Algebra worksheet — GCSE Higher

1.A rule turns each input x into an output y. An input of 1 gives an output of 1, an input of 2 gives an output of 4 and an input of 3 gives an output of 9. Work out the rule.

2.The graph of y = x² − 7x + 2 crosses the x-axis at two points. One root, read from the graph, is approximately x = 0.30. Using the fact that the sum of the two roots of x² − 7x + 2 = 0 is 7, estimate the other root, correct to 2 decimal places.

3.A cyclist accelerates uniformly from rest to 6 m/s in 4 seconds, travels at a constant 6 m/s for 10 seconds, then decelerates uniformly to rest in 3 seconds. Work out the total distance the cyclist travels.

4.Isla says that the lines y = 2x + 1 and y = −2x + 3 are parallel. Write down the statement that gives the correct answer for the correct reason.

5.The graph of y = f(x) has a maximum turning point at (−1, 6). Write down the coordinates of the maximum turning point of the graph of y = f(x − 3).

6.A student says that (x + 4)² is equivalent to x² + 16. For which value of x do the two expressions give the SAME result, making it look (misleadingly) like the student could be right?

7.Tom buys 2 notebooks and 6 pencils on Monday, priced at p pence each for a notebook and q pence each for a pencil. On Tuesday he buys 3 more notebooks and 1 more pencil. Write a simplified expression, in pence, for the total amount Tom has spent on notebooks and pencils.

8.A car accelerates uniformly from rest at 2.5 m/s² until it reaches a speed of 20 m/s, then travels at this constant speed for a further 30 seconds. Work out the total distance travelled.

9.Priya has a budget of £50 for a school trip. The coach costs £14 and each student ticket costs £4. Using the inequality 14 + 4s ≤ 50, work out the greatest number of student tickets, s, she can buy.

10.A rectangular lawn is 4 m longer than it is wide. Its area is 96 m². Work out the length of the lawn.

11.The formula for the volume of a cuboid is V = lwh, where l is the length, w is the width and h is the height. Make h the subject of the formula.

12.A circle has centre (0, 0) and equation x² + y² = 3721. The point (11, 60) lies on the circle. One of these is the gradient of the tangent to the circle at (11, 60). Work out which one.

13.Find the common ratio of the geometric sequence 5, 5√2, 10, 10√2, ... Give your answer in surd form.

14.A number machine multiplies its input by 2 and then subtracts 5. Work out the output when the input is 6.

15.An equation has exactly one value of x that makes it true, but an identity is true for every value of x. Which of these best explains why 3x + 5 = 20 is an equation rather than an identity?