WAEC Mathematics practice questions
Ten objective questions in the style of WAEC WASSCE Paper 1, covering indices, standard form, equations, logarithms, percentages, statistics and probability. Each one has a worked solution.
Original questions written by Studoli tutors in the style of the WAEC (WASSCE) exam. They are not official past questions.
Topic: Indices
1. Simplify (2³ × 2⁴) ÷ 2⁵.
Solution
B. 4
- Add the powers when multiplying: 2³ × 2⁴ = 2⁷.
- Subtract when dividing: 2⁷ ÷ 2⁵ = 2².
- 2² = 4.
Topic: Standard form
2. Express 0.000356 in standard form.
Solution
A. 3.56 × 10⁻⁴
- Move the decimal point 4 places to the right to get 3.56.
- Moving right for a small number gives a negative power: 3.56 × 10⁻⁴.
Topic: Linear equations
3. Solve 3x − 7 = 2x + 5.
Solution
B. x = 12
- Subtract 2x from both sides: x − 7 = 5.
- Add 7 to both sides: x = 12.
Topic: Logarithms
4. Evaluate log₁₀ 1000 + log₁₀ 0.01.
Solution
A. 1
- log₁₀ 1000 = 3 because 10³ = 1000.
- log₁₀ 0.01 = −2 because 10⁻² = 0.01.
- 3 + (−2) = 1.
Topic: Ratio and angles
5. The angles of a triangle are in the ratio 2 : 3 : 4. Find the largest angle.
Solution
C. 80°
- The angles of a triangle add up to 180°.
- Total parts: 2 + 3 + 4 = 9, so one part is 180° ÷ 9 = 20°.
- Largest angle: 4 × 20° = 80°.
Topic: Percentages
6. A trader buys an item for ₦2,000 and sells it for ₦2,500. Find the percentage profit.
Solution
B. 25%
- Profit = 2,500 − 2,000 = ₦500.
- Percentage profit = 500 ÷ 2,000 × 100 = 25%.
- Always divide by the cost price.
Topic: Statistics
7. Find the mean of 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12.
Solution
B. 8
- Sum: 4 + 6 + 8 + 10 + 12 = 40.
- There are 5 numbers: 40 ÷ 5 = 8.
Topic: Factorisation
8. Factorise x² − 9.
Solution
C. (x − 3)(x + 3)
- x² − 9 is a difference of two squares: x² − 3².
- a² − b² = (a − b)(a + b), so x² − 9 = (x − 3)(x + 3).
Topic: Simple interest
9. Calculate the simple interest on ₦5,000 at 4% per annum for 3 years.
Solution
B. ₦600
- Simple interest = P × R × T ÷ 100.
- 5,000 × 4 × 3 ÷ 100 = ₦600.
Topic: Probability
10. A fair die is thrown once. Find the probability of getting a number greater than 4.
Solution
B. 1/3
- Numbers greater than 4: 5 and 6, so 2 favourable outcomes.
- Total outcomes: 6.
- Probability = 2/6 = 1/3.
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