WAEC Further Mathematics Past Questions & Answers - Page 144

716.

If \(x^{2} - kx + 9 = 0\) has equal roots, find the values of k.

A.

3, 4

B.

±3

C.

±5

D.

±6

Correct answer is D

For equal roots, we have that \(b^{2} = 4ac\), so, given a=1, b = -k and c = 9,

\((-k)^{2} = 4\times1\times9 \implies k^{2} = 36\)

\(k = \sqrt{36} = \pm6\)

717.

Simplify \(\frac{1}{(1-\sqrt{3})^{2}}\)

A.

\(1- \frac{1}{2}\sqrt{3}\)

B.

\(1+ \frac{1}{2}\sqrt{3}\)

C.

\(\sqrt{3}\)

D.

\(1+\sqrt{3}\)

Correct answer is B

\(\frac{1}{(1-\sqrt{3})^{2}}\) 

\((1-\sqrt{3})^{2} = (1-\sqrt{3})(1-\sqrt{3})\)

\(1 - 2\sqrt{3} + 3 = 4 - 2\sqrt{3}\)

\(\frac{1}{4-2\sqrt{3}}\)

After rationalising (multiplying the denominator and numerator with \(4+2\sqrt{3}\), we have

\(\frac{4+2\sqrt{3}}{4} = 1 + \frac{1}{2}\sqrt{3}\)

718.

A binary operation \(\Delta\) is defined on the set of real numbers, R, by \(a \Delta b = \frac{a+b}{\sqrt{ab}}\), where a\(\neq\) 0, b\(\neq\) 0. Evaluate \(-3 \Delta -1\).

A.

\(-4\sqrt{3}\)

B.

\(\frac{-4\sqrt{3}}{3}\)

C.

\(\frac{-3\sqrt{3}}{4}\)

D.

\(\frac{-3\sqrt{3}}{4}\)

Correct answer is B

\(a \Delta b\) = \(\frac{a+b}{\sqrt{ab}}\)

\(-3\Delta -1\) = \(\frac{-3 + -1}{\sqrt{-3\times -1}}\)

\(\frac{-4}{\sqrt{3}}\), rationalising, we have

\(\frac{-4 \times \sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{3}\times \sqrt{3}} = \frac{-4\sqrt{3}}{3}\)

719.

If \(log_{y}\frac{1}{8}\) = 3, find the value of y.

A.

-2

B.

-\(\frac{1}{2}\)

C.

\(\frac{1}{2}\)

D.

2

Correct answer is C

\(log_{y}\frac{1}{8} = 3 \implies y^{3} = \frac{1}{8}\) (Laws of logarithm)

\(y^{3} = \frac{1}{2^{3}} = (\frac{1}{2})^{3}\)

Equating both sides, we have

\(y = \frac{1}{2}\)