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.Simplify (2x² + 7x + 3) ÷ (x² − 9), giving your answer as a single fraction.
(a)(2x + 1)/(x + 3)
(b)(2x + 1)/(x − 3)
(c)2x + 1
(d)(2x + 3)/(x − 3)
2.A geometric sequence has first term 4 and common ratio √2. Work out the sum of the first three terms of the sequence, giving your answer in the form a + b√2.
(a)12 + 4√2
(b)36 + 4√2
(c)4 + 12√2
(d)8 + 4√2
3.A tree is 2 metres tall. Each year its height increases by 10% of its height at the start of that year. Work out the height of the tree after 3 years, giving your answer to 1 decimal place.
(a)2.6
(b)2.9
(c)2.4
(d)2.7
4.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
5.The equation x² − 4x − 1 = 0 can be solved using the iterative formula xₙ₊₁ = √(4xₙ + 1). The starting value is x₀ = 1, so x₁ is the value after the formula has been used once. Work out x₂ correct to 3 decimal places.
(a)2.236
(b)2.435
(c)3.153
(d)4.464
6.Expand and simplify (x + 1)(x + 2)(x + 3).
(a)x³ + 6x² + 11x + 5
(b)x³ + 6x² + 6x + 6
(c)x³ + 5x² + 11x + 6
(d)x³ + 6x² + 11x + 6
7.Which expression means 'y squared, multiplied by 3'?
(a)3y²
(b)y³
(c)(3y)²
(d)3 + y²
8.Solve 7x − 5 = 3x + 11
(a)−4
(b)1.5
(c)0.6
(d)4
9.Ben writes n + 4 ≤ 9. Which statement describes what Ben has written? Give a reason for your answer.
(a)An equation, because solving it gives the value of n
(b)An identity, because it is true for many values of n
(c)A formula, because it works out n from 9
(d)An inequality, because ≤ compares the two sides
10.The iterative formula xₙ₊₁ = 5 − 3/xₙ is used with starting value x₀ = 2.5, so that x₁ is the value after the formula has been used once. Work out x₄ correct to 3 significant figures.
(a)3.80
(b)4.29
(c)4.30
(d)2.50
11.A graph has equation y = −2x² + 5. Which statement about its shape is correct?
y = -2x² + 5
(a)It is U-shaped, since x² is always positive.
(b)It is a straight line, because of the constant term +5.
(c)It repeatedly rises and falls, like a wave shape.
(d)It is n-shaped, since the x² coefficient is negative.
12.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
13.The line y = 2x + 7 and the circle x² + y² = 4 are given. By finding the discriminant of the resulting quadratic, without solving it fully, work out how many points the line and the circle intersect at.
y = 2x + 7
(a)0 — the line does not intersect the circle
(b)It cannot be found without solving the quadratic.
(c)1 — the line is a tangent to the circle
(d)2 — the line crosses the circle at two points
14.Which of these is a factor of 15x + 20?
(a)5
(b)3
(c)4
(d)10
15.A theatre has rows of seats arranged so that row 1 has 12 seats, row 2 has 17 seats, row 3 has 22 seats and row 4 has 27 seats, with each row having 5 more seats than the row before. Work out an expression, in terms of n, for the number of seats in row n.
(a)5n + 2
(b)5n + 12
(c)5n + 7
(d)7n + 5

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