one of the scouts is 16 years old. Work out how many years it will be until the leader is exactly twice as old as the scout.
(a)6 years
(b)12 years
(c)14 years
(d)28 years
3.Solve x² + 7x = 0.
(a)x = 0 or x = 7
(b)x = 0 or x = −14
(c)x = 0 or x = −7
(d)x = −7
4.A sequence begins at 60, and each term after that is found by subtracting 7 from the term before it. Work out the 5th term of the sequence.
(a)88
(b)39
(c)32
(d)25
5.A model rocket's height is given by h = −5t² + 20t, where h is in metres and t is in seconds. A student says the graph of h against t is n-shaped. Which statement gives the correct verdict on the SHAPE and the reason that settles it from the equation?
(a)Yes — the t² coefficient is negative, giving an n-shape.
(b)No — it is U-shaped, since height starts by increasing.
(c)No — the shape comes from the story, not the coefficient.
(d)Yes, but only because the rocket eventually lands.
6.A curve has equation y = x² − 9. Which statement about its graph is correct?
y = x² − 9
(a)It crosses the x-axis only once, at x = 9.
(b)It does not cross the x-axis, since −9 is negative.
(c)It crosses the x-axis at x = 9 and x = −9.
(d)It crosses the x-axis at x = 3 and x = −3.
7.A company's profit was £2000 in its first year. Each following year, the profit increases by £800. Work out the first year in which the profit is more than £7000.
(a)9
(b)6
(c)7
(d)8
8.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
9.A market stall's cost of hiring n tables is modelled by two formulas: Formula A: C = 3(2n + 5); Formula B: C = 6n + 15, where C is in pounds. A stallholder says the two formulas always give the same cost. Work out the cost given by each formula when n = 4, and use your results to decide whether the stallholder is correct.
(a)Formula A gives £39 and Formula B gives £39, but the stallholder is wrong because the two formulas use a different number of terms.
(b)Formula A gives £29 and Formula B gives £39, so the stallholder is wrong.
(c)Formula A gives £39 and Formula B gives £39, but this is only true when n = 4, so the stallholder is wrong.
(d)Formula A gives £39 and Formula B gives £39, and since 3(2n + 5) expands to 6n + 15 for every value of n, the stallholder is correct.
10.A delivery van's distance-time graph shows the following: it travels 9 km in the first 15 minutes at a steady speed, stops for 45 minutes to unload, then travels a further 21 km in the next 30 minutes, also at a steady speed. Work out the average speed, in km/h, for the whole journey.
(a)36 km/h
(b)39 km/h
(c)40 km/h
(d)20 km/h
11.Solve the simultaneous equations 4x + 3y = 25 and 4x − y = 1. Work out the value of y.
(a)6
(b)4
(c)12
(d)−6
12.A quadratic graph y = ax² + bx + c has its turning point on the y-axis. Which statement about its roots must be true?
(a)The two roots must both be positive.
(b)The graph has no roots at all.
(c)The graph must touch the x-axis at exactly one point.
(d)If the graph has two real roots, they are equal and opposite in value, so they sum to zero.
13.By completing the square, find the turning point of the curve y = 2x² − 8x + 3.
y = 2x² − 8x + 3
(a)x = 4, y = −29
(b)x = 2, y = −5
(c)x = −2, y = −5
(d)x = 2, y = 5
14.Which expression is equivalent to 3(2x − 5) + 4x?
(a)10x + 15
(b)6x − 15
(c)10x − 15
(d)10x − 5
15.A square tile has an area of 144 cm². Work out the side length of the tile.
(a)12 cm or −12 cm
(b)72 cm
(c)12 cm
(d)36 cm

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