2001 - WAEC Mathematics Past Questions and Answers - page 3

21

The graph of the curve \(y = 2x^2 - 5x - 1\) and a straight line PQ were drawn to solve the equation \(2x^2 - 5x + 2 = 0\)
What is the equation of the straight line PQ?

A
y = -1
B
y = 1
C
y = 3
D
y = -3
correct option: d

Let the straight line PQ = y

2x\(^2\) - 5x - 1 - y = 2x\(^2\) - 5x + 2

y = 2x\(^2\) - 5x - 1 - 2x\(^2\) + 5x - 2 

y = -3

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22

Subtract (-y + 3x + 5z) from (4y - x - 2z)

A
5y - 4x - 7z
B
3y + 2x + 3z
C
-5y + 4x + 7z
D
2x - 5y + 3z
correct option: a

(4y - x - 2z) - (-y + 3x + 5z)

= 4y + y - x - 3x - 2z - 5z

= 5y - 4x - 7z

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23

If \(y \propto \frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}\) and x = 16 when y = 2, find x when y = 24

A
\(\frac{1}{9}\)
B
\(\frac{1}{6}\)
C
\(\frac{1}{3}\)
D
\(\frac{2}{3}\)
correct option: a

\(y \propto \frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}\)

\(y = \frac{k}{\sqrt{x}}\)

When x = 16, y = 2.

\(2 = \frac{k}{\sqrt{16}} \implies 2 = \frac{k}{4}\)

\(k = 8\)

\(y = \frac{8}{\sqrt{x}}\)

When y = 24,

\(24 = \frac{8}{\sqrt{x}}\)

\(\sqrt{x} = \frac{8}{24} = \frac{1}{3}\)

\(\therefore x = (\frac{1}{3})^2\)

\(x = \frac{1}{9}\)

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24
If 2x : (x +1) = 3:2, what is the value of x?
A
\(\frac{1}{2}\)
B
1
C
\(1\frac{1}{2}\)
D
3
correct option: d
\(2x : (x + 1) = 3:2\
\frac{2x}{x+1}=\frac{3}{2}\
∴ 4x = 3x + 3 x =3\)
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25

The bearing S40°E is the same as

A
040o
B
050o
C
130o
D
140o
correct option: d

= 90° + 50°

= 140°

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26
Given that sin \(P = \frac{5}{13}\), where p is acute, find the value of cos p - tan p
A
\(\frac{79}{156}\)
B
\(\frac{85}{156}\)
C
\(\frac{7}{13}\)
D
\(\frac{8}{1}\)
correct option: a
If \(sin P = \frac{5}{13}\) from right angled triangle from pythagoras theorem
\(BC^2 = 13^2 - 5^2\
=169-25\
BC = \sqrt{144} = 12\
∴ cos P - tan P = \frac{12}{13} - \frac{5}{12}\
=\frac{79}{156}\)
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27

Three observation posts P,Q and R are such that Q is due east of P and R is due north of Q. If |PQ| = 5km and |PR| = 10km, find |QR|

A
5.0km
B
7.5km
C
7.6km
D
8.7km
correct option: d

\((PR)^2 = (PQ)^2 + (QR)^2\)

\(10^2 = 5^2 + (QR)^2\)

\((QR)^2 = 100 - 25\)

\(QR = \sqrt{75}\)

= \(8.660\)

\(\approxeq\) 8.7 km

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28

Express 25° 45' in decimal (Hint: 1° = 60')

A
25.75o
B
25.55o
C
25.45o
D
25.15o
correct option: a

25° 45' = 25° + \(\frac{45}{60}\)°

= 25° + 0.75°

= 25.75°

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29

A box contains 5 red, 3 green and 4 blue balls. A boy is allowed to take away two balls from the box. What is the probability that the two balls are red?

A
\(\frac{5}{33}\)
B
\(\frac{5}{36}\)
C
\(\frac{103}{132}\)
D
\(\frac{31}{36}\)
correct option: a

Total number of balls = 5 + 3 + 4 

= 12 balls

P(first ball is red) = \(\frac{5}{12}\)

P(second ball is red) = \(\frac{4}{11}\)

\(\therefore\) P(both balls are red) = \(\frac{5}{12} \times \frac{4}{11}\)

= \(\frac{5}{33}\)

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30

A box contains 5 red, 3 green and 4 blue balls. A boy is allowed to take away two balls from the box. What is the probability that one is green and the other is blue?

A
\(\frac{2}{11}\)
B
\(\frac{5}{12}\)
C
\(\frac{8}{12}\)
D
\(\frac{7}{11}\)
correct option: a

Total number of balls = 5 + 3 + 4 = 12 balls

P(one ball is green and the other is blue) = P(first ball is green and second blue) + P(first ball is blue and the second green)

 = \(\frac{3}{12} \times \frac{4}{11} + \frac{4}{12} \times \frac{3}{11}\)

= \(\frac{2}{11}\)

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