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 · 15 questions

MathsUKwww.geekhero.co.uk

1.The function f(x) = x² for all real values of x has no inverse function, but g(x) = x² for x ≥ 0 does have one. Which statement correctly explains this?
y = x²
(a)Restricting any domain always creates an inverse
(b)Squares can never be reversed, under any conditions
(c)g's outputs are positive; f's could be negative
(d)g is one-to-one: f(3) = f(−3), removed by x ≥ 0
2.A straight line has equation 4y = 12x + 20. Work out the gradient of the line.
y = 12x + 20
(a)12
(b)3
(c)20
(d)5
3.A proof that the product of two consecutive even numbers is always a multiple of 8 begins: Let the two consecutive even numbers be 2n and 2n + 2, so their product is 2n(2n + 2) = 4n(n + 1). Which line correctly completes the proof?
(a)4n(n + 1) is a multiple of 4, and because n and n + 1 are consecutive integers, it must be a multiple of 8.
(b)Expanding gives 4n(n + 1) = 4n² + 4n, which is clearly a multiple of 8.
(c)4n is always a multiple of 4 for any integer n, so 4n(n + 1) is a multiple of 4 as well, which means it is a multiple of 8.
(d)n and n + 1 are consecutive integers, so one of them must be even; this makes n(n + 1) even, so 4n(n + 1) is 4 × an even number, which is a multiple of 8.
4.A sequence has nth term 3n + 4. Two terms are missing from the list of its first five terms: 7, 10, _, 16, _. Work out the missing 3rd and 5th terms added together.
(a)28
(b)38
(c)32
(d)33
5.Solve the inequality 6.3x + 1.8 ≤ 40. Hence write down the greatest number with exactly one decimal place that satisfies the inequality.
(a)6.6
(b)6.1
(c)6.3
(d)6.0
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.
(a)28 m
(b)80 m
(c)52 m
(d)40 m
7.A car's fuel tank contains 50 litres when it starts a journey. After travelling for 2 hours, it contains 38 litres, and fuel is used at a constant rate. Work out the rate at which fuel is used, in litres per hour.
(a)44
(b)19
(c)6
(d)12
8.A speed-time graph for a car shows the speed increasing steadily from 5 m/s to 17 m/s over 6 seconds. Work out the acceleration of the car, in m/s².
(a)2 m/s²
(b)22 m/s²
(c)12 m/s²
(d)72 m/s²
9.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?
(a)Student A's — fewer strips means fewer rounding errors.
(b)Student B's — narrower strips fit the curve more closely.
(c)They are always the same; the trapezium rule is exact.
(d)Student A's — wider strips give a better average height.
10.A company's cost, in £, for producing x items is shown on a graph. The tangent to the curve at x = 50 passes through (30, 400) and (70, 800). Interpret the gradient of this tangent in the context of the company's costs.
(a)The cost decreases by about £10 per extra item
(b)The cost increases by about £400 per extra item
(c)The cost increases by about £0.10 per extra item
(d)The cost increases by about £10 per extra item
11.The first four terms of a sequence are 2, 2√3, 6, 6√3, ... Work out the next term.
(a)18
(b)12
(c)18√3
(d)12√3
12.Expand and simplify (2x − 1)(x + 5)(x − 2). Write down the coefficient of x in your answer.
(a)−13
(b)−23
(c)−20
(d)10
13.Simplify fully: (x + 2)/(3x) × 6x²/(x² − 4)
(a)2/(x − 2)
(b)2x/(x + 2)
(c)2x²/(x − 2)
(d)2x/(x − 2)
14.Solve the inequality 3x + 6 ≤ 0.
(a)x ≤ 2
(b)x ≤ −2
(c)x ≥ −2
(d)x ≤ −18
15.The table shows the speed, in m/s, of a car at times, in seconds, all 2 seconds apart: 0 at t = 0, 3 at t = 2, 8 at t = 4, 15 at t = 6, 24 at t = 8. A student uses the trapezium rule with these five readings to estimate the distance the car travels. By finding the second differences of the speed values, decide whether this trapezium estimate is an overestimate or an underestimate of the true distance.
(a)Underestimate — second differences are constant.
(b)Overestimate — the speed values are increasing.
(c)Underestimate — the curve bends upward (convex).
(d)Overestimate — the curve bends upward (convex).

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