Mathematics questions and answers

Mathematics Questions and Answers

How good are you with figures and formulas? Find out with these Mathematics past questions and answers. This Test is useful for both job aptitude test candidates and students preparing for JAMB, WAEC, NECO or Post UTME.

1.

Find the mean deviation of a set of numbers: 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19.

A.

2.5

B.

1.7

C.

1.5

D.

3.5

Correct answer is C

x̄ = \(\frac{ 14 + 15 + 16 +17 + 18 + 19}{6} = \frac{99}{6}\) = 16.5

M . D = \(\frac{ (14 - 16.5) + (15 - 16.5) + (16 - 16.5) + (17 - 16.5) + (18 - 16. 5) + (19 - 16.5) }{ 6}\)

M.D = \(\frac{(-2.5) + (-1.5) + (-0.5) + (0.5) + (1.5) + (2.5)}{6}\)

Taking the absolute value of the deviations

M.D = \(\frac{2.5 + 1.5 + 0.5 + 0.5 + 1.5 + 2.5}{6}\)

M.D = \(\frac{9}{6}\) = 1.5

2.

M varies jointly as the square of n and square root of q. If M = 24 when n = 2 and q = 4, find M when n = 5, q = 9.

A.

288

B.

400

C.

300

D.

225

Correct answer is D

\(M ∝ n^2\sqrt{q}\)

\(M = Kn^2\sqrt{q}\)

K = \(\frac{M}{n^2\sqrt{q}}\)

K = \(\frac{24}{2^2\sqrt4}\)

k = \(\frac{24}{8} = 3\)

Now, let's find M when  n = 5 and q = 9

M = \(Kn^2\sqrt{q}\)

M = \( 3\times5^2\sqrt9\)

\(M = 3\times25\times3\)

Therefore, M = 225.

3.

The diagonals of a rhombus are 16 cm and 12 cm find the length of the side.

A.

20cm

B.

8cm

C.

14cm

D.

10cm

Correct answer is D

In a rhombus, the diagonals are perpendicular bisectors of each other, and they bisect the angles of the rhombus. This means that a rhombus is essentially made up of four congruent right-angled triangles.
We can use the Pythagorean theorem to find the length of one side of the rhombus (s)
\(s^2 = 8^2 + 6^2\)
\(s^2 = 64 + 36\)
\(s^2 = 100\)
s = \(\sqrt{100}\) 
s =10 cm
So, the length of each side of the rhombus is 10 cm.

4.

If 2x - 3y = -11 and 3x + 2y = 3, evaluate \( (y - x)^2\)

A.

16

B.

25

C.

9

D.

4

Correct answer is A

2x - 3y = -11 --- (i)
3x + 2y = 3 --- (ii)
Multiply equation (i) by 3 and equation (ii) by 2
6x - 9y = -33 --- (iii)
6x + 4y = 6 --- (iv)
Subtract equation (iii) from (iv)
13y = 39

y = \(\frac{39}{13}\) = 3 

substitute (3) for y in equation (ii)
3x + 2(3) = 3
3x + 6 = 3
3x = 3 - 6
3x = -3
x  = \(\frac{-3}{3}\) = - 1

Now,
\((y - x)^2 = (3 - (-1))^2\)
= \((3 + 1)^2\)
= \(4^2\)
= 16

5.

A notebook of length 15 cm was measured to be 16.8 cm, calculate, correct to two d.p, the percentage error in the measurement.

A.

12.00%

B.

11.71%

C.

10.71%

D.

11.21%

Correct answer is A

Error = 16.8 - 15 = 1.8cm

% error = \(\frac{error}{ Actual value}\times 100%\)

=      \(\frac{1.8}{ 15}\times100%\)

=  \(0.12\times100%\)

   =   12.00%

6.

Find the gradient of the line passing through the points \((\frac{1}{2},  \frac{- 1}{3})  and  ( 3 , \frac{2}{3})\)

A.

\(\frac{2}{5}\)

B.

\(\frac{5}{2}\)

C.

\(\frac{2}{7}\)

D.

\(\frac{7}{2}\)

Correct answer is A

Gradient(slope) m = \(\frac{ y_2 - y_1}{ x_2 - x_1}\)

the points are  \((\frac{1}{2},  \frac{- 1}{3})  and  ( 3 , \frac{2}{3})\)

m = \(\frac{\frac{2}{3} - (\frac{-1}{3})}{3 - \frac{1}{2}}\)

=  \(\frac{\frac{2}{3} + \frac{1}{3}}{3 - \frac{1}{2}}\)

= \(1 \div\frac{5}{2}\) = \(1\times\frac{2}{5}\)           

Therefore, m = \(\frac{2}{5}\)

7.

Find the value of m in the diagram above.

A.

\(40^0\)

B.

\(50^0\)

C.

\(130^0\)

D.

\(140^0\)

Correct answer is C

∠EHI = ∠DEH = 40° (alternate angles are equal)
∠BEH = 90° (given)
∠BED = 90° - 40° = 50°
∠BEF = 180° - 50° = 130° (sum of angles on a straight line is 180o)
∠BEF = ∠ABE = 130° (alternate angles are equal)
∴ m = 130°

8.

In the diagram above, O is the centre of a circle NST. |NT| = |ST| and ∠NTS = 36°. Find the measure of the angle marked t.

A.

\(72^0\)

B.

\(54^0\)

C.

\(36^0\)

D.

\(108^0\)

Correct answer is C

t = ∠NTS (the angle between a tangent and a chord is equal to the angle in the alternate segment).

Therefore,  t = 36°

9.

The length of the diagonal of a square is 12 cm. Calculate the area of the square.

A.

\(36 cm^2\)

B.

\(48 cm^2\)

C.

\(72 cm^2\)

D.

\(18 cm^2\)

Correct answer is C

Let each side be l, then area = \(l^2\)

Using Pythagoras theorem


\(l^2 + l^2 = 12^2\)

\(2l^2 = 144\)

divide both sides by 2

\(l^2 = 72\)

Therefore, the Area of the square is \(72 cm^2\) 

10.

Find the quadratic equation whose roots are \(\frac{2}{3} and \frac{- 3}{4}\)

A.

\(12y^2 - y - 6 = 0\)

B.

\(12y^2 - y + 6 = 0\)

C.

\(12y^2 + y - 6 = 0\)

D.

\(y^2 + y - 6 = 0\)

Correct answer is C

Let p = \(\frac{2}{3}\) and q =  \(\frac{- 3}{4}\)

using (y - p)(y - q) = 0

= ( y -  \(\frac{2}{3})\)( y - (\(\frac{- 3}{4})) = 0\)

 =  (\( y -  \frac{2}{3})( y + \frac{3}{4})\) = 0

\( y^2 + \frac{3}{4}y - \frac{2}{3}y - \frac{6}{12} = 0 \)

\( y^2 + \frac{1}{12}y - \frac{1}{2}\) = 0

= multiply through by the l. c. m of 3 and 4 = 12

∴ the quadratic equation is  \(12y^2 + y - 6 = 0\)

 


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