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.Harry will spend at most £150 on a party. The cake costs £60 and each helium balloon costs £3. Solve an inequality to find all the possible numbers of balloons, x, that he can buy.
(a)x ≥ 30
(b)x ≤ 50
(c)x ≤ 90
(d)x ≤ 30
2.A student is asked whether 3(x − 4) = 3x − 4 is an identity. Which statement gives the correct verdict and reason?
(a)It is an identity, because both sides begin with the term 3x, so they must be equivalent.
(b)It is not even an ordinary equation with a solution: expanding the left-hand side gives 3x − 12, and 3x − 12 = 3x − 4 would require −12 = −4, which is never true.
(c)It is not an identity, because the student forgot to multiply the 4 by 3 on both sides of the equation.
(d)It is not an identity, because the student needs to substitute a specific value of x before comparing the two sides.
3.The equation x² + 2x − 5 = 0 can be solved using the iterative formula xₙ₊₁ = 5/(xₙ + 2). The starting value is x₀ = 1, so x₁ is the value after the formula has been used once. Work out x₂ correct to 2 decimal places.
(a)1.36
(b)1.49
(c)1.37
(d)1.67
4.A cycle route is 84 km long. Freya sets off along it at a steady 14 km/h. Write down the function for the distance y, in kilometres, that is still to be cycled after x hours.
(a)y = 84 + 14x
(b)y = 84 − 14x
(c)y = 14 − 84x
(d)y = 14x − 84
5.A circular running track is modelled on a grid whose centre is the origin, where each unit represents 1 metre. A floodlight at the point (30, 40) stands on the edge of the track. A second floodlight stands on the edge of the track at the point (0, k), where k is positive. Work out the value of k.
(a)40
(b)70
(c)50
(d)2500
6.The diagram shows part of the graph of a reciprocal function of the form $y = \frac{k}{x}$ , passing through the labelled point. Work out the value of k.
(a)5
(b)6
(c)9
(d)1.5
7.A water butt holds 200 litres and is being drained at a steady 8 litres per minute. Write down the function for the amount of water y, in litres, left after x minutes.
(a)y = 200x − 8
(b)y = −8x − 200
(c)y = 200 − 8x
(d)y = 8x + 200
8.f(x) = x² − 1 and g(x) = 3x. Work out fg(4).
y = x² − 1
(a)36
(b)143
(c)11
(d)45
9.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)
10.Work out the maximum value of y = sin x, and the smallest positive value of x, in degrees, at which it occurs.
y = sin(x)
(a)1 at x = 180°
(b)1 at x = 90°
(c)90 at x = 1
(d)1 at x = 0°
11.A sequence is defined by aₙ = aₙ₋₁ + aₙ₋₂ for n ≥ 3. Given that a₃ = 11 and a₅ = 29, work out a₁.
(a)4
(b)3
(c)7
(d)18
12.Point P has coordinates (2, −5). P is reflected in the x-axis to point Q. Write down the coordinates of Q.
(a)(2, −5)
(b)(−2, 5)
(c)(2, 5)
(d)(−2, −5)
13.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
14.Which of these equations represents the graph of y = 2ˣ translated by 3 units in the positive y-direction?
(a)y = 2ˣ + 3
(b)y = 2ˣ⁺³
(c)y = 2ˣ − 3
(d)y = 2(x + 3)
15.Line L has equation y = 3x + 1. Which of these lines is perpendicular to L?
y = 3x + 1
(a)y = (1/3)x + 2
(b)y = −(1/3)x + 2
(c)y = −3x + 2
(d)y = 3x − 4

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