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.A candidate solves the inequality x² > 9 and writes: "x² > 9, so x > 3." Which of these is a correct comment on the candidate's work?
(a)Wrong — the correct solution is −3 < x < 3.
(b)Right, but x = −3 and x = 3 should also work.
(c)Right — square rooting both sides gives x > 3.
(d)Wrong — the correct solution is x < −3 or x > 3.
2.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)
3.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.
4.Write down the coordinates of the point where the line y = 2x + 4 crosses the y-axis.
y = 2x + 4
(a)(4, 0)
(b)(−2, 0)
(c)(0, 2)
(d)(0, 4)
5.A circle has centre (0, 0) and equation x² + y² = 50. Work out the length of the diameter of the circle, correct to 1 decimal place.
(a)100.0
(b)25.0
(c)14.1
(d)7.1
6.A quadratic graph y = ax² + bx + c has its turning point on the y-axis. Which statement about its roots must be true?
(a)The two roots must both be positive.
(b)The graph has no roots at all.
(c)The graph must touch the x-axis at exactly one point.
(d)If the graph has two real roots, they are equal and opposite in value, so they sum to zero.
7.The graph of y = x² + 2x − 15 crosses the x-axis at two points. By factorising, work out the x-coordinates of these two points.
y = x² + 2x − 15
(a)x = −3 and x = 5
(b)x = 5 and x = 3
(c)x = 3 and x = −5
(d)x = −15 and x = 1
8.The nth term of a geometric sequence is given by aₙ = 3 × 2ⁿ⁻¹. Work out the position of the first term that is greater than 1,000.
(a)9
(b)10
(c)1,536
(d)11
9.A person's body mass index is given by the formula B = m ÷ h², where m is the mass in kg and h is the height in metres. Work out B, to 1 decimal place, when m = 68 and h = 1.6.
(a)42.5
(b)2890.0
(c)26.6
(d)26.5
10.Work out the equation of the straight line that passes through (−2, 3) and (4, −9).
(a)y = −2x − 1
(b)y = −2x + 1
(c)y = −(1/2)x + 2
(d)y = 2x + 7
11.A closed cylinder has radius r cm and height (r + 5) cm. Its volume is 300 cm³, giving the equation πr²(r + 5) = 300, which can be solved using the iterative formula rₙ₊₁ = √(300 ÷ (π(rₙ + 5))). Taking r₀ = 3, work out r₃ correct to 2 decimal places.
(a)3.45
(b)3.38
(c)3.36
(d)4.82
12.Solve the simultaneous equations y = 2x − 1 and y = x² − x − 1, giving both pairs of solutions.
y = 2x − 1y = x²
(a)x = 0, y = −1 and x = −3, y = −7
(b)x = 0, y = −1
(c)x = −2, y = −5 and x = 1, y = 1
(d)x = 0, y = −1 and x = 3, y = 5
13.The first five terms of a quadratic sequence are 6, 11, 18, 27, 38. Work out an expression, in terms of n, for the nth term.
(a)2n² + 2n + 3
(b)n² + 2n + 3
(c)n² + 3
(d)n² + 2n
14.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.
15.The solution set of a quadratic inequality is {x : x ≤ −3} ∪ {x : x ≥ 5}. Which of these inequalities has this solution set?
(a)x² − 8x + 15 ≥ 0
(b)x² + 2x − 15 ≥ 0
(c)x² − 2x − 15 ≥ 0
(d)x² − 2x − 15 ≤ 0

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