1999 - JAMB Mathematics Past Questions and Answers - page 1

1
A group of market women sell at least one of yam, plantain and maize. 12 of them sell maize, 10 sell yam and 14 sell plantain. 5 sell plantain and maize, 4 sell yam and maize, 2 sell yam and plantain only while 3 sell all the three items. How many women are in the group?
A
25
B
19
C
18
D
17
correct option: a
Let the three items be M, Y and P.
n{M ∩ Y} only = 4-3 = 1
n{M ∩ P) only = 5-3 = 2
n{ Y ∩ P} only = 2
n{M} only = 12-(1+3+2) = 6
n{Y} only = 10-(1+2+3) = 4
n{P} only = 14-(2+3+2) = 7

Number of women in the group = 6+4+7+(1+2+2+3) as above =25 women.
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2
If log 10 to base 8 = X, evaluate log 5 to base 8 in terms of X.
A
\(\frac{1}{2}\)X
B
X-\(\frac{1}{4}\)
C
X-\(\frac{1}{3}\)
D
X-\(\frac{1}{2}\)
correct option: c
\(log_810\) = X = \(log_8{2 x 5}\)

\(log_82\) + \(log_85\) = X
Base 8 can be written as \(2^3\)
\(log_82 = y\)
therefore \(2 = 8^y\)
\(y = \frac{1}{3}\)

\(\frac{1}{3} = log_82\)

taking \(\frac{1}{3}\) to the other side of the original equation

\(log_85 = X-\frac{1}{3}\)

explanation courtesy of Oluteyu and Ifechuks
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3
Find the value of X if \(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{x+\sqrt{2}}=\frac{1}{x-\sqrt{2}}\)
A
3√2+4
B
3√2-4
C
3-2√2
D
4+2√2
correct option: a
Start your solution by cross-multiplying, then collect like terms and factorize accordingly to get the unknown.
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4
If \(\frac{(a^2 b^{-3}c)^{\frac{3}{4}}}{a^{-1}b^{4}c^{5}}=a^{p} b^{q} c^{r}\) What is the value of p+2q?
A
(5/2)
B
-(5/4)
C
-(25/4)
D
-10
correct option: d
Hint: apply basic mathematics rules beginning from BODMAS to algebra, and follow solution carefully to arrive at p =(5/2), q = -(25/4) and r = -(9/2).

Then p+2q will give you \(\frac{5}{2}+2\left(\frac{-25}{4}\right)= -10\)
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5
If {(a2b-3c)3/4/a-1b4c5} = apbqcr; what is the value of p+2q?
A
(5/2)
B
-(5/4)
C
-(25/4)
D
-10
correct option: d
Hint: Use BODMAS and algebra to arrive at the values of P = 5/2, q = -25/4 and r = -9/2.
Then substitute the values of p and q into p+2q to get -10.
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6
A trader bought 100 oranges at 5 for N1.20, 20 oranges got spoilt and the remaining were sold at 4 for N1.50. Find the percentage gain or loss.
A
30% gain
B
25% gain
C
30% loss
D
25% loss
correct option: b
Cost price (cp) = (100/5) x N1.20 =N24.00
Selling price (sp) = 100-20 = 80
(80/4) x N1.50 = N30.00

Gain = SP-CP = N30.00-N24.00 = N6.00
Gain% = (gain/CP) x 100 = 25%
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7
What is the answer when 24346 is divided by 426?
A
236
B
356
C
526
D
556
correct option: b
Hint: Two methods can be used;
1. Direct division (if you know division in number bases)
2. Convert both sides to base 10, divide and convert your answer back to base 6. Your answer should be 356
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8
If 29 x (3Y)9 = 35 x (3Y)5, find the value of Y.
A
4
B
3
C
2
D
1
correct option: d
The correct answer is 1.
PROVE==> (2x90) (3x90 + Yx91) = (3x50)(3x50 + Yx51).
You multiply to get 2(3+9Y)=3(3+5Y).
You further multiply to get 6+18Y=9+15Y. ==>
Collect like terms 18Y-15Y=9-6.
3Y/3=3/3.
Y=1
Explanation Credit:
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9
Simplify \(\sqrt{\frac{(0.0023*750)}{(0.00345*1.25)}}\)
A
15
B
20
C
40
D
75
correct option: b
Multiply appropriately to remove decimals on both numerator and denominators. Such that you have \(\sqrt{\frac{(2300x750)}{(345x125)}}
Dividing, => \sqrt400 = 20\).
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10
If \(m*n = (\frac{m}{n} - \frac{n}{m}\)) for m, n belong to R, evaluate -3*4
A
\(\frac{-25}{12}\)
B
\(\frac{-7}{12}\)
C
\(\frac{7}{12}\)
D
\(\frac{25}{12}\)
correct option: c
\(m*n = \frac{m}{n}-\frac{n}{m}
= \frac{-3}{4} - \frac{4}{-3}
= \frac{-3}{4} + \frac{4}{3}
= \frac{(-9+16)}{12}
= \frac{7}{12}\)
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