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Mathematics past questions: WAEC SSCE 2024

50 objective questions, with answers. Free to read and practise.

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50 questions, one at a time, marked as you go or at the end. No account needed.

  1. 1.
    A car valued at $ 600,000.00 depreciates by 10% each year. What will be the value of the car at the end of two years?
    1. A.$ 120,000.00
    2. B.$ 480,000.00
    3. C.$ 486,000.00
    4. D.$ 540,000.00
    Show answer

    Answer: C $ 486,000.00

  2. 2.
    A cliff on the bank of a river 87 m high. A boat on the river is 22 m away from the cliff. Calculate, correct to the nearest degree, the angle of depression of the boat from the top of the cliff.
    1. A.76 \(^o\)
    2. B.64 \(^o\)
    3. C.36 \(^o\)
    4. D.24 \(^o\)
    Show answer

    Answer: A 76 \(^o\)

  3. 3.
    A cone and a cylinder are of equal volume. The base radius of the cone is twice the radius of the cylinder. What is the ratio of the height of the cylinder to that of the cone?
    1. A.5: 4
    2. B.4: 3
    3. C.3: 2
    4. D.3: 4
    Show answer

    Answer: B 4: 3

  4. 4.
    A cylindrical metallic barrel of height 2.5m and radius 0.245 is closed at one end. Find, correct to one decimal place, the total surface area of the barrel (Take π = \(\frac{22}{7}\) )
    1. A.2.1 m \(^2\)
    2. B.3.5 m \(^2\)
    3. C.4.0 m \(^2\)
    4. D.9.4 m \(^2\)
    Show answer

    Answer: C 4.0 m \(^2\)

  5. 5.
    A die is tossed once. Find the probability of getting a prime number.
    1. A.\(\frac{1}{2}\)
    2. B.\(\frac{1}{6}\)
    3. C.\(\frac{1}{3}\)
    4. D.\(\frac{2}{3}\)
    Show answer

    Answer: A \(\frac{1}{2}\)

  6. 6.
    A ladder 15 m long leans against a vertical pole, making an angle of 72º with the horizontal. Calculate, correct to one decimal place, the distance between the foot of the ladder and the pole.
    1. A.15.8 m
    2. B.14.3 m
    3. C.4.9 m
    4. D.4.6 m
    Show answer

    Answer: D 4.6 m

  7. 7.
    A number is added to both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction \(\frac{1}{8}\) if the result is \(\frac{1}{2}\) , find the number.
    1. A.3
    2. B.4
    3. C.5
    4. D.6
    Show answer

    Answer: D 6

  8. 8.
    A piece of rod of length 44 m is cut to form a rectangular shape such that the ratio of the length to the breadth is 7: 4. Find the breath.
    1. A.8m
    2. B.14m
    3. C.16m
    4. D.24m
    Show answer

    Answer: A 8m

  9. 9.
    A trader gave a change of # 540.00 instead of # 570.00 to a customer. Caculate the percentage error.
    1. A.5 \(\frac{5}{19}\) %
    2. B.5 \(\frac{5}{9}\) %
    3. C.5 \(\frac{7}{19}\) %
    4. D.5 \(\frac{7}{9}\) %
    Show answer

    Answer: A 5 \(\frac{5}{19}\) %

  10. 10.
    A variable W varies partly as M and Partly inversely as P. Which of the following correctly represents the relation with k \(_1\) and k \(_2\) constants?
    1. A.W = \(\frac{k_1M}{k_2P}\)
    2. B.W = ( \(k_1 + k_2\) ) \(\frac{\text{M}}{\text{P}}\)
    3. C.W = k \(_1\) M + \(\frac{k_2}{P}\)
    4. D.W = (k \(_1 + k_2\) )M + P
    Show answer

    Answer: C W = k \(_1\) M + \(\frac{k_2}{P}\)

  11. 11.
    Consider the following statements: m = Edna is respectful n = Edna is brilliant, If m ⇒ n, which of the following is valid?
    1. A.¬n ⇒ ¬m.
    2. B.¬m ⇒ ¬n.
    3. C.n ⇒ ¬m.
    4. D.m ⇒ n.
    Show answer

    Answer: A ¬n ⇒ ¬m.

  12. 12.
    Express in index form: log \(_a^x\) + log \(_a^y\) = 3
    1. A.x + y = 3
    2. B.xy = 3
    3. C.xy = a \(^3\)
    4. D.x + y = a \(^3\)
    Show answer

    Answer: C xy = a \(^3\)

  13. 13.
    Factorize completely: 27x \(^2\) - 48y \(^2\)
    1. A.3(3x + 4y)(3x - 4y)
    2. B.3(3x + 4y)(3x + 4y)
    3. C.3(9x - 16y)(9x + 16y)
    4. D.3(9x - 16y)(9x - 16y)
    Show answer

    Answer: A 3(3x + 4y)(3x - 4y)

  14. 14.
    Find the quadratic equation whose roots are \(\frac{2}{3}\) and - 1
    1. A.3x \(^2\) - x - 2 = 0
    2. B.3x \(^2\) + x + 2 = 0
    3. C.3x \(^2\) + x - 2 = 0
    4. D.3x \(^2\) + x - 1 = 0
    Show answer

    Answer: C 3x \(^2\) + x - 2 = 0

  15. 15.
    Find the range of the following set of numbers: 28, 29, 39, 38, 33, 37, 26, 20, 15, and 25.
    1. A.22
    2. B.24
    3. C.25
    4. D.27
    Show answer

    Answer: B 24

  16. 16.
    Find the sum for which $ 1,250.00 will amount to $ 2,031.25 at 12.5% per annum simple interest.
    1. A.2 years
    2. B.3 years
    3. C.4 years
    4. D.5 years
    Show answer

    Answer: D 5 years

  17. 17.
    Find the value of x in the diagram above.
    Diagram for this question
    1. A.120º
    2. B.100º
    3. C.60º
    4. D.150º
    Show answer

    Answer: A 120º

  18. 18.
    Find, correct to the nearest whole number, the value of h in the diagram above.
    Diagram for this question
    1. A.15 m
    2. B.22 m
    3. C.23 m
    4. D.18 m
    Show answer

    Answer: C 23 m

  19. 19.
    For what values of x is \(\frac{x - 3}{4}\) + \(\frac{x + 1}{8}\) \(\geq\) 2 ?
    1. A.x \(\geq\) 5
    2. B.x \(\geq\) 6
    3. C.x \(\geq\) 7
    4. D.x \(\geq\) 8
    Show answer

    Answer: C x \(\geq\) 7

  20. 20.
    For what values of y is \(\frac{y + 2}{8y^2 - 10y + 3}\) not defined?
    1. A.\(\frac{-3}{4}\) , \(\frac{1}{2}\)
    2. B.\(\frac{-3}{4}\) , \(\frac{-1}{2}\)
    3. C.\(\frac{3}{4}\) , \(\frac{1}{2}\)
    4. D.\(\frac{3}{4}\) , \(\frac{-1}{2}\)
    Show answer

    Answer: C \(\frac{3}{4}\) , \(\frac{1}{2}\)

  21. 21.
    Four of the angles of a hexagon sum up to 420º. If the remaining angles are equal, find the value of each of the angles.
    1. A.60 \(^O\)
    2. B.100 \(^O\)
    3. C.120 \(^O\)
    4. D.150 \(^O\)
    Show answer

    Answer: D 150 \(^O\)

  22. 22.
    Gifty, Justina, and Frank shared 60 oranges in the ratio 5: 3: 7 respectively. How many oranges did Justina receive?
    1. A.16
    2. B.12
    3. C.20
    4. D.28
    Show answer

    Answer: B 12

  23. 23.
    Given that P = {p: 1< p < 20}, where p is an integer and R = {r : 0 \(\leq\) r \(\leq\) 25, where r is a multiple of 4}. Find P ∩ R
    1. A.{4, 8, 10, 16}
    2. B.{4, 8, 12, 16}
    3. C.{4, 8, 12, 16, 20}
    4. D.{4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24}
    Show answer

    Answer: B {4, 8, 12, 16}

  24. 24.
    Given that P is 25 m on a bearing of 330º from Q, how far south of P is Q?
    1. A.25.2 m
    2. B.21.7 m
    3. C.19.8 m
    4. D.18.5 m
    Show answer

    Answer: B 21.7 m

  25. 25.
    If (3 - 4 \(\sqrt{2}\) )(1 + 3 \(\sqrt{2}\) ) = a + b \(\sqrt{2}\) , find the value of b
    1. A.-5
    2. B.5
    3. C.-21
    4. D.21
    Show answer

    Answer: B 5

  26. 26.
    If 3x - 2y = - 5 and x + 2y = 9, find the value of \(\frac{x - y}{x + y}\)
    1. A.\(\frac{5}{3}\)
    2. B.\(\frac{3}{5}\)
    3. C.\(\frac{-3}{5}\)
    4. D.\(\frac{-5}{3}\)
    Show answer

    Answer: C \(\frac{-3}{5}\)

  27. 27.
    If log \(_3^{2x - 1}\) = 5, find the value of x
    1. A.8
    2. B.16
    3. C.64
    4. D.122
    Show answer

    Answer: D 122

  28. 28.
    In the diagram \(\overline{TU}\) is a tangent to the circle SPQR at P. If \(\angle\) PTS = 44º, \(\angle\) SQP = 35º, find \(\angle\) PST
    Diagram for this question
    1. A.101º
    2. B.125º
    3. C.130º
    4. D.135º
    Show answer

    Answer: A 101º

  29. 29.
    In the diagram above, \(\overline{MN} || \overline{KL}\) , \(\overline{ML}\) and \(\overline{KN}\) intersect at X. | \(\overline{MN}\) | = 12cm, | \(\overline{MX}\) | = 10cm and | \(\overline{MN}\) | = 9cm. If the area of \(\triangle\) MXN is 16cm \(^2\) , calculate the area of \(\triangle\) LXK
    Diagram for this question
    1. A.9cm \(^2\)
    2. B.8cm \(^2\)
    3. C.10cm \(^2\)
    4. D.12cm \(^2\)
    Show answer

    Answer: A 9cm \(^2\)

  30. 30.
    In the diagram above, \(\overline{PQ}\) || \(\overline{RS}\) , \(\angle\) WYZ = 44º and \(\angle\) WXY = 50º. Find \(\angle\) WTX
    Diagram for this question
    1. A.65º
    2. B.68º
    3. C.86º
    4. D.90º
    Show answer

    Answer: C 86º

  31. 31.
    In the diagram above, < SQR = 52º and < PRT = 16º. Find the value of the angle marked y
    Diagram for this question
    1. A.64 \(^0\)
    2. B.68 \(^0\)
    3. C.112 \(^0\)
    4. D.128 \(^0\)
    Show answer

    Answer: C 112 \(^0\)

  32. 32.
    In the diagram above, JKL is a tangent to the circle GHIK at K. Find the value of the angle marked x
    Diagram for this question
    1. A.93º
    2. B.55º
    3. C.42º
    4. D.23º
    Show answer

    Answer: B 55º

  33. 33.
    In the diagram above, O is the centre of the circle. If | \(\overline{OA}\) = 25 cm and | \(\overline{AB}\) = 40 cm, find | \(\overline{OH}\) |
    Diagram for this question
    1. A.15 cm
    2. B.20 cm
    3. C.25 cm
    4. D.30 cm
    Show answer

    Answer: A 15 cm

  34. 34.
    Make R the subject of the relation V = πl(R \(^2\) - r \(^2\) )
    1. A.R = \(\sqrt{\frac{V}{πl} + r^2}\)
    2. B.R = \(\sqrt{\frac{V}{πl} - r^2}\)
    3. C.R = \(\sqrt{V - πlr^2}\)
    4. D.R = \(\sqrt{V + πlr^2}\)
    Show answer

    Answer: A R = \(\sqrt{\frac{V}{πl} + r^2}\)

  35. 35.
    Multiply 3.4 x 10 \(^{-5}\) by 7.1 x 10 \(^8\) and leave the answer in standard form.
    1. A.2.414 x 10 \(^2\)
    2. B.2.414 x 10 \(^3\)
    3. C.2.414 x 10 \(^4\)
    4. D.2.414 x 10 \(^5\)
    Show answer

    Answer: C 2.414 x 10 \(^4\)

  36. 36.
    Simplify: (2p - q) \(^2\) - (p + q) \(^2\)
    1. A.3p(p - 2q)
    2. B.2p(p - 3q)
    3. C.3p(2p - q)
    4. D.2p(3p - q)
    Show answer

    Answer: A 3p(p - 2q)

  37. 37.
    The area of a sector of a circle with radius 7cm is 51.3 cm \(^2\) . Calculate, correct to the nearest whole number, the angle of the sector. (Take \(\pi\) = \(\frac{22}{7}\) )
    1. A.60 \(^0\)
    2. B.120 \(^0\)
    3. C.150 \(^0\)
    4. D.150 \(^0\)
    Show answer

    Answer: B 120 \(^0\)

  38. 38.
    The first term of an Arithmetic Progression (A.P) is 2 and the last term is 29. If the common difference is 3, how many terms are in the A.P.?
    1. A.8
    2. B.9
    3. C.10
    4. D.11
    Show answer

    Answer: C 10

  39. 39.
    The following are the masses (in kg) of members in a club: 59, 44, 53, 49, 57, 40, 48, and 50. Calculate the mean mass.
    1. A.44 kg
    2. B.50 kg
    3. C.40 kg
    4. D.53 kg
    Show answer

    Answer: B 50 kg

  40. 40.
    The following are the masses (in kg) of members in a club: 59, 44, 53, 49, 57, 40, 48, and 50. Calculate the variance of the distribution.
    1. A.35
    2. B.36
    3. C.40
    4. D.50
    Show answer

    Answer: A 35

  41. 41.
    The fourth and eighth terms of an Arithmetic Progression are 16 and 40 respectively. Find the common difference.
    1. A.- 6
    2. B.6
    3. C.-2
    4. D.2
    Show answer

    Answer: B 6

  42. 42.
    The gradient of the line joining the points P(2, -8) and Q(1, y) is -4. Find the value of y
    1. A.2
    2. B.4
    3. C.-4
    4. D.-3
    Show answer

    Answer: C -4

  43. 43.
    The interior angle of a regular polygon is 168º. Find the number of sides of the polygon.
    1. A.24
    2. B.30
    3. C.15
    4. D.12
    Show answer

    Answer: B 30

  44. 44.
    The length and breadth of a cuboid are 15 cm and 8 cm respectively. If the volume of the cuboid is 1560 cm \(^3\) , calculate the total surface area.
    1. A.976cm \(^2\)
    2. B.838cm \(^2\)
    3. C.792cm \(^2\)
    4. D.746cm \(^2\)
    Show answer

    Answer: B 838cm \(^2\)

  45. 45.
    The number 1621 was subtracted from 6244 in base x. If the result was 4323, find x.
    1. A.Seven
    2. B.Eight
    3. C.Nine
    4. D.Ten
    Show answer

    Answer: A Seven

  46. 46.
    The perimeter of a rectangular garden is 90 m. If the width is 7 m less than the length, find the length of the garden.
    1. A.19 m
    2. B.23 m
    3. C.24 m
    4. D.26 m
    Show answer

    Answer: D 26 m

  47. 47.
    The population of a town increases by 3% every year. In the year 2000, the population was 3000. Find the population in the year 2003.
    1. A.3,182
    2. B.3,278
    3. C.6,591
    4. D.7,515
    Show answer

    Answer: B 3,278

  48. 48.
    The probability that Amaka will pass an examination is \(\frac{3}{7}\) and that Bala will pass is \(\frac{4}{9}\) . Find the probability that both will pass the examination.
    1. A.\(\frac{2}{21}\)
    2. B.\(\frac{4}{21}\)
    3. C.\(\frac{5}{21}\)
    4. D.\(\frac{9}{21}\)
    Show answer

    Answer: B \(\frac{4}{21}\)

  49. 49.
    Two opposite sides of a rectangle are (5x + 3) m and (2x + 9) m. If an adjacent side is (6x - 7) m, find in m \(^2\) , the area of the rectangle.
    1. A.45
    2. B.65
    3. C.125
    4. D.165
    Show answer

    Answer: B 65

  50. 50.
    Which of the following points lies on the line 3x - 8y = 11?
    1. A.(1, 1)
    2. B.(1, -1)
    3. C.(-1, 1)
    4. D.(-1, -1)
    Show answer

    Answer: B (1, -1)

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