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 line y = 3x + 6 meets the x-axis at one point. Work out the coordinates of that point.
y = 3x + 6
(a)(2, 0)
(b)(−2, 0)
(c)(6, 0)
(d)(0, 6)
2.The formula for the energy stored in a stretched spring is E = (1/2)kx², where E is in joules, k is the spring constant in N/m and x is the extension in m. A spring with a spring constant of 40 N/m is stretched so that its extension is 0.3 m. Work out the energy stored in the spring.
(a)1.8
(b)72
(c)3.6
(d)6
3.The discriminant of a quadratic equation is greater than zero. Which statement about the solutions of that equation is correct?
(a)It has two whole-number solutions
(b)It has one repeated real solution
(c)It has two different real solutions
(d)It has no real solutions at all
4.The graph of y = cos x is transformed onto the graph of y = cos(x − 90°). State the direction of the translation and which standard graph the image is.
y = cos(x)
(a)Positive x-direction, 90°; image is y = sin x.
(b)Negative x-direction, 90°; image is y = sin x.
(c)Positive x-direction, 90°; image is y = −sin x.
(d)Positive y-direction, 90°; image is y = sin x.
5.A straight line passes through the points (2, 7) and (5, 16). Work out the value of y when x = 0.
(a)1
(b)−1
(c)3
(d)4
6.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
7.A cup of tea cools after being made. Its temperature-time graph is a curve. Three tangents are drawn on the graph: at t = 2 minutes the tangent has gradient −8; at t = 10 minutes the tangent has gradient −3; at t = 20 minutes the tangent has gradient −0.5. Which of these statements about the tea's cooling is correct?
(a)Fastest at t = 20 min — largest gradient.
(b)Cools at the same rate throughout.
(c)Fastest at t = 2 min — steepest gradient.
(d)Fastest at t = 10 min — the middle reading.
8.A line has equation y = −4x + 1. Work out the equation of the line perpendicular to it that passes through the point (0, 3).
y = -4x + 1
(a)y = −4x + 3
(b)y = (−1/4)x + 3
(c)y = 4x + 3
(d)y = (1/4)x + 3
9.Describe a sequence of two transformations that maps the graph of y = x² onto the graph of y = −(x − 5)².
y = x²
(a)Reflect in the y-axis, then translate +5 in x.
(b)Translate +5 in x, then reflect in the x-axis.
(c)Translate −5 in x, then reflect in the x-axis.
(d)Translate +5 in y, then reflect in the x-axis.
10.A speed-time graph shows a constant speed of 15 m/s for 20 seconds. Work out the distance travelled, using the area under the graph.
(a)7.5 m
(b)1.33 m
(c)35 m
(d)300 m
11.Tom is asked to classify the statement 5(2x − 3) = 10x − 15. Which statement about it is correct?
(a)An equation, since it has an equals sign and unknown x.
(b)An identity, since both sides are equal for every x.
(c)A formula, since it relates two different quantities.
(d)An inequality, since the sides are equal sometimes.
12.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
13.Solve the inequality x² ≥ 16, giving your answer using set notation.
(a){x : x ≤ 4}
(b){x : x ≥ 4}
(c){x : x ≤ −4} ∪ {x : x ≥ 4}
(d){x : −4 ≤ x ≤ 4}
14.Solve (3x + 2)/5 = (x + 4)/3
(a)x = 3.5
(b)x = 4.5
(c)x = 10
(d)x = 1
15.The formula y = x² + 1 gives y in terms of x. Work out the value of y when x = −2.
y = x² + 1
(a)−3
(b)1
(c)5
(d)4

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