General Mathematics Paper 2, May/June 2009

Disclaimer - These questions and answers were taken from WAEC website and I am not in any way responsible for the correctness of the information or copyright. This is to help intending WAEC students have a downloadable copies of past WAEC exam questions and solutions.

Question 1
(a) Given that ( (b) -5 )( + )=a+b , find a and b. = 82 3y, find y. 2y + 2 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________ If 21 y x 2y 1

Observation
The part (a) of this question was well attempted. It involved the expansion of the expression and comparing the coefficients. It did not pose much problems to the candidates. Candidates were able to expand the expression to get 3-5 + - 10 which with a little computation gave a = -7 and b = -4. However many candidates expanded but did not compare the coefficients. In part (b) of the question, the fundamental laws of indices were required to solve this problem. They were to express the right hand side of the equation in powers of 2 and equate the coefficients of both sides to get y= 1. Most candidates did well in this question but there were a significant number who were not able to apply the laws correctly.

Question 2
(a) If 9 cos x 7 = 1 and 0 x 90, find x. (b) Given that x is an integer, find the three greatest values of x which satisfy the inequality 7x < 2x 13.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
The part (a) of the question was on trigonometry and required the use of tables. Rearranging the equation results in cos x = 0.8889 and from the Mathematical Tables, it showed x = 27.27o. Most of the candidates scored above average in the question. In part (b), Candidates were able to solve the expression but were unable to get the three greatest integers required. On solving the inequality, 7x 2x < -13 gave x < -23/5. The three greatest integers were -3, -4 and -5.

Question 3
The table shows the number of children per family in a community.

0 No. of children No. of families 3

1 5

2 7

3 4

4 3

5 2

(a) Find the: (i) Mode; (ii) third quartile; (iii) probability that a family has at least 2 children. (b) If a pie chart were to be drawn for the data, what would be the sectoral angle representing families with one child?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
The performance of most of the candidates who attempted this question were found to be satisfactory. They were able to determine the mode which was 2. They obtained the number of at least 2 children to be 16. Therefore the probability of at least 2 children = = . The number of families with one child = 5 hence the required sectoral

angle = x 360 = 75. However, a good number of the candidates while calculating the 3rd quartile obtained the position of the third quartile i.e. 3rd quartile = x 24 = 18th position but failed to obtain the third quartile which was 3.

Question 4
(a)Out of 30 candidates applying for a post, 17 have degrees, 15 diplomas and 4 neither degree nor diploma. How many of them have both? (b) In triangle PQR, M and N are points on the sides PQ and PR respectively such that MN is parallel to QR. If <PRQ=75o, PN = QN and <PNQ = 125o, determine (i) <NQR; (ii) <NPM> _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
The part (a) of this question was reported to be well attempted and candidates performance was said to be commendable. They were able to obtain the equation 15 + y y + 17 y + 4 = 30 which gave y = 6. It was also reported that candidates general performance in part (b) was not as high as it was in part (a). Majority of the candidates could not draw the diagram correctly. Some candidates mistook corresponding angles for alternate angles. They were expected to draw the diagrams as shown

From the diagram, <MNP = <NRQ = 75 (corresponding angles as MN is parallel to QR). Therefore <MNQ = 125 75 = 50. <NQR = <MNQ = 50 (alternate angles, MN//QR). <NPM = (180 125)/2 (base angles of isosceles triangle PNQ) which gives <NPQ = 27.5.

Question 5

In the diagram, ABCDEF is a triangular prism. <ABC = <DEF = 90, /AB/ = 24cm, /BC/ = 7cm and /CD/ = 40cm.Calculate: (a) /AC/; (b)The total surface area of the prism.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
Answering the question required the basic idea of areas of plane/compound shapes. Many candidates could not identify the various faces of the prism hence could not solve the problem. The prism had 3 rectangular faces and 2 triangular faces. Candidates were to find the areas of the respective faces and add them together to get the required surface area = 2408cm2. Some candidates viewed the prism as having only 4 faces and hence could not get the correct answer.

Question 6
(a)If log5 = 0.6990, log7 = 0.8451 and log8 = 0.9031, evaluate:

log(

).

(b) For a musical show, x children were present. There were 60 more adults than children. An adult paid D5 and a child D2. If a total of D1280 was collected, calculate the (i) value of x; (ii) ratio of the number of children to the number of adults; (iii) average amount paid per person; (iv) percentage profit if the organizers spent D720 on the show. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
Candidates performance in part (a) of the question was said to be satisfactory. They exhibited a good understanding of the theories of logarithms and were able to apply them correctly. They were able to express the figures in terms of 5, 7 and 8 thus: log ( ) = log( ) which on applying the laws of logarithms gives 4log 7 = 0.8451 = 3.3804. 4x

In the part (b), candidates performance was reportedly fair. A good number of them were able to get the equation 2x + 5(x + 60) = 1280. Solving it gave x = 140. The ratio was given by percentage profit = = 7:10. Average cost = = D3.76. The

x 100 = 77.8%.

Question 7
(a) A woman looking out from the window of a building at a height of 30m, observed that the angle of depression of the top of a flag pole was 44. If the foot of the pole is 25m from the foot of the building and on the same horizontal ground, find, correct to the nearest whole number, the (i) angle of depression of the foot of the pole from the woman; (ii)height of the flag pole. (b)

In the diagram, O is the centre of the circle, <OQR = 32 and <TPQ = 15. Calculate: (i) <QPR; (ii) <TQO. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
This question was reported to be quite unpopular among the candidates, and candidates performance in it was said to be generally poor. Part (a) tested candidates knowledge of angle of elevation and depression. The main problem with majority of the candidates who attempted the question was on getting the diagram. They therefore scored very low marks. The correct diagram was as shown below:

From the diagram, tan x = Similarly,

= 1.2. Hence x = tan -1(1.2) = 50.

= tan 44, therefore, h = 30 - 25tan 44 = 6m to the nearest metre.

In part (b), candidates were expected to apply some circle theorems to solve the problem. Many of them could not apply these theorems correctly. For instance <QOR = (180 2(32)) = 116 (sum of the angles of an isosceles triangle OQR).Hence <QPR = = 58 (angle at the centre is twice angle at the circumference) and <TQO = 180 32 <QRP 15 (opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateralQTPR) = 75.

Question 8
The marks scored by 50 students in a Geography examination are as follows: 60 44 46 65 71 (a) 50 69 59 58 51 40 39 40 74 26 67 32 52 47 36 53 45 61 40 38 73 58 48 59 70 37 48 23 68 46 55 67 60 51 40 62 39 59 50 51 43 51 47 50 42

Using class intervals 21 30, 31 40, prepare a frequency distribution table. (b) Calculate the mean mark of the distribution.

(c) What percentage of the students scored more than 60%? _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
This question was attempted by many candidates and they scored high marks in it. However, some of the candidates could not get the percentage number of candidates who scored more than 60 marks. A few others drew histogram that was not required.

Class I interval 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80

Class mark (x) Tally 25.5 35.5 45.5 55.5 65.5 75.5 11 1111 1111 1111 1111 11 1111 1111 1111 1111 111 111

Frequency (f) 2 10 12 15 8 3 50

Fx 51 355 546 832.5 524 226.5 2535

Mean = 22%.

=50.7. The percentage number of students who scored more than 60 marks = 11/50 x 100 =

Question 9
Simplify x + 2 x-2 - x+3 x-1

(a)The graph of the equation y = A x2 + B x + C passes through the points (0, 0), (1, 4) and (2, 10). Find the: (i) value of C; (ii) values of A and B; (iii) co-ordinates of the other point where the graph cuts the xaxis. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
The part (a) of this question attracted majority of the candidates. However, many of them were unable to get the L.C.M. A few others cross multiplied both sides of the minus sign. They were expected to use (x - 2)(x - 1) as L.C.M and obtained (x+2(x-1) (x+3)(x-2) (x - 2) (x 1) = 4 (x - 2)(x - 1)

In part (b), candidates performance was fair. However, majority of the candidates appeared not to be familiar with coordinate of points on a graph. To find point C, candidates were expected to use x = 0 and y = 0 to get c = 0. Similarly, substituting 1 for x and 4 for y as well as 2 for x and 10 for y gives two equations in A and B i.e. A + B = 4; 4A + 2B = 10. Solving these equations simultaneously gave A = 1, B = 3, which gave the equation as y = x2 + 3x. To get the 2nd point of intersection with the x axis, put y = 0, in the equation to get x2 + 3x = 0. Solving this equation gave x = -3, Thus the required point = (-3, 0)

Question 10
(a)Using ruler and a pair of compasses only, construct: (i) quadrilateral PQRS such that /PQ/ = 10cm, /QR/ = 8cm, /PS/ = 6cm, PQR = 60 and QPS = 75; (ii) the locus 11 of points equidistant from QR and RS; (iii) locus 12 of points equidistant from R and S. (b) Measure /RS/ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ______

Observation
As usual, majority of the candidates did not attempt this question. However, the few who attempted the question performed well. They were able to construct the required angles and line segments.

Question 11
(a) A circle is inscribed in a square. If the sum of the perimeter of the square and the circumference of the circle is 100 cm, calculate the radius of the circle. [Take p = ]

(b) A rope 60cm long is made to form a rectangle. If the length is 4 times its breadth, calculate, correct to one decimal place, the (i) length; (ii) diagonal of the rectangle.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
In part (a), majority of the candidates could not translate the question into a meaningful diagram. Others who were able to draw it took the length of the square to be r instead of 2r hence they lost some marks. Perimeter of the square = 8r, circumference of the circle = 2pr. Thus 2pr + 8r = 100 i.e. + 8r = 100 r = 7cm.

It was reported that majority of the candidates did not attempt the part (b). Some of them who attempted it could not manipulate the algebraic expressions involved. Since the length was said to be four times the breadth, it means that if the breadth = b, then length (L) = 4b. The perimeter was given as 60cm.Therefore, perimeter= 2(L + b) = 2 (4b+b) = 10b = 60. Solving this gave b = 6cm. Hence, length (L) = 6 x 4 = 24cm. Diagonal = 242+62) = 24.7cm.

Question 12
(a)Copy and complete the table of values for y = sin x + 2 cos x, correct to one decimal place.

X Y

0 30 2.2

60

90

120 150 -1.2

180 -2.0

210

240 -1.9

(b) Using a scale of 2 cm to 30 on the x axis and 2 cm to 0.5 units on the y-axis, draw the graph of y = sin x + 2cos x for 0 x 240 (c) Use your graph to solve the equation: (i) sin x + 2cos x = 0; (ii) sin x = 2.1 2cos x. (d) From the graph, find y when x = 171. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
This was another question where candidates performance was reported to be very poor. Majority of them could not complete the table of values correctly. The few who drew the graph correctly could not read from it. More work should be done by teachers on this area of the syllabus. The expected the table is as shown:

X Y

0 2.0

30 2.2

66 1.9

90 1.0

120 -0.1

130 -1.2

180 -2.0

210 -2.2

240 -1.9

They were also expected to use the given scale and the table to draw the graph, locate the line y = 2.1 and use it to solve the equation, sin x = 2.1 2cos x, to obtain x = 9, 45. When x = 171, y = 1.75.

Question 13
(a)How many numbers between 75 and 500 are divisible by 7? (b) The 8th term of an Arithmetic progression (A.P.) is 5 times the third term while the 7th term is 9 greater than the 4th term. Write the first five terms of the A.P. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
This question posed quite some problems for a good number of candidates who attempted it. In the part (a), some candidates could not recognise the problem, as an A.P. problem. A good number of them counted these numbers out and thereby wasted time. They were expected to recognize the first number divisible by 7 as the first term of the A.P. (i.e. 77) and the last number (497) as the last term and substitute these values in the formula Tn = a+ (n1)d (where Tn = value of the nth term, a = first term, d = common difference and n = required term) i.e. a = 77, d = 7, Tn = 497 and after a little computation yields n, the required number to be equal to 61. In part (b) some candidates were able to compare the 3rd term with the 8th term to obtain the equation a + 7d = 5(a + 2d) but could not get the second equation a + 6d = a + 3d + 9. Some others were able to obtain d = 3 by solving the 2nd equation correctly but could not obtain the value of a nor the required 5 terms. From the second equation, bringing the like terms together gave 3d = 9. Hence, d = 3.Similarly, from the first equation, 4a = - 3d. Substituting 3 for d in the equation gave 4a = -3(3) = -9. Therefore, a = - 9/4. The first .five terms of the AP were -9/4, , 15/4, 22/4, 39/4.

General Mathematics Paper 2, May/June 2010

Disclaimer - These questions and answers were taken from WAEC website and I am not in any way responsible for the correctness of the information or copyright. This is to help intending WAEC students have a downloadable copies of past WAEC exam questions and solutions.

Question 1
A = {2, 4, 6, 8}, B = {2, 3, 7, 9} and C = {x: 3 < x < 9} are subsets of the universal-set U = {2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}. Find (a) A n(B'nC'); (b) (AuB) n(BuC). _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
This question was reportedly attempted by majority of the candidates and their performance was described as satisfactory. Many of them lost some marks because they failed to use curly brackets to enclose the elements of the sets. A good number of the candidates were also reported not to have listed the elements of set C hence, were not able to find its complement while others did not separate the elements of a set with comas. Candidates were expected to list the elements of C i.e. C = {4, 5,6, 7, 8}, obtain the compliments of the sets Band C thus B' = {4,5,6, 8}, C' = {2, 3, 9,}. Using these sets, the following procedures were to be followed: (a)(B' nC') = { } Hence An (B' n C') = { }. Some candidates were reported to have written { 0 } instead of { } or 0. (b) (A u B) = { 2, 3,4,6, 7, 8, 9 }, (BuC) = {2, 3, 4,5,6, 7, 8, 9 } Therefore { Au B } n (BuC) = { 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 }.

Question 2
(a) The angle of depression of a boat from the mid-point of a vertical cliff is 35. If the boat is 120 m from the foot of the cliff, calculate the height of the cliff. (b) Towns P and Q are x km apart. Two motorists set out at the same time from P to Q at steady speeds of 60 km/hand 80 km/h. The faster motorist got to Q 30 minutes earlier than the other. Find the value of x. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
This question was also reported to have been attempted by majority of the candidates. Furthermore, the report stated that in part (a), majority of the candidates could not draw the diagram correctly and this affected their performance significantly. A few others were unable to apply the trigonometric ratios correctly. Candidates were expected to draw the diagram. From the diagram, I FMI :: 120 tan 35 = 84.02m. Therefore the height of the cliff:: 2 x 84.02 = 168.04. In part (b), the most observed weakness was their inability to convert from minutes to hours. They were expected to recall that time :: distance (i.e. t:: ~) and apply this to the problem. speed v Time taken by faster motorist ~ while that of the other motorist = ~ where x is the distance 60 80 from P to Q. - - - = Y2 (30 rnlnutes Y2 hr). Simplifying this expression gave x = 120km.
60 80 Xx

Candidates' responses to this question were reported to be generally below average.

Question 3
(a) In the diagram, L PQR = 125, LQRS = r, LRST = 800 and LSTU = 44. Calculate the value of r b) .

In the diagram, TS is a tangent to the circle at A. ABI ICE, LAEC = sx", LADB = 60 and LTAE = xo. Find the value of x", _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
Part (a) of this question required that candidates drew straight lines, one each passing through points Sand R and parallel to PQ and UT as shown in the diagram below but the report stated that majority of the candidates did not.From the diagram, LMQR = LQRN = 180 -125 = 55 ( alternate angles), LVST = 44 (alternate angle to LSTU). Therefore LNRS = LVSR = 80 - 44 = 360 Hence, r = 55 + 36 = 91 In part (b), candidates' performance was reported to be worse than part (a). Candidates were reported to have exhibited poor understanding of circle theorems. Teachers were encouraged to do a lot of work in this area.

From the diagram, LBDA = LBAS = 600 (angles in the alternate segment). LBAE = 180 - 5x (adjacent angles on a transversal). Therefore LBAS + LBAE + LEAT = 60 + 180 - 5x + x = 180 (angles on a straight line). Solving this simple equation gave x = 150. Candidates' performance this question was described as poor.

Question 4

The diagram shows a cone with slant height 10.5 cm. If the curved surface area of the cone is 115.5 cm;, calculate, correct to 3 significant figures, the: (a)base radius, r; (b)height, h; (c)volume of the cone. [Taken= 22] 7 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
This question was reported as one of the questions where candidates performed very well. They showed good understanding of mensuration of right circular cones as they were able to apply relevant formulae and majority of them obtained full marks. The curved surface area, iu! = 115.5cm, slant height,l= 10.scm, n = ll, hence r = 115.5 7nl = 11.5 x 7 = 3.S0cm. r2 + h2 = (10.5}2 => h = .J(10.5)2 - (3.5)2 = 9.90cm 22 x 10.5 Volume of cone = .1 x 22 x 3.5 x 9.899 == 127 cm 37 1 A good number of the candidates were however reported to have lost some marks, especially the A marks, because they did not give their answers in 3 significant figures as required by the question.

Question 5
Two fair dice are thrown. M is the event described by "the sum of the scores is 10" and N is the event described by "the difference between the scores is 3". (a) Write out the elements of M and N. (b) Find the probability of M or N. (c) Are M and N mutually exclusive? Give reasons. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
This question was reported to be popular and well attempted by majority of the candidates. However, a few of them did not list the elements of M and N as required but drew the sample space when 2 dice are thrown. Some of them who listed these elements did not do so completely. Majority of them were reported not to be able to state correctly the condition for which events are mutually exclusive. Candidates were expected to show that M = { (4,6) , (5,5), (6,4}. N = { (1,4), (2,5), (3,6), (4,1), (5,2), (6,3) }. Probability of M = 3/36 = 1/12. Probability of N = 6/36 = 1/6. Probability of Nor M:1/12 + 1/6 = 1/4. M and N are mutually exclusive because no element is common to both sets. Thus the two events cannot happen at the same time i.e. n(M n N) = O. It was also reported that while listing the elements of N, some candidates would list (1,4) but not (4,1).

Question 6
(a) The scale of a map is 1:20,000. Calculate the area, in square centimetres, on the map of a forest reserve which covers 85 km, (b) A rectangular playing field is 18 m wide. It is surrounded by a path 6m wide such that its area is equal to the area of the path. Calculate the length of the field. (c]

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
Candidates' performance in part (a) was reported to be poor. A good number of them were reported not to have attempted this part of the question. They were expected to recall that lkm = 100,000 ern, therefore 1km2 = 1km x 1km = 100,000 x 100,000 = 10,000 000,OOOcm2 2 85km = 850,000,000,000 cm. 20,000 em on the ground = 1 cm on the map, hence 400,000,000 cm on the ground = 1 cm2850,000,000,000 = 2125 cm2 on the map. 400,000,000 In part (b), candidates' performance was said to be better than it was in part (a). However, many candidates did not draw the diagram correctly and so were not able to solve the problem. From the diagram, area of path = 2(30 x 6) + 12a = 360 + 12a. Area of field = 18a. Since they are equal, 18a = 12a + 360. This gave a = 60 m. In part (c), candidates' performance was described as fair. However, some candidates did not see the reflex angle as 360 - x, hence, did not subtract their final answer from 360 when they had calculated the value of the reflex angle. Here, 360 - x x 22x Z x Z = 27.5 cm2 360 7 22 This meant that 360 - x = 360 x 2 x 27.5 from where we obtain x = 103 to the nearest degree 77

Question 7
(a) The scale of a map is 1:20,000. Calculate the area, in square centimetres, on the map of a forest reserve which covers 85 km", (b) A rectangular playing field is 18 m wide. It is surrounded by a path 6m wide such that its area is equal to the area of the path. Calculate the length of the field. (c]

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
Candidates' performance in part (a) was reported to be poor. A good number of them were reported not to have attempted this part of the question. They were expected to recall that lkm = 100,000 ern, therefore 1km2 = 1km x 1km = 100,000 x 100,000 = 10,000 000,OOOcm2 2 85km = 850,000,000,000 em". 20,000 em on the ground = 1 cm on the map, hence 400,000,000 em2 on the ground = 1 cm22 on the ground is equivalent to 850,000,000,000 = 2125 cm2 on the map. 400,000,000 In part (b), candidates' performance was said to be better than it was in part (a). However, many candidates did not draw the diagram correctly and so were not able to solve the problem.

From the diagram, area of path = 2(30 x 6) + 12a = 360 + 12a. Area of field = 18a. Since they are equal, 18a = 12a + 360. This gave a = 60 m. In part (c), candidates' performance was described as fair. However, some candidates did not see the reflex angle as 360 - x, hence, did not subtract their final answer from 360 when they had calculated the value of the reflex angle. Here, 360 - x x 22x Z x Z = 27.5 cm2 360 7 22 This meant that 360 - x = 360 x 2 x 27.5 from where we obtain x = 103 to the nearest degree 77

Question 8
Using ruler and a pair of compasses only, (a) construct (i) a quadrilateral PQRS with IPSI :: 6 cm, LRSP:: 90, IRSI = 9 ern, IQRI = 8.4 cm and IPQI :: 5.4 cm; (ii) the bisectors of LRSP and LSPQ to meet at X; (iii) The perpendicular XTto meet PS at T. (b) Measure IXT/'

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
This question on geometrical construction was reported to be quite unpopular among the candidates. Very few of them attempted it and their performance was said to be poor. A good number of them measured the angles instead of constructing them. Others could not construct a perpendicular from a given point to a given line segment. Teachers are encouraged to emphasize this area of the syllabus

Question 9

In the diagram, /AB/ = 8 km, /BC/ = 13 km, the bearing of A from B is 310 and the bearing of B from C is 230. Calculate, correct to 3 significant figures, (a) the distance AC; (b) the bearing of C from A; (c) how far east of B, C is _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
This question was reported to have been attempted by majority of the candidates and their performance was described as satisfactory. However, most of them were reported not to calculate LABC correctly hence got wrong answers even though they were able to apply the cosine rule correctly to their wrong values. Others were not able to determine the required bearing correctly. The expected responses were as follows: LASC = 100. Therefore /AC/ = 82 + 132 - 2 (8)(13)cos100 which gave / AC/ = 16.4 km. sin (LCAS) = sin100. Hence, sin (LCAB) = 13Sin100 13 16.4 16.4 Simplifying gave LCAB = 51.32. Bearing of C from A = 180 - (50 + 51.32) = 079. If the distance of C east of B = BD, then BO = BC cas 40 = 13 x cas 40 = 9.96 km.

Question 10
(a) Copy and complete the table of values for the relation V = -X + X + 2 for -3 x 3. (b) Using scales of 2 cm to 1 unit on the x-axis and 2 cm to 2 units on the v-axis, draw a graph of the relation y = -X + X + 2. (c) From the graph, find the: (i)Minimum value of y; (ii)Roots of the equation X - x -2 = 0; (iii)Gradient of the curve at x = -0.5. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
This question was reported to have been attempted by majority of the candidates who were able to complete the table of values and plotted the graph correctly. However, majority ofthe candidates were reported not to draw the tangent to the curve as required. Hence they were unable to determine the gradient of the curve at x = -0.5.

Question 11
In the diagram, L.PTQ = L.PSR = 900, /PQ/ = 10 ern, /PS/ = 14.4 cm and /TQ/ = 6 cm. Calculate the area of quadrilateral QRST. (b) Two opposite sides of a square are each decreased by 10% while the other two are each increased by 15% to form a rectangle. Find the ratio of the area of the rectangle to that of the square. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
This question was reported not to be very popular and candidates' performance was described as not satisfactory. Majority of the candidates were reported not to apply the concept of similar triangles correctly. Others did not recognize the quadrilateral as a trapezium and so failed to use the correct formula when finding its area. Part (b) of the question was reported not to have been done satisfactorily either. Candidates were expected to show that: /PT/ = ..../102 - 62 = 8 cm. m: =!J2L i.e ~ = 14.4.Hence, /SR/ = 10.8 cm. /TO/ /SR/ 6 /SR/ Area of quadrilateral QRST = Yz (6 + 10.8) x 6.4 = 53.76 cm2. Some candidates were reported to have subtracted the area of triangle PQT from triangle PRS. This was also in order. In part (b) if the side of the square was y, then new breadth = 90 x y = 0.9y. 100 New length = 115 x Y = 1.15y. New area = 1.15y x 0.9y = 1.035/. 100 Hence, ratio = 1.035y : y = 1.035 : 1 or 207:200 .

Question 12
The frequency distribution of the weight of 100 participants in a high jump competition is as shown below:

Weight (kg) 20-29 Number of pa rtici pa nts 10

30 - 39 40 - 49 SO - 59 60 - 69 70-79 18 22 25 16 9

(a) Construct the cumulative frequency table. (b) Draw the cumulative frequency curve. (c) From the curve, estimate the: (i) median; (ii) semi-interquartile range; (iii) probability that a participant chosen at random weighs at least 60 kg. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
This question was reported to be attempted by majority of the candidates. According to the report, candidates' performance in this question was fair. Majority of them were reported not to have read from their Ogives correctly. Others did not draw the Ogive using class boundaries. The median was 49.5 while the first quartile(Ql) was 37.8 and the third Quartile (~)59.5. Hence, the semi-interquartile range Q1-Q1 = 59.5 - 32.8 = 10.85 1. 2 2 Number of participants who weighed at least 60kg = 25. Therefore probability of choosing a participant who weighed at least 60kg = 25= -.1 . 100 4

Question 13
(a)The third term of a Geometric Progression (G.P) is 24 and its seventh term is 4(20/27) .Find Its irst term. (b)Given that y varies directly as x and inversely as the square of z. If y = 4, when x = 3 and z = 1, find y when x = 3 and z = 2. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
This question was reported to have been attempted by majority of the candidates and their performance was commended. However in part (a), a few of them divided the indices instead of subtracting them. A few others were not able to manipulate the fraction involved. Part (b) was also well attempted and majority of them obtained full marks. The expected responses were as follows:

General Mathematics Paper 2, Nov/Dec 2009

Disclaimer - These questions and answers were taken from WAEC website and I am not in any way responsible for the correctness of the information or copyright. This is to help intending WAEC students have a downloadable copies of past WAEC exam questions and solutions.

Question 1
Simplify, without using tables or calculator 1. 2. 31/3 11/4 4/9; 2 + 96 - 4 (6 -1)2 and express your answer in the form m + n6 where

m and n are real numbers.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________

Observation
The part (a) of the question required the use of BODMAS rule, finding the LCM and simplifying. Most candidates were reported to have followed this procedure and were able to manipulate the fractions well. However, some candidates misinterpreted to mean + . Others subtracted first before dividing. 31/3 11/4 4/9 = 10/3 x 4/5 4/9 = 8/3 4/9 = 20/9 = 22/9 In part (b), many candidates reportedly found the expansion of (6 -1)2 quite challenging. Others could not reduce 96 to its lowest form. The expansion of (6 -1)2 = (6 -1) (6 -1) = 6 6 -6 + 1 = 7 - 26. 96 = 6 x 16 = 46 Therefore 2 + 96 4(6 -1)2 = 2 + 46 4(7-26) = 2 + 46 28 + 86 which after a little computation resulted in 26 + 126.

Question 2
(a) Solve the equation 4x-1 - 3x-1 = 5-2x 3 2 4 (b) From a shop, Kofi bought 2 singlets and 3 shirts for GH31.00 while Kwasi bought 3 singlets and 2 shirts for GH29.00. How much will Yaw pay for one singlet and one shirt he bought from the same shop?
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Observation
According to the chief examiner, part (a) of this question was well attempted by majority of the candidates. They were able to find the LCM of the denominators and cross multiply both sides of the equality sign by the LCM which was 12. Simplifying gave 4(x-1) - 6(3x 1) -3(5-2x) which further gave x = 31/4. In part (b), it was reported that the question was attempted by majority of the candidates who were able to form the simultaneous equation 2x + 3y = 31; 3x+2y = 29, solve these equation simultaneously to obtain x = 5 and y = 7. However, some of the candidates did not add these values to obtain the required price which was GH12.00.

Question 3
The probability that a malaria patient (M) survives when administered with a newly discovered drug is 0.27 and the probability that a thyphoid patient (T) survives when injected with another newly discovered drug is 0.85. What is the probability that either of the two patients survives? neither of two patients survive? at least one of the two patients survive?

Give your answers correct to 2 significant figures.

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Observation
It was reported that the performance of candidates in this question was not commendable. They found it difficult; hence they scored very low marks. They were expected to show that if P(M) = probability of the malaria patient surviving = 0.27, probability of not surviving, P(M) = 1- 0.27 = 0.73. Similarly, if P(T) = probability of the thypoid patient surviving = 0.85, then probability of not surviving = P(T1) = 1-P(T) = 1- 0.85 = 0.15. Probability of either surviving = (0.27 x 0.15) + (0.85 x 0.73) = 0.66. Probability of neither surviving = (0.73 x 0.15) = 0.11. Probability of at least one surviving = 1- 0.11 = 0.89.

Question 4
A sector of angle 135 is removed from a thin circular metal sheet of radius 40cm. It is then folded with the straight edges coinciding to form a right circular cone. Calculate the: base radius of the cone, correct to two decimal places greatest volume of liquid which the cone can hold, leaving your answer correct to the nearest cm3. (Take p = 22/7).
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Observation
The chief examiner reported that majority of the candidates attempted this question and many performed well. However, some candidates could not interpret the relationship between a cone and an arc of a circle correctly. While some candidates used the slant height of the cone as the height of the cone, others used the radius of the arc as the radius of the base of the cone. A few other candidates were not able to draw the diagram correctly.

This diagram would have aided them to establish that the length of the arc of the circle = circumference of the base of the cone and that the radius of the sector = slant height of the cone. i.e. 135/360 x 2 x p x 40/1 = 2 x p x r where r = base radius of cone. Simplifying gave r = 15cm. Slant height of cone, = l = 40cm, r = 15cm. Using pythagoras theorem, h2 + r2 = l 2 where h = perpendicular height of cone. \ h = 402 152 = 37.081 cm. Therefore volume of Cone = 1/3 x p x r2 x h

1 x 22 x 15 x 15 x 37.081 = 8741cm3 to the nearest cm3. 3 7 1 1

Question 5
(a)

In the diagram, the two circles intersect at X and Y. The centre of the smaller circle is on the circumference of the bigger circle. A and B are any two points on the major arcs, one on each circle. Find an equation connecting a and b.

(b)

In the diagram <QPR = <PTR = 90, /PR/ = 8cm and /QP/ = 6cm. Find /TR/.
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Observation
The report stated that majority of the candidates could not answer part (a) of this question correctly which showed a poor knowledge of circle theorems. They were expected to join X and Y to O. This made <XOY and <XAY opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral and are supplementary i.e. a + <XOY = 180. Also, <XOY = 2b i.e. angle at the centre of a circle is twice angle at the circumference. This implied that 2b = 180 - a or a + 2b = 180. It was reported that candidates performed better in part (b) than in part (a). A good number of them were able to find the tangent of the angle at R and hence the angle at R as 36.87. Thus, they were able to obtain /TR/ = 8 cos R i.e. 8 cos 36.87 = 6.4cm.

Question 6
(a) By how much is 110002 greater than or les than 1112 x 112? (b) A shopkeeper has in stock 20 televisions set percent. He sells 18 of them at a profit of 15 percent and the remaining two at a loss of 5 percentage. Find his profit on the 20 sets.
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Observation
The report also stated that although majority of the candidates attempted part (a) of the question and performed well in it, it was observed that majority of them converted first to base ten, solved it and converted back to base 2. Very few candidates were reported to have worked in base 2. 1112 = 112 = 101012. 110002 101012 = 112. In part (b), majority of the candidates were reported to have found the question quite challenging. They were expected to show that if p is the cost price of a television set, then the total sales for 18 sets = 115 x 18p = 20.7p. Similarly, total 100 sales for 2 sets = 95/100 x 2p = 1.9p. Therefore total sales on the 20 sets x 20.7p + 1.9p = 22.6p. Total cost price on the 20 sets = 20p. Hence, percentage profit = 22.6p 20p x 100 = 13%. 20p 1

Question 7
The marks scored by 50 students in a Geography examination are as follows: 60 44 46 65 71 1. 2. 3. 4. 54 69 59 58 51 40 39 40 74 26 67 32 52 47 36 53 45 61 40 38 73 58 48 59 70 37 48 23 68 46 55 67 60 51 40 62 39 59 50 51 43 51 47 50 42

Using a class interval of 21-30, 31-40, , prepare a frequency distribution table. Draw a histogram to represent the distribution. Use your histogram to estimate the modal mark. If a student is selected at random, find the probability that he/she obtains a mark greater than 63.

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Observation
This was also another question which was reportedly attempted by majority of the candidates and their performance was described as fair. It was also reported that many candidates drew bar charts instead of histograms while others did not use class boundaries in drawing the graph but they rather used class limits. Interpretation of the graph was also an observed challenge. The grouped frequency table is given by Class f Cf Class Interval Boundary 21-30 2 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 2 10 12 15 8 3 20.5 - 30.5 12 30.5 - 40.5 24 40.5 - 50.5 39 50.5 - 60.5 47 60.5 - 70.5 50 70.5 - 80.5

The graph is given below

The modal mark derived from the graph = 53 while the probability = no. of candidates who scored marks greater than 63 total number of students i.e. 9/50 = 0.18.

Question 8
The area of a rectangular football field is 7200m2 while its perimeter is 360m. calculate the: 1. 2. 3. dimensions of the field; cost of clearing the field at N6.50 per square meter, leaving a margin of 2m wide along the longer sides; percentage of the part not cleared.

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Observation
It was reported that majority of the candidates who attempted this question were able to derive the two equations i.e. if x = length of field and y = breadth, then xy = 7200; x + y = 180. They were able to solve these equations and also obtained the dimensions as 60m and 120m. However, attempt on the parts (b) and (c) was poorly handed by some of the candidates. Many took the margin to be all round the field but the question specified along the longer sides. Thus cost of clearing the field = N6.50 x 56 x 120 = N43,680.00. The percentage of the part not cleared = 7200 (120 x 56) x 100 = 62/3 or 6.67% 7200 Candidates, who sketched the diagram, were reported to have performed well in the question.

Question 9
In the diagram, a ladder LN 10m long, rests on a wall 4.5m high such that 2.5m of it projects beyond the wall. 1. 2. Calculate, correct to one decimal place, the angle which the ladder makes with the ground. How high above the ground is the upper end of the ladder?

If the foot of the ladder is moved by 2m further away from the wall, calculate, correct to the nearest degree, the angle which the ladder makes with the ground
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Observation
Candidates attempt on this question was fair especially parts (a) and (b). Many of them missed the (c) part because they did not quite understand what would happen as the ladder was moved by 2m further away from the wall. If the foot of ladder is moved a further 2m away from the wall, LP becomes (6 + 2)m = 8m, tanx = 4.5/8 and from the tables, x = 29, to the nearest degree

Question 10
In a class of 200 students, 70 offered Physics, 90 Chemistry, 100 Mathematics while 24 did not offer any of the three subjects. Twenty three (23) students offered Physics and Chemistry, 41 Chemistry and Mathematics while 8 offered all three subjects. Draw a Venn diagram to illustrate the information. Find the probability that a student selected at random from the class offered: o Physics only; o Exactly two of the subjects.
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Observation
This question was popular and the candidates did well in it. Though many were able to draw the correct Venn diagram, they could not determine the correct number of students who offered physics and those who offered exactly two of the subjects. Hence, they could not find the required probabilities. They were expected to denote the number of those who offered Physics and Chemistry only by a variable say x, equate the entries to 200 to get 100 + x + 49 x + 47 x + 24 = 200, from where x = 20. Number who offered Physics only = 47 20 = 27. Therefore probability of those who offered Physics only = 27/200. Number of those who offered exactly 2 subjects = 15 + 20 + 33 = 68. Probability of those who offered exactly 2 subjects = 68/200 = 17/50

Question 11
Using ruler and a pair of compasses only, construct a quadrilateral PQRS in which /QR/ = 6cm, <PQR = 90o, <QRS = 120, /RS/ = 8cm and /PQ/ = /PS/. Measure /PQ/.
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Observation
This question was unpopular as usual. The few candidates who attempted it were able to construct angles 90 and 120 as required of them. However, they were unable to locate the point P and this cost them some marks. Some others drew the angles instead of constructing them

Question 12

In the diagram, /PR/ = /RQ/, /RS/ = 10cm <RPS = 70o and <PQR = 30. Calculate /PS/. (b) Two points A and B lie on the parallel of latitude 60oN. A lies on longitude 20oE and B is 1500km due east of A. Calculate the: radius of the parallel of latitude on which they lie; longitude on which point B lies correct to the nearest degree. ( Take = 3.142, radius of the earth = 6400km)
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Observation
The part (a) of the question was well interpreted by most of the candidates who attempted the question. They were able to get <PRS = 60 and apply the sine rule correctly. In part (b), most candidates got the radius of the latitude but could not go further to find the longitude of B by adding 20 to the calculated.

Question 13
(a) The first term of an Arithmetic Progression (A.P.) is 31 and the common difference is 9. Show that the nth term is 9n + 22. Hence, find the 20th term.

o o o

common ratio; first term; eighth term.

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Observation
Many candidates were able to show that the nth term is 9n + 22 but they did not use this formula to calculate the 20th term. Rather, they used the general formula which was not required of them. They were expected to substitute 20 for n in the expression to get 9(20) + 22 = 202. Candidates also performed well in the (b) part of the question. They were able to derive the equations ar = 1 and ar4 =1/8 . However, some of them were not able to solve for a and r correctly because of the fraction involved and this also affected their getting the eighth term correctly.

Questions 14 and 15 were not meant for candidates in Nigeria and no responses were required.