Algebra worksheet — GCSE Higher

1.The first five terms of a quadratic sequence are 5, 8, 13, 20, 29. Work out the next term in the sequence.

2.The trapezium rule is used to estimate the area under a curve between x = 2 and x = 6. The curve is concave up (it curves upwards, like the inside of a bowl) throughout this interval. Which statement about the estimate is correct?

3.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.

4.A rectangular vegetable plot has an area of 30 m² and its length is 4 m greater than its width, x metres. This gives x² + 4x − 30 = 0, which can be solved using the iterative formula xₙ₊₁ = √(30 − 4xₙ). The starting value is x₀ = 3, so x₁ is the value after the formula has been used once. Work out x₃, and use it to find an estimate for the length of the plot, giving your answer correct to 1 decimal place.

5.The equation x² − x − 6 = 0 has roots x = 3 and x = −2. It can be rearranged as xₙ₊₁ = xₙ² − 6. This formula is used with starting value x₀ = 2.9, close to the root x = 3. Work out what happens to the sequence of values as n increases.

6.A zip-line runs from a platform 25 m high to a landing point 5 m high, over a horizontal distance of 40 m. Work out the gradient of the zip-line.

7.The graph of y = f(x) has a maximum turning point at (−1, 6). Write down the coordinates of the maximum turning point of the graph of y = f(x − 3).

8.Line C passes through (0, 0) and (4, 2). Line D passes through (0, 0) and (2, 2). Write down which of the two lines is the steeper.

9.A student uses the iterative formula xₙ₊₁ = √(7xₙ + 3) to find an approximate solution of an equation. Work out which equation this iterative formula solves.

10.A rectangle has width x cm. Its length is 3 cm more than its width. The perimeter of the rectangle is 38 cm. Form an equation and solve it to find x.

11.The point (5, −12) lies on the circle x² + y² = 169, which has centre (0, 0). Work out the equation of the tangent to the circle at (5, −12), giving your answer in the form y = mx + c.

12.Solve the simultaneous equations x + y = 1 and 2x + y = 5.

13.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.

14.A stack of firewood has 3 logs in the top layer. Each layer below has 4 more logs than the layer above it. Work out the number of logs in the 6th layer from the top.

15.A sequence begins at 60, and each term after that is found by subtracting 7 from the term before it. Work out the 5th term of the sequence.