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.

3,721.

A senatorial candidate had planned to visit seven cities prior to a primary election. However, he could only visit four of the cities. How many different itineraries could be considered?

A.

640

B.

840

C.

520

D.

920

Correct answer is B

Number of itineraries = 7P4
=\(\frac{7!}{(7-4)!}\\
=\frac{7!}{3!}\\
=\frac{7 \times 6 \times 5 \times 4 \times 3!}{3!}\\
=840\)

3,722.

In a basket, there are 6 grapes, 11 bananas and 13 oranges. If one fruit is chosen at random. What is the probability that the fruit is either a grape or a banana

A.

6/30

B.

5/30

C.

17/30

D.

11/30

Correct answer is C

Total fruits 6 + 11 + 13 = 30,

prob. (Grape) = \(\frac{6}{30}\)

prob. (Banana) = \(\frac{11}{30}\)

= \(\frac{11}{30}\) + \(\frac{6}{30}\) = \(\frac{17}{30}\)

3,723.
3,724.

How many terms of the series 3, -6, +12, - 24, + ..... are needed to make a total of 1-28?

A.

12

B.

10

C.

9

D.

8

Correct answer is C

3, -6, +12, -24
a = 3, r = -2
\(8n = \frac{a(1-r^n)}{1-r}\\
∴1-2^8 = \frac{3(1-(-2^{n-1}))}{1-(-2)}\\
1-2^8 = \frac{3(1-(-2^{n-1}))}{3}\)
1-28 = 1-(-2)n-1
-28 = -2n-1
8 = n-1
n = 9

3,725.

If y = x\(^2\) - x - 12, find the range of values of x for which y \( \geq \) 0

A.

x < -3 0r x > 4

B.

x \( \leq \) -3 or x \( \geq \) 4

C.

-3 < x \( \geq \) 4

D.

-3 \( \leq \) x \( \leq \) 4

Correct answer is B

y = x\(^2\) - x - 12
= (x - 4)(x + 3)
∴ x = 4 or x = -3
Checking the cases for y \( \geq \) 0
We check values on the range x - 4 \(\geq\) 0; x + 3 \(\leq\) 0; x - 4 \(\leq\) 0 and x + 3 \(\geq\) 0 for the range which satisfies the inequality x\(^2\) - x - 12 \(\geq\) 0.

We find that the inequality is satisfied on the range x \(\leq\) -3 and x \(\geq\) 4.