# Exam-Style Questions on Algebra

## Problems on Algebra adapted from questions set in previous exams.

### 1.

GCSE Higher

(a) Solve $$\frac{6}{x} = 24$$.

(b) Solve $$11x - 5 = 9(x + 9)$$.

### 2.

GCSE Higher

The diagram shows an isosceles triangle (not drawn to scale).

Angle ABC = angle ACB, AB = $$3x+8$$ and AC = $$5x-7$$.

Use an algebraic method to find the value of $$x$$.

### 3.

GCSE Higher

The perimeter of the triangle is the same length as the perimeter of the square.

Find an expression for the length of one side of the square in terms of a. Give your answer in its simplest form.

### 4.

GCSE Higher

Aimee, Natasha and Ruby play hockey.

• Aimee has scored 6 more goals than Natasha.
• Ruby has scored 5 more goals than Aimee.

If altogether they have scored 35 goals, how many goals did they each score?

### 5.

GCSE Higher

Luke, Leia and Han swim lengths of a swimming pool to raise money for charity.

• Luke swims 20 more lengths than Han
• Leia swims twice as many lengths as Han
• Altogether they swim 232 lengths.

How many lengths did each person swim?

### 6.

GCSE Higher

Simplify then find the square root of this expression:

$$\frac{y}{(1-y)^2} - \frac{y}{1-y}$$

### 7.

GCSE Higher

Show that you understand equations and inequalities by answering the following:

(a) Solve $$5x^2=80$$

(b) Solve $$8x + 2 \gt x + 7$$

(c) Write down the largest integer that satisfies $$8x - 2 \lt 25$$

(d) Solve the following pair of equations

$$3x + 5y = 21$$ $$8x - 5y = 1$$

### 8.

IGCSE Extended

A circle is drawn inside a square so that it touches all four sides of the square.

(a) If the sides of the square are each $$k$$ mm in length and the area of the red shaded region is $$A$$ mm2 show that:

$$4A=4k^2-\pi k^2$$

(b) Make $$k$$ the subject of the formula $$4A=4k^2-\pi k^2$$

### 9.

GCSE Higher

One is added to the product of two consecutive positive even numbers. Show that the result is a square number.

### 10.

GCSE Higher

(a) Simplify the following expression.

$$\frac{x^2 - 4}{3x^2 + 13x + 14}$$

(b) Make b the subject of the following formula.

$$a = \frac{7(3b-c)}{b}$$

### 11.

GCSE Higher

Rätselzeit school has an annual sports day in which the mathematics teachers are in charge of the scoring system.

The points scored for throwing the discus are worked out using the formula:

$$p = 15(d – 4.2)$$

where $$p$$ is the number of points scored when the discus is thrown a distance of $$d$$ metres.

(a) How many points does Homer score for throwing the discus a distance of 52 metres?

(b) How far did Marge throw the discus if she scored 492 points?

The points scored for running 400 metres are worked out using the formula:

$$p = 6(95 – t)^2$$

where $$p$$ is the number of points scored when the time taken is $$t$$ seconds.

(c) Lisa scores 1014 points for the 400 metres race. Work out the time, in seconds, it took Lisa.

The formula for the number of points scored in the 400 metres race should not be used for $$t\gt n$$.

(d) State the value of $$n$$ giving a reason for your answer.

### 12.

GCSE Higher

Betsy thinks that $$(3x)^2$$ is always greater than or equal to $$3x$$.

Is she is correct?

Show your working to justify your decision

### 13.

GCSE Higher

Factorise the following expression

$$6x^2-x-15$$

### 14.

GCSE Higher

If $$y = 5x^4 + 3x^2$$ and $$x=\sqrt{w+2}$$, find $$w$$ when $$y = 12$$ showing each step of your working.

The exam-style questions appearing on this site are based on those set in previous examinations (or sample assessment papers for future examinations) by the major examination boards. The wording, diagrams and figures used in these questions have been changed from the originals so that students can have fresh, relevant problem solving practice even if they have previously worked through the related exam paper.

The solutions to the questions on this website are only available to those who have a Transum Subscription.

Exam-Style Questions Main Page

Search for exam-style questions containing a particular word or phrase:

To search the entire Transum website use the search box in the grey area below.

## Comments:

Do you have any comments? It is always useful to receive feedback and helps make this free resource even more useful for those learning Mathematics anywhere in the world. Click here to enter your comments.

For Students:

For All:

©1997-2018 WWW.TRANSUM.ORG