WAEC Further Mathematics Past Questions & Answers - Page 134

666.

The general term of an infinite sequence 9, 4, -1, -6,... is \(u_{r} = ar + b\). Find the values of a and b

A.

a = 5, b = 14

B.

a = -5, b = 14

C.

a = 5, b = -14

D.

a = -5, b = -14

Correct answer is B

The terms of the sequence can be written as : \(u_{r} = ar + b\) in this case, being that they have a regular common difference for each of the r terms.

We can rewrite the sequence as \(a + b, 2a + b, 3a + b,...\) where a is the common difference of the sequence and b is a given constant gotten by solving

\(a + b = 9\) or \(2a + b = 4\) or any other one. 

The common difference here is 4 - 9 = -1 - 4 = -5.

\(-5 + b = 9 \implies b = 9 + 5 = 14\)

\(\therefore\) The equation can be written as \(u_{r} = -5r + 14\).

667.

Find the coefficient of \(x^{3}\) in the binomial expansion of \((x - \frac{3}{x^{2}})^{9}\).

A.

324

B.

252

C.

-252

D.

-324

Correct answer is A

\(x - \frac{3}{x^{2}} = x - 3x^{-2}\)

Let the power on x be t, so that the power on \(x^{-2}\) = 9 - t

\((x)^{t}(x^{-2})^{9 - t} = x^{3}  \implies t - 18 + 2t = 3\)

\(3t = 3 + 18 = 21 \therefore t = 7\)

To obtain the coefficient of \(x^{3}\), we have

\(^{9}C_{7}(x)^{7}(3x^{-2))^{2} = \frac{9!}{(9 - 7)! 7!}(x)^{7}(9x^{-4})\)

= \(\frac{9 \times 8 \times 7!}{7! 2!} \times 9(x^{3}) = 324x^{3}\)

668.

Solve \(\log_{2}(12x - 10) = 1 + \log_{2}(4x + 3)\)

A.

4.75

B.

4.00

C.

1.75

D.

1.00

Correct answer is B

\(\log_{2}(12x - 10) = 1 + \log_{2}(4x + 3)\)

Recall, \( 1 = \log_{2}2\), so

\(\log_{2}(12x - 10) = \log_{2}2 + \log_{2}(4x + 3)\)

= \(\log_{2}(12x - 10) = \log_{2}(2(4x + 3))\)

\(\implies (12x - 10) = 2(4x + 3) \therefore 12x - 10 = 8x + 6\)

\(12x - 8x = 4x = 6 + 10 = 16 \implies x = 4\)

669.

If \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\) are the roots of the equation \(2x^{2} + 5x + n = 0\), such that \(\alpha\beta = 2\), find the value of n.

A.

-4

B.

-2

C.

2

D.

4

Correct answer is D

An equation can be written as \(x^{2} - (\alpha + \beta)x + (\alpha\beta) = 0\)

Making the coefficient of \(x^{2}\) = 1 in the given equation, we have

\(x^{2} + \frac{5}{2}x + \frac{n}{2} = 0\)

Comparing, we have \(\alpha\beta = \frac{n}{2} = 2 \implies n = 4\)

670.

Resolve \(\frac{3x - 1}{(x - 2)^{2}}, x \neq 2\) into partial fractions.

A.

\(\frac{x}{2(x - 2)} - \frac{5}{(x - 2)^{2}}\)

B.

\(\frac{5}{(x - 2)} + \frac{x}{2(x - 2)^{2}}\)

C.

\(\frac{1}{2(x - 2)} + \frac{5x}{2(x- 2)^{2}}\)

D.

\(\frac{-1}{2(x - 2)} + \frac{8x}{2(x - 2)^{2}}\)

Correct answer is C

\(\frac{3x - 1}{(x - 2)^{2}} = \frac{A}{(x - 2)} + \frac{Bx}{(x - 2)^{2}}\)

\(\frac{3x - 1}{(x - 2)^{2}} = \frac{A(x - 2) + Bx}{(x - 2)^{2}}\)

Comparing, we have

\(3x - 1 = Ax - 2A + Bx  \implies -2A = -1;  A + B = 3\)

\(\therefore A = \frac{1}{2}; B = \frac{5}{2}\)

= \(\frac{1}{2(x - 2)} + \frac{5x}{2(x - 2)^{2}}\)