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.The point A(−6, 8) lies on the circle x² + y² = 100, whose centre is the origin O. The tangent to the circle at A crosses the y-axis at the point B. Work out the length of OB.
(a)12.5
(b)8
(c)10
(d)3.5
2.By completing the square, show that the curve y = x² − 14x + 50 never crosses the x-axis. Which statement gives the correct reason?
y = x² − 14x + 50
(a)The turning point is above the x-axis at (7, −1)
(b)50 is positive, so y is always positive
(c)The discriminant is positive, so y is never zero
(d)(x − 7)² + 1 is at least 1 for every x, so y is never 0
3.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.
(a)h = 2A / a + b
(b)h = (a + b) / (2A)
(c)h = A / (a + b)
(d)h = 2A / (a + b)
4.Solve 3(2x − 1) = 27
(a)4
(b)5
(c)4.5
(d)4 2/3
5.Solve 2x² − 7x + 3 = 0.
(a)x = 6 or x = 1
(b)x = 3/2 or x = 1
(c)x = 3 or x = 1/2
(d)x = −3 or x = −1/2
6.A number, n, is doubled and then 7 is subtracted. The result is 15. Form an equation and solve it to find n.
(a)11
(b)4
(c)7.5
(d)22
7.Harry is 14 years old and Mia is 8 years old. Will Harry ever be exactly twice as old as Mia? Give a reason for your answer.
(a)No — it has never happened and never will
(b)Yes — when Harry is 20
(c)No — that moment has already passed
(d)Yes — when Harry is 16
8.A fundraising chain letter starts with 3 people taking part in round 1. Each following round has 4 times as many people taking part as the round before. Work out the number of people taking part in round 4.
(a)39
(b)192
(c)768
(d)256
9.Solve the simultaneous equations 3x + y = 14 and x + y = 6. Work out the value of x.
(a)4.67
(b)−4
(c)2
(d)4
10.Describe a sequence of two transformations that maps the graph of y = cos x onto the graph of y = cos(x + 90°) − 2.
y = cos(x)
(a)Translate −90° in x, then translate +2 in y.
(b)Translate −90° in x, then translate −2 in y.
(c)Reflect in the x-axis, then translate −90° in x.
(d)Translate +90° in x, then translate −2 in y.
11.A Fibonacci-type sequence is defined by aₙ = aₙ₋₁ + aₙ₋₂ for n ≥ 3. Given that a₁ = 5 and a₃ = 17, work out a₂.
(a)22
(b)11
(c)−12
(d)12
12.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
13.A candle is 30 cm tall and burns down at a steady rate of 1 cm per hour. Write down the function for the height of the candle y, in centimetres, after x hours.
(a)y = −30x + 1
(b)y = x + 30
(c)y = −x + 30
(d)y = 30x − 1
14.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
15.When a number is added to its square the result is 30. Work out the possible values of the number.
(a)6 and −5
(b)5 and −6
(c)5 and 6
(d)5 only

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