JAMB Mathematics Past Questions & Answers - Page 419

2,091.

if (x - 1), (x + 1) and (x - 2) are factors of the polynomial ax3 + bx2 + cx - 1, find a, b, c in that order.

A.

-1/2, 1., 1/2

B.

1/2, 1, 1/2

C.

1/2, 1, -1/2

D.

1/2, -1, 1/2

Correct answer is A

This is a polynomial of the 3rd order, thus x should have three answers. Use the factors given to get values of x as 1, -1 and -2.

Form three equations, and carry out elimination and subsequent substitution to get a = -1/2, b = 1, and c = 1/2

2,092.

Evaluate (1/2 - 1/4 + 1/8 - 1/16 + ...) - 1

A.

2/3

B.

zero

C.

-2/3

D.

-1

Correct answer is C

S = a/(1-r), where a = 1/2, r = -1/2.

S = 1/2 3/2 = 1/2 x 3/2 = 1/3.
1/3 - 1 = -2/3

2,093.

Find the inverse of p under the binary operation * defined by p*q = p + q - pq, where p and q are real numbers and zero is the identity

A.

p

B.

p -1

C.

p/(p-1)

D.

p/(p+1)

Correct answer is C

If P-1 is the inverse of P and O is the identity, Then P-1 * P = P * P-1 = 0
i.e. P-1 + P - P-1.P = 0
P-1 - P-1.P = -P
P-1(1 - P) = -P
P-1 = -P/(P-1)
= P/(P-1)

2,094.

The 3rd term of an A.P is 4x - 2y and the 9th term is 10x - 8y. Find the common difference.

A.

19x - 17y

B.

8x - 4y

C.

x - y

D.

2x

Correct answer is C

n = 3, U\(_3\) = 4x - 2y,
U\(_n\) = a + (n-1)d,
4x - 2y = a + 2d... (1)

U\(_9\) = 10x - 8y,
10x - 8y = a + 8d... (2)

Solving (1) and (2),

subtract eqn i from ii

a-a + 8d - 2d = 10x -4x - 8y- (-2y)
6d = 6x - 8y+ 2y.
6d= 6x - 6y
6d = 6( x-y)

d = x - y
 

 

2,095.

A binary operation * is defined by a * b = a\(^b\). If a * 2 = 2 - a, find the possible values of a.

A.

1, -1

B.

1, 2

C.

2, -2

D.

1, -2

Correct answer is D

a * b = a\(^b\)

a * 2 = a\(^2\) = 2 - a

a\(^2\) + a - 2 = 0

a\(^2\) + 2a - a - 2 = 0

a(a+2) - 1(a+2) = 0

(a-1)(a+2) = 0

a = 1, -2