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 circle has equation x² + y² = 49. Work out the coordinates of the point(s) on the circle where the tangent is horizontal.
(a)(0, 7) and (0, −7)
(b)(7, 0) and (−7, 0)
(c)(7, 0) only
(d)(0, 7) only
2.Factorise fully 56x − 24
(a)8(7x − 16)
(b)8(56x − 3)
(c)8(7x + 3)
(d)8(7x − 3)
3.Line L has equation y = 3x − 2. Work out the gradient of a line perpendicular to L.
y = 3x − 2
(a)−1/3
(b)1/3
(c)3
(d)−3
4.Tom buys 2 notebooks and 6 pencils on Monday, priced at p pence each for a notebook and q pence each for a pencil. On Tuesday he buys 3 more notebooks and 1 more pencil. Write a simplified expression, in pence, for the total amount Tom has spent on notebooks and pencils.
(a)5p + 7q
(b)5p + 6q
(c)2p + 7q
(d)12pq
5.f(x) = x³ − 3x − 20, and the equation f(x) = 0 has exactly one solution. Work out the pair of consecutive integers between which that solution lies.
y = x
(a)2 and 3
(b)3 and 4
(c)4 and 5
(d)6 and 7
6.A straight line has gradient −3 and passes through the point (0, 1). Work out the value of y when x = 2.
(a)7
(b)−5
(c)5
(d)−7
7.The graph of y = f(x) passes through the point (2, 7). The graph of y = f(x) + a passes through the point (2, 3). Work out the value of a.
(a)4
(b)10
(c)−4
(d)3
8.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
9.The point (18, 24) lies on the circle x² + y² = 900, which has centre (0, 0). The tangent to the circle at (18, 24) crosses the y-axis at the point Q. Work out the y-coordinate of Q.
(a)900
(b)50
(c)37.5
(d)1.25
10.An arithmetic sequence has first term 40 and common difference −6. Work out the 9th term of the sequence.
(a)−14
(b)−2
(c)−8
(d)88
11.A student says that (x + 4)² is equivalent to x² + 16. For which value of x do the two expressions give the SAME result, making it look (misleadingly) like the student could be right?
(a)x = 4
(b)x = −4
(c)x = 0
(d)x = 8
12.Describe the single transformation that maps the graph of y = x² onto the graph of y = x² + 3.
y = x²y = x² + 3
(a)A translation by vector (0, 3)
(b)A translation by vector (0, −3)
(c)A translation by vector (3, 0)
(d)A stretch parallel to the y-axis, scale factor 3
13.A hot air balloon is at a height of 20 m and rises at a steady rate. After 4 minutes it is at a height of 52 m. Work out the rate at which the balloon rises, in metres per minute.
(a)8
(b)32
(c)5
(d)13
14.Solve x² − 2x − 24 = 0.
(a)x = 6 or x = −4
(b)x = −6 or x = 4
(c)x = −8 or x = 3
(d)x = −6 or x = −4
15.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.

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