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 curve y = 2x² − 12x + 7 has a minimum point. By completing the square, find the value of x at which the minimum occurs.
y = 2x² − 12x + 7
(a)6
(b)−3
(c)−12
(d)3
2.A cyclist's speed rises from rest to a maximum — quickly at first, then more and more slowly — so her speed-time graph is a curve that is concave down (its gradient decreases as time goes on). A trapezium estimate is made for the distance travelled during this phase, using two points on the curve. Is the trapezium estimate an overestimate or an underestimate of the true distance, and why?
(a)Underestimate: the chord lies below the curve
(b)Overestimate: the trapezium rule always overestimates
(c)Exact: a trapezium and a curve enclose equal areas
(d)Overestimate: the chord lies above the curve
3.Solve the simultaneous equations 2x + y = 7 and x − y = 2.
(a)x = 1, y = 3
(b)x = 3, y = 2
(c)x = 3, y = 1
(d)x = 3, y = −1
4.Three consecutive integers add up to 72. Using n for the smallest integer, form an equation and solve it to find the smallest of the three integers.
(a)25
(b)24
(c)21
(d)23
5.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
6.A number, w, satisfies the statement "three times w, minus 5, is at least 16". Which of these is the correct inequality for w?
(a)3(w − 5) ≥ 16
(b)3w − 5 ≥ 16
(c)3w − 5 > 16
(d)3w − 5 ≤ 16
7.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
8.The first five terms of a sequence are 7, 9, 13, 19, 27. By finding the second difference, work out the coefficient of n² in the nth term.
(a)2
(b)1
(c)4
(d)0.5
9.The graph of y = sin x is reflected in the x-axis to give the graph of y = g(x). Work out the value of g(90), where x is measured in degrees.
y = sin(x)
(a)−1
(b)1
(c)−0.5
(d)0
10.The equation x³ − 5x − 3 = 0 can be rearranged to give an iterative formula of the form xₙ₊₁ = ∛(…). Work out which one of these is a correct rearrangement.
(a)xₙ₊₁ = ∛(5xₙ + 3)
(b)xₙ₊₁ = ∛(5xₙ − 3)
(c)xₙ₊₁ = (5xₙ + 3) ÷ 3
(d)xₙ₊₁ = ∛(3xₙ + 5)
11.The equation x³ + 4x − 9 = 0 is to be solved by iteration. Work out which one of these iterative formulas comes from a correct rearrangement of that equation.
(a)xₙ₊₁ = (9 + xₙ³)/4
(b)xₙ₊₁ = ∛(9 − 4xₙ³)
(c)xₙ₊₁ = ∛(9 − 4xₙ)
(d)xₙ₊₁ = ∛(9 + 4xₙ)
12.Explain why the equation 4x + 3 = 4x + 10 has no solution for x.
(a)Subtracting 4x gives 3 = 10, which is never true.
(b)x would have to be negative, but x must be positive.
(c)It's true for every x, so there are infinite solutions.
(d)x = 7, since 10 − 3 = 7.
13.Write down the expression that means 5 more than half of n.
(a)(n + 5)/2
(b)5n/2
(c)2n + 5
(d)n/2 + 5
14.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.
(a)16
(b)9
(c)8
(d)12
15.A distance-time graph is a straight line from (0, 0) to (4, 100), where time is in hours and distance is in kilometres. Work out the gradient of the line.
(a)25
(b)400
(c)0.04
(d)100

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